Lakorn Lek, the puppet show was started in the royal palace many,many years ago
The old stories of gods, heroes and demons
You can see the same stories done in Khon show done by dancers in masks
Though Lakorn Lek was considered precious art, people look down on Khon as low class
Those Khon troupes go around and put shows wherever people want to see them
But their lives aren't easy and they don't earn much
People preferred seeing Lakorn Lek and the master became rich and famous
They say that puppet troupe leaders put a spell on their puppets
to stop anyone outside their family from performing with them
( The Wheel ) a Nonzee Nimibutr Film
These puppets are imbued with my life and soul
When my time comes, they should pass on with me
Any person who dares to resist or disobey these words...
...will know disaster and an agonizing death!
Don't hurt me!
I'm scared!
Master Tao! It's me -- Gaan!
Let go of me!
I'm scared! Don't hurt me!
Don't be too sad, wife
Death comes to all of us
Sister, you were too young to die!
What happened, Gaan? Why did Master Tao...
...send his wife and son out on the boat at night?
I overheard Master Tao...
...telling his wife to drown the puppets
Drown them?
Why would he want to get rid of them?
He loved his puppets!
Was he afraid that someone would steal them?
He'd rather destroy them than lose them?
There's a curse on those puppets, Master Tong
A curse?
Since Master Tao fell ill...
...he's often raved about the curse in his sleep
I took no notice at first
But then bad things began happening...
...to members of our troupe
Several people ran away
So I began to believe in the curse
You think the curse caused Nuan and Little Dang to drown?
Master Tao knew something bad was coming
Why else did he want the puppets destroyed?
Maybe he made up the curse story...
so that no one would dare steal his treasured puppets
Please excuse me, I must go back to look after Master Tao
Be comforted, wife
Master!
Help!
Master Tao's house is on fire?
Quick!
Hurry!
Quick!
May he rest in peace
I don't like this
Wife, don't take what Gaan said too seriously
I don't believe in the curse
Then how do you explain what has happened?
It was his karma, wife
Now that it's over we should leave, shouldn't we?
Please?
Please!
No!?
I'm staying!
Bua, don't go in there!
Now your fortune is mine, you bastard Tao!
What is that?
It's a piece of net, Master
Master Tong, are you alright?
I'm fine
You may go now
Come here, Gaan
Have you ever performed Khon, Gaan?
Never, Master...
Master Tao only taught me puppetry
I was still learning from him when he fell ill
If you want to learn Khon, I can teach you
Really? What if he dances like a wooden puppet?
I wouldn't be able to stop laughing till my last breathe
Are you hurt?
Bua!
Where did you get that? Give it to Grandma!
Give it to me now!
Give it to Grandma now!
Mother... calm down... tell me what is it...
Master, I mean no disrespect
but please be wary of the curse!
You think it was caused by the curse?
Fine!
Well then...
I'll undo the curse myself!
Now it's my time, you bastard Tao!
Your puppet is in pieces!
We'll see what your curse can do to me!
Hear me well, all of you
These are new puppets and I'm the one who makes them live
You too will have a fresh start and...
...Iead better lives than before
I and I alone control the spirit and destiny...
...of these new puppets
May all that is sacred be my witness
Master? What's wrong?
I don't know
There's a sudden pain in my leg
Father, let me handle the hero puppet instead of Gaan
Why should l?
Because he is stealing my girl away from me!
That's nonsense?
After all, he's a better puppeteer than you're?
That's an excuse! Why're you against me?
Because you're as bitter and violent as the demon Tosagan!
Father...
...am I so much like a demon, Father?
Good luck to you all
Im, help me back to the boat
These puppets are imbued with my life and soul
When my time comes, they should pass on with me
Any person who dares to resist or disobey these words...
... will know disaster and an agonizing death!
You will know an agonizing death!
No! No!
Come on, Master Tao! You don't scare me!
Die, you accursed thing!
Where the hell are you?
You two deserve to die!
Scum of the earth!
Ghosts!
Help!
Help! Fire!
Father.....!!
Bua, my daughter... Let's get away from here
Bua...
No! Don't touch it!
What are you doing?
Bua!
No!
What is that?
It's a piece of net, Master
Gaan, you think these puppets are cursed?
Yes, Master!
What is it?
Nothing... You can go now