The National Federation of Motion Pictures and Contents Associations (MPC) has chosen Nattawut "Baz" Poonpiriya’s 3rd feature film, “One for the Road” (2022), to compete for 95th Academy Awards' Best International Feature Film. 

 

Directed by Nattawut “Baz” Poonpiriya—the same mind behind the successful “Bad Genius” (2017)—and backed by Hong Kong film director Wong Kar-wai, “One for the Road” follows two buddies on their road to redemption from their ex-girlfriends, not knowing their reunion would open wounds for everyone they meet. 

 

Following its premier at the 2021 Sundance Film Festival, “One for the Road” has gathered several awards, including the Special Jury Award for Creative Vision in the World Cinema Dramatic Competition and Best Asian Feature (Bronze Audience Award) from Fantasia International Film Festival 2022.

 

In spite of the accolades, “One for the Road” hasn’t gained positive reviews at home, specifically for its meandering plot and the fragile masculinity central to its narrative. Its grand cinematic aesthetics are unquestionable—after all, the film is co-produced by none other than the illustrious Wong Kar-wai—but without the depth of character to sustain the story. It struggles to deliver its intended message to the audience—if it had any to begin with. 

 

“One for the Road” is available for streaming on Netflix. Following the film’s release in Thailand, Bazz, along with several others involved in the making of the film, decided to open OFTR, a bar taken out of his film with cocktails to match.