Draft:The Last Breath of Sam Yan

The Last Breath of Sam Yan (Thai: ลมหายใจเฮือกสุดท้ายของสามย่าน) is a Thai documentary film directed by Prempapat Plittapolkranpim. Produced by the well-known activist Netiwit Chotiphatphaisal and Settanant Thanakitkoses The film addresses the conflicts between the Chao Mae Thap Thim or goddess of the sea shrine and Chulalongkorn University, particularly Property Management of Chulalongkorn University. It was released on June 15, 2023. The film premiered at House Samyan theater on June 13, 2023.

Synopsis
The film follows a group of students who oppose the demolition of the Chao Mae Thap Thim to make way for a new high-rise building. The documentary features interviews with various stakeholders, including academics like Sulak Sivaraksa, Wasana Wongsurawat, politicians like Chadchart Sittipunt, the governor of Bangkok along with discussions on the development plan of Chulalongkorn University's Smart City project by its President, Bundhit Eua-arporn .

Screenings and Distribution
“The Last Breath of Sam Yan” premiered at House Samyan on June 13, 2023, followed by commercial screenings at the same venue and at the Doc Club and Pub starting June 15, 2023. The documentary was further showcased in special screenings at the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of Thailand on June 29, 2023, and also reached audiences in the Thai provinces of Songkhla, Chiang Mai, and Nakhon Ratchasima. Reflecting its international appeal, the film was officially selected for participation in several film festivals abroad, including the Student World Impact Film Festival 2023 in the United States, the Jagran Film Festival 2023 in India, and the Lane Doc Fest 2023 in Jackson, Tennessee, USA. Expanding its accessibility, “The Last Breath of Sam Yan” was added to the streaming platform Netflix on February 9, 2024, thereby making it available to a global audience and further extending its reach beyond traditional theatrical screenings.

Reception
Max Crosbie-Jones, reviewing for Nikkei Asia, praised the film for depicting the students' dedication to preserving the shrine's cultural significance and their proactive stance towards reshaping the approach of a respected university. Crosbie-Jones also highlighted the film's exploration of the adverse effects of cultural heritage reclamation and demolition, emphasizing the need for responsible preservation.

The documentaries' portrayal of the struggle against gentrification and the erasure of cultural heritage has been favorably received within academic circles, underscoring its role in increasing awareness about these significant challenges in urban development.