Vijchika Udomsrianan

วิจฉิกา อุดมศรีอนันต์
Project

Seven Days to Ripe

Fufu in Paradise
The Birthmark

One Thousand Dreams at a Time
Host


Publication

Baby and the Magical Peach
Garuda Oppa


Collaboration

Nanglerng Community Lab
IMPOSITION
Shone Puipia: dawn chorus, dusk calls
Shone Puipia: Antwerp 2012 - 2016


About

vijchika@gmail.com
instagram

The Birthmark


Story and screenplay development
Shortlisted for Early Years Project #8, 
Bangkok Art and Culture Centre (BACC)
2024
This work began as a way to understand a profound shift in my relationship with my mother. It became a means of navigating our evolving bond amid societal expectations of motherhood. Drawing from Thai spiritual traditions where female figures such as Mae Phra Thorani, Mae Khongkha, Mae Posop, and Mae Sue embody protection and care, I merge traditional beliefs with contemporary perspectives.

I reimagine Mae Sue, a guardian spirit believed to watch over newborns, through fantasy storytelling infused with internet memes. Traditionally a celestial figure assigned to protect each child, Mae Sue reflects deeply ingrained ideas of care, duty, and femininity. In my interpretation, she becomes a lens to examine and question contemporary myths and expectations of motherhood in Thai society.



Synopsis
A woman from a rural village named Nongkran was born during the reign of King Rama III. Nongkran died of cholera, which caused her to be separated from her infant daughter, Abigail. Nongkran was then reincarnated as an angel in the Heavenly Realm. One day, Nongkran dreamed of a child from the present day, whom she believed to be Abigail, as the child had the same hippopotamus shaped birthmark under her eye. This prompted Nongkran to abandon the luxury life in heaven and transformed into Mae Sue spirit. A conflict arose between Nongkran and the human mother who gave birth to Abigail, as well as with Abigail herself, over the role of being the ‘perfect’ mother.

Full screenplay and storyboard available upon request.

Excerpt from Storyboard
Nongkran gave birth to Abigail.
Abigail had a Moodeng shaped birthmark under her eye.
Abigail was taken away from Nongkran due to a cholera infection.
Nongkran died from cholera.
Nongkran was reborn as an angel in the Heavenly Realm.
Nongkran applied to work at Mae Sue company under God Vessavana.
Nongkran completed her Mae Sue training course.
Nongkran descended to care for little Abigail in the Mortal Realm.
Abigail frequently clashed with her mother.
Nongkran tried to murder Abigail to take her back to the Heavenly Realm.
Abigail sat on the rooftop of the mall pondering about her life and her relationship with her mother.
Nongkran and Abigail lived together again in the Heavenly Realm.