'Found in Khanom' a film by Mutmee Pimdao

Found in Khanom Synopsis

It tells the story of a young Japanese man carrying loneliness and confusion in his heart. He sets out on a journey to search for something missing in his life, only to stumble upon Khanom, a small seaside town that allows his heart to finally breathe. Surrounded by warm-hearted people and stunning nature, he unexpectedly falls in love with himself once again. In Khanom… freedom smells like the sea, beauty mirrors the sky, the past does not define the present, and loneliness isn’t always cruel.

Director Statement:

"Found in Khanom was born from my own encounters with solitude and the search for belonging. I wanted to capture the fragile, quiet moments when one feels both lost and found at the same time. Khanom, with its gentle rhythm of life, the sea breeze, and the kindness of its people, became more than just a backdrop — it was a mirror of the inner journey. Through this film, I wished to show that loneliness can be a teacher, that beauty often lies in simplicity, and that sometimes, in the most unexpected places, we rediscover the love we once forgot to give ourselves. This story is not only about a Japanese traveler, but also about me, and perhaps about anyone who has ever longed to breathe freely again" - Pimdao Panichsamai 

Director Bio

Mutmee Pimdao Panichsamai finished her secondary education at Chitralada School and her BFA (2nd honors) in western music at the Faculty of Fine and Applied Arts, Chulalongkorn University. She currently works as an artist, singer, actor and experimental filmmaker. 

Mutmee fell in love with singing and acting at a very young age. She auditioned for Si Phaendin: The Musical and was cast as the young Mae Phloi. Her subsequent acting and directing classes with ML Bhandevanov Devakula, enhanced her interest in performing arts as well as art of living. She then aspired to create her own works and by far has made three short films, focusing on movement, lighting and theatricality with stories involving the human mind and global society.  

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Mutmee’s theatre acting works include Si Phaendin: The Musical, Klai Kangwon: Musical on the Beach and Yat Phet: The Musical. For television drama series, she has performed in “Puntai Norasingh,” “Luead Mungkorn,” “Mhom,” “Sri Ayodhaya” and “Love in a Cage.” Her experimental short films are Starlight, winner of “Best Experimental Short” (Best Global Shorts, India); Maya, “Honourable Mention” (Around International Film Festival: ARFF, Berlin); and Fear which has won 22 awards from 14 international film festivals, including “Best Experimental Film” (British International Film Festival: BIFF, UK) and “Best Short Film” (NYC Independent Film Festival).

Latest Work

A Cage of Fragile Heart — Live performance at River City Bangkok

She was also one of the featured artists in the Bangkok Art Biennale 2024, presenting a work titled Are you ok?

Currently, Pimdao Panichsamai resides in Bangkok, Thailand, where she continues to create her art.

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A short film by Mutmee Pimdao Panichsamai 🌊💫A wandering soul discovers freedom, beauty, and a quiet sense of belonging in a small seaside town.📍 Spoonful Zakka Café, Sukhumvit 32

September 7, 14, 21 | 14:00–16:00📍 Fotoclub, CharoenkrungSeptember 26, 27, 28 | 14:00–16:00This 7-minute short film will be screened in a continuous loop ✨ Free admission ✨Poster by @petewstr