THE SAGE OF ASSUMPTION
F. Hilaire, a film based on the life of a Thai language academic and Catholic priest, isn’t for everyone
Were you a student from a strict school with a fearful headmaster, whose mere voice made you tremble? If yes, F. Hilaire promises to take you down memory lane. F. Hilaire, in cinemas today, is not an ordinary film; it is under the helm of Assumption College Alumnus Association, who produced the movie in celebration of the school’s 130th anniversary and to raise funds for the Brother Hilaire Foundation — a charity which provides scholarships for students to pursue an education in the Thai language.
The movie is inspired by the life of Frere Hilaire, amicably known among students, teachers and alumnus as Brother Hilaire, a French Catholic priest who served as headmaster of Assumption College Bang Rak from 1901-1968, and authored Daroon Suksa, a Thai language grammar textbook. Brother Hilaire was also known as the “Sage of Assumption”.
The movie is directed by admaker-turned-director Suraswadi Chaichua. To make the film appeal to younger audiences, the female director cast heart-throb Jason Young, an Australian-Thai actor, as Brother Hilaire. She also created fictitious characters to transform the movie. One of those characters is Pongsathorn, played by DJ and actor Paranyoo “Tack” Rojanavutidham, a corky, young Thai language teacher who is facing a life crisis. He is heartbroken after his academic adviser rejects his master’s degree thesis proposal on the life of the late French priest. Pongsathorn reflects the stereotypical Thai and their behaviour towards foreigners. For him, Brother Hilaire is just “another farang” who did something “cool” by writing a children’s textbook.
“If you cannot be more analytical and present the life of Brother Hilaire with his deep influence on the education system and his role in social context, you should abandon this thesis project,” says the thesis adviser in the movie.
Like any overly confident youngster, Pongsathorn’s ego is shattered and then he does as others of his generation do — gets drunk, locks himself in a room and hallucinates about the late French priest in his alcohol-driven quasi dream.
The movie alternates between two characters who live in two different times — the past and the present, with the use of dream sequence, jiggling editing and special effects to add excitement.
The past depicts the life of Brother Hilaire, who is also known as Francois Touvenet, who left France for Siam in 1901. The movie focuses on his humanistic mindset, his love of the Thai language, his determination, and above all, his love of God and compassion that influences his approach to educate and discipline Pongsathorn.
It is impossible for the filmmaker to win over all audiences. Those familiar with Brother Hilaire might feel bits and pieces of his life are missing. Prominent Thai scholar and social critic Sulak Sivaraksa said: “The film will cater to younger audiences. But it is not for me.” Sulak is also a biographer of Brother Hilaire.
Many anecdotes that tell the in-depth picture of Brother Hilaire are omitted. For example, the fact that the manuscript of Daroon Suksa was revised time and time again by Prince Damrong was not mentioned. In reality, this late Catholic priest, according to Sulak, was a staunch royalist with close ties to the royal family. When Field Marshall Plaek Phibunsongkhram came into powe er, Brother Hilaire had to leave the countrytry temporarily.
“Father Hilaire was a conservative rightwinger. For him, the French Revolution was wrong, while Jean Jacque Russo and Voltaire could never be right,” said Sulak.
“Father Hilaire believed that God created the world and even quoted the year when the world was created. But above all, he was a priest who believed in modesty and compassion.” In the movie, Assumption College decided to avoid sensitive political issues and omits the priest’s role in translating French war documents for the Thai government, according to Brother Dechachai Sripicharn, director of Assumption College Bangkok. F. Hilaire reflects the beloved dean’s impact on education and the history of an important foreigner in Thai society.
“Apart from learning about a foreigner who was in love with this country, the au udience will think about educatio on, which is underpinned by the rel lationship between students and tea achers … an education system in whi ich teachers not only educate but groo om the character and morality of ch hildren.”
F. Hilaire will have the audience ques stion the role of teachers in the educa ation system. What type of education n system works for Thai society? What types of teachers befit modern-day students?
It is hard to judge whether Brother Hilaire’s renowned caning system that disciplined many students into movers and shakers — among them four prime ministers and 15 privy councillors, would work today. But if he were alive, a plethora of parents would trust Brother Hilaire to look after — and perhaps spank — their children some more.
He was a conservative rightwinger. For him, the French Revolution was wrong