Update: This event has been canceled in light of the death of His Late Majesty King Bhumibol

BANGKOK — A man’s death underscored the long suffering of a rural community west of Bangkok poisoned by lead contamination in the 2013 documentary “By the River.”

Now another stricken Klity community member featured in the film is too ill too work, so the film’s director has organized a charity screening of the film to help with his medical bills.

Organ appeared in “By the River” as a strong man living with his blind mother in the Lower Klity village in Kanchanaburi province, where a factory polluted their water supply for more than 15 years.

Advertisement

Read: Poisoned Lives: After 13 Years, Klity Community Prevails Over Lead Mine

The sole source for the community’s survival is the creek, and its pollution killed or crippled many living there. Organ is now sick and unable to earn a living, help his mother or even travel to the city hospital for treatment.

As a result, director Nontawat Numbenchapol and the Documentary Club are inviting people to a free screening of the film where they can also make a donation to help the ailing man.

The film premiered at the 2013 Locarno International Film Festival where it grasped a Special Mention Award.

After the screening, there will be a discussion in Thai on the rehabilitation of the Klity community, led by Nontawat and experts from a Karen aid organization and Klity representatives.

Collected donations will go directly to paying for Organ’s expenses, including medical bills and getting to the hospital.

The film screening starts at 4pm on Oct. 15 in the auditorium on the fifth floor of the Bangkok Art and Cultural Centre. Free tickets will be available starting at 2pm. The venue can be reached by skywalk from BTS National Stadium.

Organ, the man on the left, with his blind mother from the documentary “By the River”. Photo: Nontawat Numbenchapol / Courtesy.
Organ, the man on the left, with his blind mother from the documentary “By the River”. Photo: Nontawat Numbenchapol / Courtesy.
Photo: Withit Chanthamarit / Courtesy.
Photo: Withit Chanthamarit / Courtesy.
Advertisement