a Doc both inspires and informs explains Pailin Wedel in this highlight of his episode of Filming in Thailand.
Pailin Wedel, a Thai-American photojournalist, film director, and producer, has emerged as a prominent figure in documentary filmmaking, recognized for her innovative approach to storytelling. Her acclaimed documentary “Hope Frozen” (2018) gained international distribution through Netflix in 2020, exploring the poignant and controversial topic of cryonic preservation in Thailand. The film sparked a significant debate on the ethical implications of cryonics, particularly within Thailand’s predominantly Buddhist society.
Before her success with “Hope Frozen,” Wedel produced the documentary series “Operation Thailand,” which delved into Thailand’s burgeoning medical tourism industry. She also directed several impactful episodes of Al Jazeera’s weekly current affairs series “101 East,” covering diverse and challenging topics such as methamphetamine production in Southeast Asia and the political tensions in Myanmar during the 2015 elections.
Wedel’s journey into the world of film and video journalism followed a richly diverse upbringing and education. Born to Yuangrat Wedel, a professor of political philosophy, and Paul Wedel, a journalist and former president of Kenan Foundation Asia, she grew up in multiple countries across Asia. After graduating with a degree in biology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2004, Wedel’s career took a decisive turn towards journalism. She honed her skills in photography at The News & Observer in Raleigh, North Carolina, before teaching herself video production. Her work eventually graced international outlets such as National Geographic and The New York Times.
In addition to her directorial and production roles, Wedel and her husband co-founded 2050 Productions, a Bangkok-based documentary team, in 2016. Their collaborative efforts have continued to produce insightful and critically acclaimed documentaries.
Wedel’s documentary work has been recognized with numerous awards, including a £80,000 Funding Award from The Whickers Film & TV Funding Awards and accolades from the Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival, the San Antonio Independent Film Festival, and the International Emmy Awards.
In 2022, Wedel returned to the spotlight with “The Trapped 13: How We Survived The Thai Cave,” a Netflix documentary that chronicled the harrowing Tham Luang cave rescue, further cementing her reputation as a storyteller capable of capturing the complexities of human resilience and the spirit of survival.
Join us as we delve into the vibrant Thai film industry, featuring a diverse range of content from both local and international filmmakers. In each episode, we explore the mesmerizing landscapes, unique storytelling styles, and cultural nuances showcased in the hundreds of movies, series and documentaries produced in Thailand every year, through the eyes of our guest.
Created and Hosted by STEPHANE LAMBERT Recorded at TERO RADIO studio in Bangkok, Thailand Produced by Wishtrend Thailand for a Podcast Company Presented by TERO Creative Lab and TERO Documentary
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