‘Redlife’ Explores The Mean Streets Of Thailand
by Tito W. James
RedLife is a drama that follows several characters who must navigate through the challenges of crime, classism, and young love in Thailand. In the film, we get an unvarnished look at the sex work industry and see what people are willing to do when they have nothing to lose. Redlife is harsh but never maudlin, and its easy to empathize with each character’s situation.
The fact that I can’t find an English trailer for RedLife proves that the Higher Ups assume that this won’t be a commercial hit with Western audiences. I would encourage people to watch RedLife because it paints a gripping portrait of a world many of us have never seen before and has parallels to our own.
There’s a pernicious narrative among film critics that the Golden Age of Cinema was in years long past and streamers and superhero films ruined everything. However, I would argue that gripping mature narratives are alive and well. Instead of looking to the past we should look outside of our own countries and comfort zone. The ease of access to international films is one of the benefits the current streaming landscape provides.
RedLife is now streaming on Netflix.
