TROPICAL MALADY: REFLECTIONS ON JUNGLE POLITICS 20 YEARS AFTER
y Adrian Mendizabal
Returning to Apichatpong Weerasethakul’s (hereby referred to as Joe) Tropical Malady (2004) is akin to revisiting the ghostly materiality of jungle politics. For many Southeast Asians, particularly those residing in rural areas, the jungle symbolizes a realm where spirits and humans coexist, often serving as a cherished home. In this essay, I aim to delve into Tropical Malady, exploring the intricate interplay of the spiritual realm within Southeast Asia’s rural landscapes and the politically charged portrayal of the jungle as the region’s revolutionary frontier.