In Laos, where the Mekong River crisscrosses rugged mountains and verdant plains, the nation nurtures a unique tradition – a lottery. Not just a game of chance, the lottery is a cornerstone of Lao culture and a source of hope for many people. Every time the results are announced, a wave of anticipation ripples across the country. For the millions of people who partake in the national lottery, it is more than a pastime – it’s a way of life.
The numbers have their own mystical aura, with each one carrying a different cultural meaning. The numbers 20 (crab), 21 (weaverbird), and 33 (spider) are lucky animal numbers, for example. These animals have long been used in the satsang (religious prayers) and other rituals, and they are believed to carry blessings to those who pray for them. But, not all are happy with the way the lottery is run. Several cases of fraud have been brought to light, and questions are raised about the legitimacy of the lottery in general. Despite the problems, the government has made efforts to restore the public’s trust in the industry. It has even changed the law, allowing provincial governments to operate their own lotteries.
Nevertheless, the lottery remains popular among people of all ages and backgrounds. Some use their winnings to bolster their income, while others invest it in their children’s education or dream of starting their own businesses. The lottery is a glimmer of hope in a land where economic opportunities are scarce.
In a small, isolated nation like Laos, where people are still very superstitious, it is not uncommon to hear of ghostly visitations and supernatural occurrences. In the film Dearest Sister, a nearly blind woman named Ana is visited by apparitions who tell her lottery numbers. Her young caretaker, Nok, takes advantage of Ana’s impairment and starts buying tickets with the jumbled numbers that she mutters. Ultimately, the two women end up winning huge sums of money.
The movie is directed by Mattie Do, a Californian of Lao descent who lives in Vientiane. Unlike most filmmakers who go through a formal training process, she started making movies four years ago without any prior experience or education in the field. She has made two films so far, including this horror thriller. Her next project is a science-fiction film. You can watch the trailer below.
