Inspired by the popular Thai legend of Mae Nak (a supernatural symbol of enduring love and devotion), Thai writer/director Ratchapoom Boonbunchachoke delivers a highly original debut feature, centred on dust, romance, ghosts and grief.

After Academic Ladyboy (Wisarut Homhuan) buys a bright red vacuum cleaner to combat Thailand’s dust pollution problem, he starts having issues with his new appliance. Handsome repairman, Krong (Wanlop Rungkumjad), arrives at his door, relaying tales of the ghosts who are possessing machines at a local appliance factory. So begins the story-within-a-story of this politically tinged comedy/drama, in which the ghost of a young woman, Nat (Thai superstar, Davika Hoorne), returns to care for her ill and grieving husband, March (Wisarut Himmarat), taking the form of a vacuum cleaner.

With its striking, retro-futurist production design, its deadpan comedic performances and unexpected twists, A Useful Ghost is equal parts love story and a charged socio-political allegory – one that will leave you siding with the ghosts.