BREAKING THE SILENCE: It’s Complicated

Director’s Statement: Aam Anusorn

It’s Complicated: เพราะรักมันซับซ้อน is a deeply personal film for me, rooted in my own experiences and inspired by my previous work on the series Call It What You Want. When I first created the series, I didn’t realize how much of an impact it would have—or how controversial it would become. At the time, I was simply telling a story based on events I had witnessed, aiming to shed light on the toxic behaviors I had encountered in the entertainment industry.

What surprised me the most was the backlash. Some individuals and groups in the industry were quick to claim that the series was about them, even though I had never worked with or even known them. It was shocking to see how defensive they became, as if the issues I highlighted hit too close to home. What I didn’t expect was the extent to which the media and industry figures would go to silence me, blocking the series from gaining traction in Thailand.

The heart of this story lies in my belief that sexual harassment should never be normalized. Too often, I hear people dismiss it by saying, “It happens in every industry,” as if that makes it acceptable. It does not. This kind of behavior is not normal, and it should never be excused. I also believe that love, in all its forms, is beautiful and should be celebrated, even in workplace dynamics. However, love must be built on mutual respect, free of abuse and power imbalances.

It’s Complicated is my attempt to further explore these themes on a bigger scale. While the series faced challenges due to censorship and backlash, the movie allowed me to reimagine the story with a new perspective, exploring the characters, visuals, and narrative in greater depth. The film’s color grading, music, and scale are designed to create an emotional impact, amplifying the story’s message.

Unfortunately, even as we prepared for the film’s release, the industry pushed back again. Certain influential figures attempted to silence me, claiming I was “damaging the industry” or “creating a bad image.” Theaters refused to show the film, and I was labeled as problematic. But I pushed forward, re-editing and reshaping the movie to ensure its message could reach audiences in a meaningful way.

NOTE: Even the Federation of Motion Pictures and Contents Associations didn’t believe me, and to this day, I feel they still don’t. Their reaction made me question everything about myself and my work. For a long time, I believed I was a bad person, that I had done something unforgivable by creating this film. I started to feel that It’s Complicated shouldn’t exist, that I shouldn’t have made something like this.

But over time, I’ve come to realize that these feelings were not born from truth, but from the weight of the backlash I faced. Yes, this film was controversial. Yes, it stirred emotions and discomfort. But that’s exactly why it’s important. It’s Complicated exists because these stories matter, because someone needs to speak up about what others are afraid to confront.

I still feel sadness when I think about how much resistance this film faced. I’m still learning to forgive myself for the doubts I carried. But I also hope that through this work, others can see the value in challenging harmful norms and advocating for love, respect, and change—no matter how difficult it might be.

At its core, this film is about calling out behaviors that should never be tolerated, while also reminding us of the beauty of love and acceptance. It’s about acknowledging our mistakes and learning from them—whether it takes one time or five. Love is patient, love is kind, and love transcends societal norms when rooted in honesty and respect.

I hope this film inspires people to reflect, to embrace change, and to understand that we can all do better. The past may shape us, but it doesn’t have to define us. And most importantly, sexual harassment should never be normalized, no matter where it occurs.

I invite audiences to experience this journey with open hearts and minds.

Sincerely,

Aam Anusorn

Director of It’s Complicated: เพราะรักมันซับซ้อน