A struggling artist and his husband find their rural lives upended when they discover he has the ability to make gold in the dramatic short Auganic. We talk with filmmaker Krit Komkrichwarakool about his Oscar-qualified present-day folktale.
Auganic puts a contemporary spin on the fable of the goose that laid the golden eggs, with the story of Kailan (played by Matt Dejanovic) and Nick (Kenny Brain), a cash-strapped couple faced with the possibility of selling their farm.
When Kailan unexpectedly discovers he has the power to magically produce gold, however, the prospect of untold riches could save or destroy their relationship.
As writer-director Krit Komkrichwarakool explains, the film offers a look into how the fortunes and complexities of modern life can test the limits of marriage.
“The gold symbolism is very much a simple metaphor of unique and easier ways to make money in this day and age. Some require more personal commitments than others,” Komkrichwarakool says. “It can be a harsh reality to many people and I find it worth exploring. Would Kailan compromise his goal for his husband? Could this opportunity save them or break them?”
Komkrichwarakool says he was motivated to make Auganic by a hunger to see more compelling LGBTQIA+ stories on the screen and the desire to make “a tiny queer film that I could fall in love with.”
“I want to keep making films that resonate with both my current and younger self, especially during those times when I felt lost and confused about my place in the world and my sexuality,” he says. “If my art can help that lonely teen version of me, then perhaps it can also reach others who feel alone and help them find a sense of belonging.”
“If my art can help that lonely teen version of me, then perhaps it can also reach others who feel alone and help them find a sense of belonging.”
After brining Dejanovic and Brain on board with the project, Komkrichwarakool says he was impressed by the willingness of his co-leads to immerse themselves in their characters.
“Often, I get too close to the characters I write, so it’s a great change of pace when the actors bring their own interpretations to the table,” he says. “The versions of Kai and Nick that ended up on screen were certainly different from how I’d originally envisioned them in the script, and that was for the better.”
While Komkrichwarakool notes that work on Auganic passed largely without difficulty, he says the overall experience nevertheless “felt both surreal and cathartic.”
“I spend a lot of time picking apart my own work; it’s a love/hate relationship. So, when I got to see the first assembly cut, there was a moment of peace where I truly felt proud of what we’d accomplished,” he says. “I try to hold onto these moments whenever I start to doubt myself again. It’s an ongoing battle in my head, but I remember those high moments vividly.”
“When I got to see the first assembly cut, there was a moment of peace where I truly felt proud of what we’d accomplished.”
He adds that, although he loves collaborating with those around him and finds a lot of joy being on set, it is also important to him to ensure his entire identity doesn’t revolve around his work as a filmmaker.
“Someone once said, ‘Learn to separate yourself from your art,’ and it’s a lesson I’m still learning,” he says. “I’m not saying you shouldn’t care about your craft, but it’s important to step back and see the bigger picture of what you’re trying to achieve. Otherwise, you might find yourself stuck, looking at your work through a microscope for too long.”
Auganic has been busy touring festivals around the United States, with its Canadian premiere set for November 24 at the Chilliwack Independent Film Festival. An award for Best Live Action Short at the deadCenter Film Festival in Oklahoma earlier this year has also put the film in the running for a potential 2025 Oscar nomination.
“The night we won, my producer King Louie Palomo and I were thrilled just to get the award. Then we slowly realized that we were now qualified to submit for the golden statue, and things started rolling pretty quickly from there,” Komkrichwarakool says. “We’re now working with London Flair PR on our campaign, and voting is coming up in a few months. This is all new to me, and I’m just trying to enjoy the process as much as I can.”
Reflecting on the experience so far, Komkrichwarakool says the film has received a positive reception from those who have seen it and that he hopes that even more people will get the chance to find joy in watching it.
“It’s a love letter to queer individuals, but at its core, it’s a universal story,” he says. “I want viewers to see the lighter side of our experiences; a hopeful representation of our community that goes beyond trauma and comedic elements. Our everyday lives can be captivating stories, too.”
Follow Auganic on Instagram here or find out about more upcoming screenings on the film’s official website here.
