A Cambodian Spring

Few films following political upheaval successfully convey the conflicting emotions of their leads as they struggle for empowerment and justice, but Chris Kelly’s Bafta-nominated ‘A Cambodian Spring’ is such a potent mixture of visual and auditive artistry that no viewer can possibly be left unmoved.

Following three disparate characters brought together in their rise against the autocratic regime of Prime Minister Hun Sen in 2007, the film charts their bitter struggle that started with a painful and protracted land conflict over Boeung Kak lake in the Cambodian capital of Phnom Penh. A private building development company is authorised to bulldoze the Boeung Kak community, resulting in forced evictions and the lake flooding with sand. With no rehousing plan in place, residents must watch as their homes are destroyed.

Young local mothers Tep Vanny and Toul Srey Pov unite the community in order to save their homes and outspoken monk Luon Sovath, who is threatened with being “defrocked”, takes a similar stand in other part of the country.

The result is a mixture of beautiful cinematography, violent first-person filmed accounts and an expansive, sensitive and emotional score, produced by James Holden, who’s deft touch brings an extra dimension to the story.

Title: A Cambodian Spring

Director: Chris Kelly

Release: 2018

Length: 2h7mins

Where to watch: Vimeo

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