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Friday, April 13, 2018

CAMBODIAN CINEMA… (In the Entertainment industry. History of Cambodian Cinema)


Cambodian Film Commission Logo / Photo Credit: Cambodian Film Commission - Research Guides

CAMBODIAN CINEMA… (In the Entertainment industry. History of Cambodian Cinema)


Cambodian Cinema

Cambodian Film Commission
Cambodian Productions

Emerge Films Solutions

History

Cinema in Cambodia began in the 1950s, and many films were being screened in theaters throughout the country by the 1960s, which are regarded as the "golden age". After a near-disappearance during the Khmer Rouge regime, competition from video and television has meant that the Cambodian film industry is a small one.

The early years
As early as the 1920s, documentary films were shot in Cambodia by foreign filmmakers. By the 1930s, King Norodom Sihanouk had a desire for films and dreamed of stardom before the French chose him to be king. Even after his selection, he kept in mind the idea of acting or directing. The first Cambodian-made films were made in the 1950s by filmmakers who had studied overseas. They included Roeum Sophon, Ieu Pannakar and Sun Bun Ly. The United States Information Service held training workshops during this era and provided equipment. One film from this time was Dan Prean Lbas Prich (Footprints of the Hunter), made by off-duty Cambodian military personnel using American equipment and containing footage of Cambodian hill tribes.

Sun Bun Ly's first film was Kar Pear Prumjarei Srei Durakut (Protect Virginity). He also established the first private production company, Ponleu Neak Poan Kampuchea. His success inspired others, such as Ly Bun Yim, to try their hand.

The golden age
In the 1960s, several production companies were started and more movie theaters were built throughout the country. This was the "golden age" of Cambodian cinema, when more than 300 movies were made. Movie tickets were relatively affordable and Cambodian-made movies were popular with all classes in Cambodia. Movie-lovers favored movies featuring traditional Cambodian legends. At the time, about two-thirds of the films released were boran (films of legends). Among the classic films of this period are Lea Haey Duong Dara (Goodbye Duong Dara) and Pos Keng Kang (The Snake King's Wife) by Tea Lim Kun. Other films followed, such as Crocodile Man, The Snake King's Wife Part 2, The Snake girl and My Mother is Arb. These films found success both in Cambodia and abroad.

During the Golden Age, some Cambodian films were released abroad. During the 1970s they were well received internationally. Pos Keng Kang, a Khmer Horror period,[clarification needed] was a big hit in Thailand, and Crocodile Man (1974) was screened successfully in Hong Kong. Such successes opened the way for foreign screenings of Khmer films such as Puthisean Neang Kong rey and The Snake Girl. Stars during this era included actress Vichara Dany, who made hundreds of films but lost her life during the Khmer Rouge regime.

The star of Pos Keng Kang, actress Dy Saveth, escaped Cambodia during the Khmer Rouge rule. She has returned to act in films and to teach at Royal University of Phnom Penh. A leading man of the era was action star Chea Yuthon, and his wife Saom Vansodany was a famous actress of the sixties and seventies. Their son Thorn Tharith made an autobiographical drama, Chheam Anatha (The Blood of An Orphan), about the family's struggles during the Khmer Rouge time. Kong Sam Oeurn and Van Vanak are other famous leading actors of the era. They are believed to have perished under the communist regime.

Sihanouk (then a prince) also made films, which he wrote, directed and produced himself. They were mostly romantic melodramas with an underlying social message. A cinema fan since his student days in Saigon in the 1930s, he released his first feature, Apsara, on August 8, 1966. He made eight more films during the next three years, serving as producer, director, writer, composer and star. His other films during this period include Ombre Sur Angkor (1967), Rose de Bokor, Crepuscule (Twilight) (1969) and Joie de vivre. His 1967 film Spellbound Wood was entered into the 5th Moscow International Film Festival.

Khmer Rouge and the Communist era
In the years leading up to the takeover by the Khmer Rouge, refugees crowded the cities and movie-going remained extremely popular. Among the films at this time were the love-triangle melodrama on srey on and The Time to Cry. Both films featured the music of popular Cambodian singer Sinn Sisamouth.

The industry's decline began in late 1974, when the fall of Phnom Penh to the Khmer Rouge was imminent. After the Khmer Rouge takeover, the cities were depopulated and film audiences shrank. The Khmer Rouge itself made some propaganda films to screen at collective meetings, and diplomatic visits were recorded on film.

With the invasion of Cambodia by Vietnam, the fall of the Khmer Rouge and the installation of the Vietnam-backed government of the People's Republic of Kampuchea, movie houses in Phnom Penh were re-opened, but there was no domestic film industry, because many filmmakers and actors from the 1960s and 1970s had been killed by the Khmer Rouge or had fled the country. Negatives and prints of many films were destroyed, stolen, or missing. Many of the films that did survive are in poor condition, as there has been no effort at preservation.

Cinema in Cambodia at this time consisted of films from Vietnam, the Soviet Union, East European socialist countries and Hindi movies from India; films from other nations, such as Hong Kong action cinema, were banned. Audiences soon tired of the socialist realism and class struggle depicted in the films.

Cambodia's film industry began a slow comeback starting with My Mother is Arb (or Krasue Mom), a horror movie based on Khmer folklore and the first movie made in Cambodia after the Khmer Rouge era. Cambodian production companies began to re-emerge and tread the fine line of making films that would entertain people without incurring the wrath of the government. Films from this period, such as Chet Chorng Cham (Reminding the Mind) and Norouk Pramboun Chaon (Nine Levels of Hell), told stories about the miseries endured under the Khmer Rouge, or about lives under the Vietnam-backed regime. Soon there were more than 200 production companies making films that competed for screenings at 30 cinemas in Phnom Penh.

The boom in filmmaking was curtailed, however, by the introduction of VCRs, video cameras and importation of taped foreign television programs, including Thai soap operas.

Slow comeback
From 1990 to 1994, hundreds of local Cambodian movies were released every year. The majority of films released at the time were all made in 1993, during the time of the United Nations Transitional Authority in Cambodia (UNTAC). The period of plenty ended in 1994 due to the governments demand over Cambodian movies being incomparable to foreign films. In 1995 most Cambodian production turned to karaoke, and by 1996, HD cameras had become widely available in Cambodia. Since the early 1990s, the local industry has started a slow comeback.

One sign of progress is the career of French-trained director Rithy Panh, who escaped Cambodia after seeing his family die under the Khmer Rouge. His films focus on the aftermath of the Khmer Rouge. One is the docudrama Rice People (1994), which competed at the 1994 Cannes Film Festival and was submitted to the 67th Academy Awards for Best Foreign Language Film, the first time a Cambodian film had been submitted for an Oscar.

Unlike other diaspora filmmakers, Cambodian filmmaker-producer Chhay Bora lives and works full-time in Cambodia. His recent drama Lost Loves was submitted for a 2013 Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film.

In 2001 Fai Sam Ang directed Kon pous keng kang (The Snake King's Child), a remake of a classic 1960s Cambodian film. Though it was a Thai co-production, starring Thai leading man Winai Kraibutr, it was recognized as the first Cambodian film to be released since before the Khmer Rouge era. At the time, Phnom Penh did not yet have any viable commercial cinemas, so the film was screened at the French Cultural Center in Phnom Penh and in outdoor screenings, as well as in a widespread commercial release in Thailand cinemas.

The 2003 Phnom Penh riots, prompted by a newspaper article that falsely quoted Thai actress Suvanant Kongying as saying that Cambodia had stolen Angkor, resulted in a ban on all Thai films and television programs. To fill the large gap in programming, a resurgence in Cambodian film and TV production began.


Emerge Films Solutions

Cambodia Film & Photography Production Services
Are you a media company, brand, ad agency or production company looking for film / photography production support or shooting crew in Cambodia? We have fully vetted, locally based fixers, service producers, directors, DP’s, videographers, cameramen, photographers, sound operators, production drivers, and a range of other film crew. Contact us for referrals, questions, cost estimates and references.

Want to know more about shooting in Cambodia? See below for an introduction to Cambodia locations, permits, when to shoot, costs, talent, crews, equipment, art department, studios, post facilities, visas and work permits, film friendly hotels, transport, communications and safety advice.

Cambodia Film Locations
Cambodia is known for its Khmer temple ruins, Khmer Rouge killing fields, jungle, plains, rice paddies, waterfalls, and the Mekong River.

Phnom Penh. The busy, bustling capital city of Phnom Penh is known for its Royal Palace, Silver Pagoda, National Museum, Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, and the art deco Psar Thmei Central Market. Just outside of Phnom Penh you can find the Choeng Ek killing fields. The Pangolin Rehabilitation Center is also outside of Phnom Penh.

Northwest Cambodia. Angkor area temples in Siem Reap include Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom (Terrace of the Elephants, Terrace of the Leper King), Preah Khan, Banteay Kdei, Bakong, Neak Pean, Krol Ko, Phnom Bakheng, Ta Prohm, Baphuon, Ta Keo, Phimeanakas, Pre Rup, Banteay Samré, Preah Ko, Ta Som, Thommanon, Chau Say Tevoda, Lolei, Prasat Kravan, Baksei Chamkrong, and East Mebon.

An hour or more drive from Angkor Wat you can find temple areas including Koh Ker, Banteay Srei, Beng Mealea, and Prasat Preah Vihear.

Battambang is Cambodia’s second largest city. It is known for its colonial architecture, the former Governor’s Residence, Battambang Provincial Museum, and Phnom Sampeu’s Killing Caves.

Eastern Cambodia locations of note include Lake Yeak Laom, Virachey National Park, Phnom Prich Wildlife Sanctuary, Snoul Wildlife Sanctuary, and Lumphat Wildlife Sanctuary. The Governor’s Residence in Kratie is a beautiful French colonial building. The rare Irrawaddy dolphins can be seen in the Mekong River. Sopheak Mitt waterfalls are a unique and undiscovered film location with river islands, waterfalls, and rapids.

Sihanoukville and the south. Sihanoukville is known for its islands and white sand beaches. The nearby fishing village of Kampot and Bokor Hill Station are other film locations of note. Preah Monivong National Park and Botum Sakor National Park are in this part of Cambodia.

Cambodia has played host to films such as First They Killed My Father, Transformers 3 and Lara Croft: Tomb Raider.

Cambodia Film Location Permits
Visiting productions are required to have a general film permit. To lodge the application our Cambodian fixer / service producer will require information such as the project synopsis, passport copies of visiting crew, and the locations list. The general film permit usually takes about 2 weeks to process. Once this permit is granted the fixer / service producer can go ahead and apply for location specific permits for filming in places such as the Angkor temples or Royal Palace. Shoots that required exclusive use of public space, laying track or large setups, closing streets, or working with weapons, will require several levels of permitting and as much lead time as possible. Permitting times vary depending on the location and the size and scope of the project. On the whole, authorities are relaxed about permitting rules and permits can often be expedited at not much extra cost. Rules for filming with drones change regularly. Please contact us for other location specific information.

When To Shoot?
Cambodia has a tropical monsoon climate. In the north, winters can be colder, while throughout most of the country temperatures remain fairly constant. November to February is cool and dry. This is the best time of year to film for weather. March to May is hot and dry. June to August is hot and wet. September to early November is cool and wet. For monthly weather statistics please see here.

Cambodian festivals and events of interest to filmmakers and photographers include:

• Chaul Chnam Khmer, (Cambodian New Year) in April.
• Royal Ploughing Ceremony in May.
• Visakha Puja (Buddha Day) in May / June.
• Pchum Ben (Ancestors Day / Festival of the Dead) in September.
• Bon Om Tuk (Water Festival) in November.

Costs & Tax Incentives
Costs. Cambodia is a very cost competitive place to film. Some key crew and equipment may need to be brought in which will add to the cost of shooting. In any case, our Cambodian fixer / service producer will negotiate local deals and provide the appropriate level of production support to match every budget.

Tax Incentives. Import of film related equipment is tax exempt as it is considered a temporary import. Otherwise there are no other tax incentives for foreign commercials or films shooting in Cambodia.

Film Crew & Talent
Crews. Cambodia has a small pool of directors, directors of photography and stills photographers. Some key crew are available locally and others are best brought in from abroad. Thailand has an extensive pool of talent. Local supporting crews are inexpensive, hard working and speak fluent English.

Contact us if you are looking for a director, DP, photographer, videographer (cameraman / camera operator), camera assistant (focus puller), sound operator, grip, gaffer, stylist, hair and makeup, PA / runner, production driver, or any other film crew for your shoot in Cambodia.

Talent day rates and buyouts are negotiable. Cambodia offers mainly Khmer looks with some hill tribe, Chinese and Vietnamese looks also available. Phnom Penh also has a considerable Caucasian ex-pat community to draw from as well as many tourists passing through.

Cambodia Film Equipment
Some lighting and grip equipment is available locally. You will need to bring in camera and related equipment from abroad. Cambodia is not a carnet country but bringing in gear is easy. Once the general film permit is granted, our local fixer / service producer will require a full detailed gear list to lodge the application for temporary import of equipment. The process usually takes up to 3 days. Our Cambodian fixer / service producer will meet you at the port of entry to ensure everything runs smoothly.

Art Department, Studios, Backlots, & Post Production
Art department and set construction. Art department is basic beyond local looks. Supporting crew and local construction crews are skilled and hard working.

Studios and backlots. None exist at present.

Post Production. Post abroad.

Visas & Work Permits
Crews travelling on western passports are required to have visas to enter Cambodia. You can apply for a visa on arrival. Make sure to bring 2 passport photos and US dollars. Alternatively you can apply for an eVisa. Allow at least 3 weeks for application processing. Visas are valid for up to 30 days. There are no work permits required to film in Cambodia.

Transport & Accommodation
Transportation Infrastructure. Most roads are in a good condition making land travel a good option to move between locations. Several international airlines service flights to Cambodia.

Accommodation. Recommended film friendly hotels in Cambodia include:

Phnom Penh (Capital):
  • The 252
  • Raffles Hotel Le Royal
  • InterContinental Phnom Penh
Siem Reap (Angkor Wat):
  • Amansara
  • The Sothea
  • La Residence d’Angkor
Sihanoukville (Beaches):
  • Independence Hotel
Please contact us for corporate rates.

For longer stays we can also organize serviced apartments.

Final Notes
Safety. See here for up to date travel advice.

Projects. For an example of TV commercials, stills campaigns, online content, corporate videos, virtual reality 360 content, feature films, TV series and documentaries shot in Cambodia.

Hire Cambodia Production Support & Shooting Crew
If you are looking for a film or photographic production service company, line producer or fixer for your shoot in Cambodia, please contact us.

If you are looking for a shooting crew for your shoot in Cambodia, such as a director, DoP, photographer, videographer (cameraman / camera operator), camera assistant (focus puller), sound operator, grip, gaffer, stylist, hair and makeup, PA / runner, production driver, please contact us.

We are able to provide you with answers, references and bids quickly.

Sources, References & Credits: Google, Wikipedia, Wikihow, Pinterest, IMDB, Linked In, Indie Wire, Film Making Stuff, Hiive, Film Daily, New York Film Academy, The Balance, The Numbers, Film Maker, TV Guide Magazine, Media Match, Quora, Creative Skill Set, Investopedia, Variety, No Film School, Daily Variety, The Film Agency, Best Sample Resume, How Stuff Works, Career Trend, Producer's Code of Credits, Production Hub, Producers Guild of America, Film Connection, Variety, Emerge Film Solutions, UNESCO Institute for Statistics, Cambodia Cultural Profile, "CamboFest Story", "Cambodian films are undergoing a rebirth", Cambodia Film Office,


THIS ARTICLE IS FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY. THE INFORMATION IS PROVIDED "AS IS" AND BRUCE BISBEY MAKES NO EXPRESS OR IMPLIED REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES, INCLUDING WARRANTIES OF PERFORMANCE, MERCHANTABILITY, AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, REGARDING THIS INFORMATION. BRUCE BISBEY DOES NOT GUARANTEE THE COMPLETENESS, ACCURACY OR TIMELINESS OF THIS INFORMATION. YOUR USE OF THIS INFORMATION IS AT YOUR OWN RISK. YOU ASSUME FULL RESPONSIBILITY AND RISK OF LOSS RESULTING FROM THE USE OF THIS INFORMATION. BRUCE BISBEY WILL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, SPECIAL, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES OR ANY OTHER DAMAGES WHATSOEVER, WHETHER IN AN ACTION BASED UPON A STATUTE, CONTRACT, TORT (INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION NEGLIGENCE) OR OTHERWISE, RELATING TO THE USE OF THIS INFORMATION.

Cambodian Film Commission Logo / Photo Credit: Cambodian Film Commission - Research Guides

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