Cambodian Film Commission Logo / Photo Credit: Cambodian Film Commission - Research Guides
CAMBODIAN CINEMA… (In the Entertainment
industry. History of Cambodian Cinema)
Bruce
Bisbey…please follow me at: https://dumbdogproductionsllc.blogspot.com or https://www.facebook.com/DumbDogProductionsLLC/ thank you.
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,
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Cambodian
Film Commission Logo / Photo Credit: Cambodian Film Commission - Research
Guides
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