Cambodian Film Industry on Rise With ‘Snake’

In the legend of “The Giant Snake,” a boy, the child of an extramarital affair between a farmer’s wife and a giant snake, survives the jealous rage of the farmer and becomes a mythical hero to all Cambodians.

Culture officials are hoping a movie remake of the legend will transcend three decades of political instability and help resurrect Cambodian culture.

“Our main purpose is to restore our arts,” said Fay Sam Ang, director of Cambodia Films for Phnom Penh’s TV 3.

The station has scheduled two Feb 1 show­­ings of “Koun Poh Keng Kang,” or “Child of a Giant Snake,” on 35 mm film, with 1,000 seats at Chak­tomuk Theater for the public.

Tickets cost about $1.25, but the stakes are higher than the ticket prices, Fay Sam Ang said.

“We want to show that our film industry is resurrected after 30 years of silence,” he said. “We want [the world] to remember Cambodians.”

In a recent television broadcast, Fay Sam Ang saluted the young Cambodian actors in the movie for overcoming their fears of their slithering co-stars.

“I cut out my fear,” Ampor Tevy, starring as Neang Ny, said. “It was my first chance to perform with a snake.”

Before its public premiere, the film giving a private screening to raise funds for the Cambodian Red Cross on Jan 28 at Chak­tomuk Theater.

In February, the film will go into wider provincial release, beginning with Siem Reap, Fay Sam Ang said.

The film will also be shown at a film festival in Shanghai later this year, he said.

“There is a lot of excitement, [but] seeing is believing,” Fay Sam Ang said. “Please come out and support the movie.”

 

 

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