ang snuol district, Kandal province – Time in Trapeng Krasaing village and the surrounding regions of Makak commune has turned back about 150 years—at least temporarily—as hundreds of people, dressed in ancient Khmer costume, enact scenes from “Karkei,” the latest film production to hit the area.
In peasant costumes and soldier outfits, the actors and extras carry out their roles for the French Cambodia International Production version of the Khmer legend.
Most of the nearly 400 extras here, who will appear in the series to be broadcast on CTN, are farmers in the rainy season.
In the past year, the burgeoning homegrown film industry has moved into the commune, creating employment for villagers who would otherwise be jobless in the dry season.
Sieng Vy, a 30-year-old resident of Trapeng Krasaing village, says she can earn about $1.25 to $2.50 per day appearing in the movies.
“I am busy to perform for movies because there are many film producers who come to [film] in my village and they hire residents to perform with their actors and actresses,” Sieng Vy said.
Mang Malay, who is also a resident of Makak commune, said acting as a movie extra has helped her support her family of six.
“I can make money comfortably and legally,” she said. “I don’t want to be a thief; I want to perform in order to earn money to support my family.”
But, she said, her participation in show business also has a nationalistic motive.
“I don’t want Cambodian movies to continue their collapse,” she said, referring to an industry, which for years has been dominated by Thai and Chinese productions.
Since the anti-Thai riots last January, however, Cambodian movies have been on the upswing as local television and film production companies champion the country’s own cultural products.
Korm Chanthy, the director of FCI productions, said that he, too, will help boost the Cambodian film industry with his version of “Karkei.”
The $60,000 production, which will take about three months to complete, will be shown in 21 episodes on CTN.
As legend holds, Karkei is the name of a girl who was born from a Kaknika flower in the jungle and raised by a hermit. Due to her unusual birth, Karkei’s hair and body carries the fragrance of the flower.
One day, King Preah Bat Promtaon visits the forest and falls in love with Karkei upon meeting her.
The king asks her to marry him but is given a warning by her guardian, the hermit. Preah Bat Promtaon should not kill Karkei if she commits mistakes. Instead he should only abandon her by putting her on a bamboo raft and setting it afloat on the river, the hermit tells him.
After the marriage, trouble begins when Preah Bat Promtaon’s chess partner Garuda, a mythical bird who can transform itself into a handsome man, falls in love with Karkei as well.
One day, Garuda catches Karkei and flies her back to his home.
Angered, the king orders his royal guards to bring the girl back, while he orders his royal maids to prepare a bamboo craft for her punishment. The tragic story ends as Karkei is set afloat on the river to her eventual death.
In the FCI version, Karkei is played by San Somaly, a 19-year-old native of Battambang province. Preah Bat Promtaon is performed by Som Vicheth, 25, from Pursat province.
“Performance for film is very difficult, especially acting as a cruel man,” Som Vicheth said, adding that he earns little for his performances. But, he said, “I feel happy for my performance…. I can take part in it with other Cambodian actors and actresses to develop our movie industry.”
San Somaly echoed his enthusiasm.
“We should not depend on Thai movies because Cambodia has its own movies,” she said. “Cambodia has good culture and legends.”
Next month, TV3, which is also investing in homegrown film production, will air another new Cambodian series called “Pich Nel Downhill Love.” The series is scheduled to begin airing on March 3.
