If you’re hungover this morning, then you’re on the right track. You could be a star.
The crew of Hollywood actor Matt Dillon’s upcoming movie, set to begin filming in several locations around Cambodia early next year, is looking to fill several acting roles by hiring both Western expatriates and Cambodians.
There are several roles for anyone who resembles a “Western backpacker,” including one speaking role. No acting experience is necessary, but the ability to look “drunk, stoned” is paramount, according to Raweeporn Srimonju, who also goes by Non, a Thai casting agent who has worked on several Hollywood movies set in Southeast Asia, including “Heaven and Earth” and “The Beach.”
Hopeful expats crowded around Non Wednesday night at a local restaurant, asking her questions like: “How much do we get paid?” (“You have to talk to my producer.”) “Who will be the female lead opposite Matt Dillon?” (“That hasn’t been settled in Hollywood yet.”) And “Do you have parts for Cambodians?” (“Oh, a lot.”)
Many Cambodians have already auditioned, including a professor from the School of Fine Arts. Several of them were excellent actors, said Non, but didn’t speak English well enough. “If you know Cambodians who speak good English, I have about 100 parts,” she said.
There are two major parts for Cambodians. One is a military general who is older, experienced and cunning in a subtle way. The other is a young, lively cyclo driver. Some auditions for Cambodian roles have taken place in Los Angeles and Bangkok. “But we would prefer to hire them from here,” said Non.
One persistent Malaysian, who kept mentioning Al Pacino, offered that “Westerners think I’m Cambodian. And that might be good enough.”
Although he’s never done any acting, he argued that his past work experience would also enable him to fill the role of a foreign correspondent. “One thing you realize if you have been a journalist, is that you can’t be shy,” he said.
Other speaking roles are an archeologist who speaks either French or English, a Russian “killer”—who absolutely must look Russian—and a sleazy Chinese businessman who is able to speak good English.
Auditions for the film, with a working title of either “Beneath the Banyan Tree” or “City of Ghosts,” are ongoing in a second floor office of the Mitsubishi building on Ang Duong Street. Potential actors will sit in one of two opaque glass rooms in front of a video camera, read from a script and talk with Non. Dillon will view the tape and select who he wants to meet in person.
Non said she wants to cast the speaking parts before Saturday “I have a very short time to cast all these parts. But I may open it up again after Christmas,” she said.
There is one scene in the film where Western children are needed to fill in the background at a party. A half dozen students from the International School of Phnom Penh were tipped off by their drama teacher and sat at a nearby table Wednesday night, sipping soft drinks and trying hard to appear casual.
Nadia Shadravan, a 15-year-old student at the International School who acted as Lady Macbeth two years ago in a production of the Shakespearean play, “Macbeth,” doesn’t worry about freezing up at her audition. “Anger would not be a problem for me,” she said.
Her teacher advised anxious auditioners to be natural, Shadravan said. “And be young,” she added.
