A US documentary about Cambodian traditional dance has won a prestigious Cine Golden Eagle award, allowing it to represent the US in international film competitions, according to a statement issued by the maker.
“Dancing Through Death: The Monkey, Magic and Madness of Cambodia” explores the art of storytelling through court dance, its near extinction during the Pol Pot regime and its revival in the US and Cambodia.
“We wanted to show the critical role that the performing arts plays in rebuilding a culture and overcoming the trauma of the last 25 years,” wrote producer-director Janet Gardner by e-mail. “It was very moving to hear that Cambodians in the refugee camps who had lost family members and barely had enough drinking water made dance and music a priority.”
The Cine Golden Eagle is awarded quarterly to outstanding documentary and educational films.
