A well-known voice actor and boxing commentator has produced a four-minute karaoke music video celebrating Prime Minister Hun Sen and linking him to the enduring myth of the naga, a powerful serpent deity in Hindu and Buddhist lore.
Meas Saravuth produced “The Power of the Naga King” in an effort to educate Cambodians about their culture and encourage patriotism, he said yesterday.
It cost $3,000 to make and is loosely based around a narrative in which nagas at Preah Vihear temple come alive to protect Cambodian soldiers. The story was inspired by a ceremony held last year to release a steel stabilizing cable from one of the temple’s naga sculptures to let its power roam free over the temple, Mr Saravuth said.
“I just want to educate people about Cambodian culture, government achievements and Cambodian beliefs,” he said.
“I created this video clip to pass on my heritage to the young, not to provoke anyone.”
The video begins with a 3-D animation of two nagas coming alive–complete with scales and flickering tongues–and flying around Preah Vihear temple. The video then shifts to footage of the premier and his wife attending various ceremonies, including one at Preah Vihear temple. It also features clips of CPP rallies, statues of famous Khmer leaders morphing into Mr Hun Sen’s face, and images of roads and bridges built under Mr Hun Sen.
Mr Hun Sen “guarantees a strong commitment for assisting all Khmers-we have the destiny to [stay] under the shadow of Samdech Hun Sen,” the karaoke song goes.
Chum Kosal, a CTN producer, said yesterday that the station had been broadcasting the video during commercial breaks since Jan 8 in order to educate his audience about Cambodian culture.
“This video clip is related to people’s belief in our country,” Mr Kosal said.
