Based on the deadly rule of the Khmer Rouge, a communist inspired movement led by the dictator Pol Pot, under which an estimated 25% of the Cambodian population died from malnutrition, forced labour and mass murder from 1975 until 1979. This historical event is today known as the Cambodian genocide.
Almost all Cambodian artists, actors and film professionals were killed during the Khmer Rouge regime and only a few of the directors were able to flee the country. The history of the birth and destruction of Cambodian cinema is covered in the documentary Golden Slumbers (2011) from the first Cambodian film made in 1960 to the arrival of the Khmer Rouge in 1975. In these 15 years, about 400 films were produced, but only 30 films survived. With a few of the survivors telling their stories, the documentary tries to bring back to life the myths and legends of this lost cinema. Most of the old movie theaters of Phnom Penh have now become restaurants, karaoke places or squats.
Shot completely in Cambodia with an all-Cambodian cast and in the Cambodian language Khmer.
Director, co-writer and producer Angelina Jolie has had Cambodian citizenship since 2005, and her adopted son Maddox was born there.
Shot in 60 days on a $ 24 million budget. As of release, it's the biggest film ever shot completely in Cambodia.
Contribute to this page
Suggest an edit or add missing content
