A Cambodian Spring

Last updated
A Cambodian Spring
CambodianSpring.jpeg
Theatrical release poster
Directed by
  • Christopher Kelly
Produced by
  • Christopher Kelly
CinematographyChristopher Kelly
Edited by
Music by James Holden
Production
companies
  • Dartmouth Films
  • Eye Steel Films
  • Little Ease Films
  • Zanzibar Films
Distributed byDartmouth Films
Release dates
  • May 2017 (2017-05)(Hot Docs International Film Festival)
  • May 2018 (2018-05)(UK and Ireland)
Running time
121 minutes
CountryUnited Kingdom
LanguageEnglish
Box office$19,405 [1] (£14,068)

A Cambodian Spring is a 2017 British documentary film directed and produced by Christopher Kelly, focusing on a conflict over plans to develop the Boeung Kak lake in the Cambodian capital of Phnom Penh. The film was premiered at the Hot Docs festival in Toronto, Canada in May 2017. [2] It was released theatrically in the United Kingdom and Ireland on May 18, 2018.

Contents

Synopsis

The film chronicles the struggle to prevent the development of the lake by the government backed and World Bank funded Shukaku Inc., which would involve filling the lake with sand and evicting the families who live around it. Spurning the offered compensation, locals protest the development, led by three activists: the Buddhist monk The Venerable Luon Sovath, and housing activists, Toul Srey Pov and Tep Vanny.

Critical response

On review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds an approval rating of 95% based on 20 reviews, and an average rating of 7.4/10. [3] Writing in Time Out, Phil de Semlyen wrote "For all its sombre revelations, 'A Cambodian Spring' exudes a powerful sense of possibility.". [4]

It was nominated for outstanding Debut by a British, Writer, Director or Producer at the 2019 BAFTAs.

Soundtrack

The soundtrack was composed by electronic music producer James Holden and released on his own Border Community label.

See also

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References

  1. "A Cambodian Spring". Box Office Mojo . Retrieved February 8, 2019.
  2. "ABOUT A Cambodian Spring". ACambodianSpring.com. Retrieved February 8, 2019.
  3. "A Cambodian Spring (2018)". Rotten Tomatoes . Fandango Media . Retrieved February 8, 2019.
  4. "A Cambodian Spring (2018)". Time Out. Retrieved February 8, 2019.