A Cambodian Spring | |
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![]() Theatrical release poster | |
Directed by |
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Produced by |
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Cinematography | Christopher Kelly |
Edited by |
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Music by | James Holden |
Production companies |
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Distributed by | Dartmouth Films |
Release dates |
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Running time | 121 minutes |
Country | United Kingdom |
Language | English |
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.
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.
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.
The soundtrack was composed by electronic music producer James Holden and released on his own Border Community label.
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Boeung Kak is an area in Khan Daun Penh and Khan Toul Kourk centrally located in the capital city of Cambodia, Phnom Penh. Until around 2010, it was covered by the largest urban lake in Phnom Penh. Residential areas, businesses, restaurants, hotels, embassies and other local businesses surrounded the area of the lake. Phnom Penh's main railway station formerly sat on its south coast. The lake itself was 90 hectares in area.
Shukaku Inc. is a private development company based in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. It is headed by Senator Lau Meng Khin from the Cambodian People's Party and chairman of the Cambodian Chamber of Commerce who also directs the Pheapimex Group.
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