Description

April 17 marks the 40th anniversary of Cambodia’s fall to the Khmer Rouge. Before the stars dimmed, before so many suns perished, before there was night — there was music, joy and life. Music was life. Music was the world, and the world’s beat was alive in Cambodia. The Phnom Penh pulse throbbed with spectacular talent, reverbed with Angkor Wattage, and surged from capital to countryside. Homegrown stars brought Cambodian flair and glamour to pop, soul, funk, the cha-cha-cha and, of course, rock ‘n’ roll. While Vietnam raged, vinyl dropped and the country was vibrant with hope for a post-colonial rebirth. American bombs and military rule dampened the groove, and Pol Pot snuffed it out; songs of love turned to the spilling of blood.

John Pirozzi’s sparkling film elegantly reveals the beauty of Cambodian culture pre-1975, giving the mic to artists like Sinn Sisamouth, Ros Serey Sothea, Pen Ran and Yol Aularong — who all perished in the genocide. They live again on screen, and the music pulses again in Cambodia, whose beauty is resilient.

– Ravi Chandra

Expected Guests in Attendance: John Pirozzi (Director) for March 18 and March 19 screenings

Co-Presenter: Southeast Asian Cultural Heritage & Musical Performing Arts

Credits

Executive Producer: Bradley Bessire, Youk Chang, Jonathan Del Gatto
Producer: John Pirozzi, Andrew Pope
Editor: Daniel Littlewood, Matthew Prinzing, Greg Wright

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