Using life story interviews to understand more about the Cambodian genocide, students at St. George’s High School explore what it takes to overcome extreme circumstances. In this documentary film, survivors describe their experiences as meaningful opportunities to transform suffering into “diamonds”, illustrating not only the impacts of war, but the awesome resilience of the human spirit. The final result: “Life in the Open Prison: Survival Stories from Two of the Millions. Cambodia 1975-1979”.
Followed by a discussion with teacher Megan Webster, students, Elie Dawang, Holocaust survivor who volunteered in Phnom Penh, and Stacey Zembrzycki, Life Stories Project of Montrealers Displaced by War, Genocide, and other Human Rights Violations. Moderated by Ry Duong, coordinator of the Life Stories Project Cambodian Working Group.
My wife is from Cambodia and we now live just outside of Cambodia. My wife was 2 when Pol Pot took power in Cambodia. I have visited many times, talked to anyone who would talk about the Khmer Rouge time, and difficult to find those who would speak more than a few sentences about it.
This documentary was very gently deeply touching, and I thank all of you who collaborated on its production. The trials that are beginnig in Cambodia now about leaders of that time are such a strange occurence, with all the claimed corruption, the "I was following orders" defence, and the bizarre nature of the Cambodian courts make it so complicated. So many Khmer Rouge soldiers and leaders who blended back into society are afraid of how deep the search will go, probably including many leaders of today's Cambodian government.
Many people of Cambodia feel nothing about the trials, they still are in the distrust mode almost universally. It was such a sad destructive time for the human spirit. I recognized some of the video and pictures that I had provided Enbal, and really was impressed how effectivly the modern day shots were used. You all did a fine job. I hope in our hurried world, many take the time to see your work.
Comments
the open prison that was Cambodia
by MacWain Phillips
Mon, 12/14/2009 - 07:22
My wife is from Cambodia and we now live just outside of Cambodia. My wife was 2 when Pol Pot took power in Cambodia. I have visited many times, talked to anyone who would talk about the Khmer Rouge time, and difficult to find those who would speak more than a few sentences about it.
This documentary was very gently deeply touching, and I thank all of you who collaborated on its production. The trials that are beginnig in Cambodia now about leaders of that time are such a strange occurence, with all the claimed corruption, the "I was following orders" defence, and the bizarre nature of the Cambodian courts make it so complicated. So many Khmer Rouge soldiers and leaders who blended back into society are afraid of how deep the search will go, probably including many leaders of today's Cambodian government.
Many people of Cambodia feel nothing about the trials, they still are in the distrust mode almost universally. It was such a sad destructive time for the human spirit. I recognized some of the video and pictures that I had provided Enbal, and really was impressed how effectivly the modern day shots were used. You all did a fine job. I hope in our hurried world, many take the time to see your work.
Thank you,
MacWain
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