Unless one is a vile perpetrator, it’s hard to conceive of finding joy during a genocide. Yet, some innocents, too young to grasp the full horror, managed to do so during Cambodia’s Khmer Rouge dictatorship from 1975 to 1979, which led to the deaths of over two million people. This paradox is the focus of “Rice” (2014), a short film by Cambodian filmmaker Ines Sothea, which contrasts the naivety of youth against the regime’s brutality.
Sothea, noting that modern Cambodian media rarely addresses this dark chapter, chose to spotlight a gang of five countryside children who steal and cook grains of rice from fallen sacks. “I was a journalism student and interviewed many survivors, which piqued my interest in how they coped,” she says from Phnom Penh. The tragic history inspired her to tell the story from the children’s perspective. However, the film quickly shifts from fun to grim reality as the children face punishment and “re-education,” reflecting the harshness of the adult world around them.
Sothea’s motivation also stemmed from her parents’ stories, emphasizing how fortunate she was to be born after the Khmer Rouge era. “Rice” was her debut film and won the best film award at the 2014 Tropfest South East Asia. A sequel is now in the works.
Her short films, often found on Vimeo and YouTube, are typically solo projects behind the scenes, with Sothea frequently taking on the roles of screenwriter, producer, and director. This multifaceted approach is born out of necessity rather than choice. “Finding producers for independent projects in Cambodia is tough,” she explains. “I often fund my own films, so I end up wearing many hats.”
Despite these challenges, Sothea has produced, directed, and written for various Cambodian television and web series. Her short film “Life. Love. Bliss.” (2020), set in a TV studio, draws from her small-screen experience and won the gold award for best film at the Cambodia National Short Film Festival 2022. One of her aspirations is to direct a series for a major streaming service.
Sothea’s growing recognition led to her selection for April’s International Film Camp, organized by the Asian Film Awards Academy in Macau. She was one of eight filmmakers awarded HK$300,000 (US$38,400) to produce a short film. Her upcoming project, “Homecoming Waves,” set in a Cambodian fishing village, explores themes of change and reconciliation.
Additionally, Sothea is developing two feature films, one in collaboration with Nepal. The Khmer Rouge era continues to influence her work. “My parents’ experiences during that time have deeply affected me,” she shares. Her next short film, set 45 years after the Khmer Rouge era, depicts a poignant encounter between a victim and the perpetrators, showcasing her commitment to preserving and reflecting on her nation’s history.
READ MORE: