"A PEASANT MAN AND WOMAN IN DISTRESS"

Year 1994 Color or B/W Color Film/Video 35 mm Length 90 minutes Language(s) Cambodian spoken English subtitles Director(s) Screenplay Norodom Sihanouk Cinematographer Cameraman Kwak Tcheul Sam Sound Norodom Sihanouk Editor Actors Keo Kalyan, Yuthara Chhani, Khai Prasith, Tep Rindaro

Kem and Nit, brother and sister without parents, work on an isolated farm. One day their meal is interrupted by the arrival of a 'rebel commando' that demands food. The leader, Cheyrith, is moved by the amiable nature of Nit and tells her about his unfaithful wife. Next morning an official is shot dead by the deputy leader of the commando, Man. Cheyrith tells Kem and Nit that their life is no longer safe and that they have to come along with him. Man is congratulated by the radio with his action and Kem gives Nit permission to marry Cheyrith. At night, Kem goes with the commando, and a real slaughter ensues. Between Kem, Cheyrith and Man life and death conflicts break out.

Norodom Sihanouk:

"In "A PEASANT MAN AND WOMAN IN DISTRESS" (1994), I painted the portrait on the one hand of 2 young Khmers (a brother and sister) who were victims of the fighting in March and April, 1993 (before the "untachist" legislative elections of May 1993) between Red Khmers and the government forces. I also wanted to evoke (although very briefly) the serious incidents between the Red Khmers and UNTAC (the armed branch) and the Red Khmer massacres of the civilian Vietnamese fisherman, lastly, the conflict between certain "moderate" guerrilla officers and Pol Pot's hard-liners."