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“When Elephants Weep” is a Cambodian rock opera that premiered in Phnom Penh in 2008. It was commissioned by “Cambodian Living Arts” (CLA) and loosely based on CLA founder Arn Chhorn-Pond’s childhood during the Khmer Rouge regime of Pol Pot.

It tells the story of Sam, a Cambodian-American rock producer and Khmer Rouge survivor, who returns to Cambodia and falls in love with a pop star named Bopha. The opera explores themes of cultural identity, the impact of war, and the intersection of traditional Cambodian music with Western rock and rap.

Q&A after screening with French-Algerian playwright Catherine Filloux and composer Him Sophy

Roshane Saidnattar, a survivor of the Cambodian death camps, meets Khieu Samphân, the former Khmer Rouge head of state. Faced with his calm denial of the former Khmer Rouge head of state and Pol Pot chief ideologist, the director and her mother return to Cambodia and find the strength to speak out.

“L’important c’est de rester vivant” (“Survive”) – At the heart of the Khmer Rouge madness interweaves the director’s memories, her mother’s testimony and previously unseen archive footage, all set against the backdrop of an exceptional interview with Khieu Samphân. The intimate resonance of this film reveals part of the madness that devastated an entire people.

Filmmaker will hold a Q&A.
Khmer with English subtitles.
Free Entrance.