Join us for a powerful evening of film and discussion exploring the history, conflict, and cultural significance of Preah Vihear—one of Cambodia’s most sacred and contested heritage sites.

Perched dramatically along the Dangrek Mountains, Preah Vihear Temple is not only a symbol of Khmer identity and resilience, but also the focal point of a long-standing border dispute between Cambodia and Thailand. Rooted in conflicting French colonial maps, 4.6 square kilometers of surrounding land remain contested to this day.

Through three compelling documentaries, we trace the human, political, and historical dimensions of this conflict—from the deadly clashes following the temple’s UNESCO World Heritage inscription in 2011, to the International Court of Justice ruling in 2013, and the fragile peace that has since been shaken by renewed skirmishes in 2025.

The evening also reflects on the so-called “Preah Vihear Pushback”—a tragic chapter in June 1979, when more than 40,000 Cambodian refugees were forcibly driven into landmine-filled ravines along the Dangrek Mountains.

 Screening Program:
• Life and Death at Preah Vihear (David Feingold, 2014, 51 min)
• Invasion or Misunderstanding (Phana Cheng, 2011, 40 min)
• Ghost Mountain: The Second Killing Fields of Cambodia (Virginia Lynch Dean & James Taing, 2025, 35 min)

As tensions persist and the border remains heavily militarized, this film night offers a vital space to reflect on history, memory, and the enduring significance of Preah Vihear for Cambodia.