Cambodian Film: “Lost Loves” Screening October 3

CAMBODIAN FILM: “LOST LOVES”

LOST LOVES is the heart wrenching true story of Leav Sila, just one of many countless mothers that did all they could to keep their family alive, only to see the vast majority be killed or starve to death in the fateful years of the Khmer Rouge regime. Written and starring Kauv Sotheary, one of only two surviving children of Leav Sila, it gives a brutal yet captivating insight into the extremity of this painful chapter in history. LOST LOVES is directed by Chhay Bora, Kauv Sottheary’s husband. Both being university lecturers, they have spent their life savings on this project, not for personal gain, but because Leav Sila’s story, like many thousands of that period, needed to be told. The new generation of Cambodians must learn their history so as to never repeat it.

WEDNESDAY OCT 3, 2012
Berkeley
Time: 7:30pm
Location: University of California (Berkeley)
110 Barrows Hall
Berkeley, CA 94720
FREE

Movie is 110 minutes, in Khmer with English subtitles, rated PG-13
All screening will have a post-film Q&A with director Chhay Bora

http://bit.ly/No46xF

*Co-sponsored by Asian American & Asian Diaspora Studies,
Dept. of South & Southeast Asian Studies, Center for Southeast Asia Studies*

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PHNOM PENH, CAMBODIA
Cambodian filmmaker Mr. Chhay Bora and his wife, co-writer and actress, Ms.
Kauv Sotheary used their 15 years life savings to produce, “Lost Loves
(2012),” the first historical film based on the memory of his mother-in-law
during the Cambodian genocide.

With no institutional support and no money left for PR/marketing, the film
still proved to be a box office hit in Cambodia. Released on January 6
“Lost Loves” screened consecutively for 42 days. By popular demand,
yielding an intergenerational audience appeal, the film continued to play
on a weekend basis until April 2012. In August, the Cambodia Oscar
Selection Committee (COSC) voted unanimously to submit the film as the
country’s nomination to the Foreign Film category, marking the first time
in 18 years that the country has sent a film to the Oscars.

From Sept 12 – Oct 4, 2012, Mr. Chhay embarks on a 9-city screening tour in
the USA to bring the film to Cambodian American and refugee communities
across the country.

When asked about the relevance of screening the film to a US audience, Mr.
Chhay remarked, “I have to tour this in America. After 33 years, the tragic
memories of refugees who left still linger in their lives, and they need to
share this with their children who were born and grew up outside of
Cambodia. ‘Lost Loves’ captures the memories and experiences of these
children’s parents and grandparents. I believe my film can help to bring
back understanding and love between generations.”

“LOST LOVES” begins the tour with a Chicago screening on Wednesday
September 12, 2012 at the Sulzer Library. On this tour, Mr. Chhay focuses
the film’s outreach efforts toward educational institutions and Cambodian
diaspora communities.

*Official “Lost Loves” Trailer: *http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eQbo8qMkYfs

*ABOUT DIRECTOR CHHAY BORA*

Professor Chhay Bora is an active member of the local Cambodian arts and
movie scene.

1986 Professor Chhay Bora graduated performing art as play actor/director
and writer at Fine Art University. 1993, He graduated Mater Degree of
Economic Science in Bulgaria and 2005 He finished his doctor degree. 2003,
He produced a Cambodian Modern play (Historical story called Khmer Hero,
with 120 actors/actresses. This play was the largest play in Cambodian Play
History.

Professor Chhay Bora, spent his 10 years in teaching business management in
public and private universities in Phnom Penh. With deeply love as an
artist heart and the memory of Cambodian Genocide, in 2008 he and his wife
(Writer/ Actress Prof. Kauv Sotheary) decided to use his 15 years saving
account to produce a first historical film based in a memory of his
mother-in low during the Cambodian Genocide.

——

PRESS ON THE FILM

ScreenDaily.com
http://www.screendaily.com/news/asia-pacific/cambodia-makes-first-oscars-submission-in-18-years/5045760.article

LA Times
http://articles.latimes.com/2010/nov/28/entertainment/la-ca-cambodian-films-20101128

The Guardian
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/jan/24/khmer-rouge-survivor-film-cambodia

*“…generating a level of discussion about the Khmer Rouge that is rare in
Cambodia”

— Los Angeles Times

“The most talked about film” — Hollywood Reporter

“a notable contribution to Cambodian film” — Phnom Penh Post / 7 Days
Feature

*“Lost Loves is the best-looking Cambodian film in years” — Meta House

“an impressive accomplishment, a well-made Cambodian film on a subject
matter
that seems to slip from public consciousness all to easily in Cambodia”
— Dr. Tilman Baumgärtel, Southeast Asian Film Studies Institute

“My movie, I am not doing it for the [Khmer Rouge tribunal]. I am not
doing it for politics. I am doing it for my people, for Cambodian victims,
who suffered, who died… to let the people judge what is wrong, what is
right. This is a true story.” – Chhay Bora (Director)