Reel Histories: The Artistic Legacy of Cambodia’s Pre-War Film Directors
Join us for our inaugural SATURDAY SEMINAR featuring esteemed Fulbright Scholar, Dr. LinDa Saphan, as she delves into her research and book, Faded Reels: The Art of Four Cambodian Filmmakers 1960-1975 (2022). This work illuminates the significant contributions of Cambodia’s most influential pre-war directors: Ly Bun Yim, Tea Lim Koun, Yvon Hem, and Uong Citta (Kanthouk), to local and global cinema.
In conversation with Leng Len, freelance journalist, Dr. Saphan will explore the rich narratives and historical nuances of Cambodian cinema during this pivotal era. Attendees will have the opportunity to view rare footage from a selection of films. Furthermore, the session will conclude with a Q&A, inviting the audience to engage directly with the discourse.
Additionally, attendees will have the opportunity to purchase Faded Reels from the DMC, along with the newly released Marg1n film magazine from Anti-Archive, which features an insightful essay by Dr. LinDa Saphan.
🕙 Time/Date: 10am – 12pm Saturday, 27 April, 2024
📍 Location: Java Creative Cafe Toul Tom Poung (upstairs/theater)
💸 Entrance (pay at the door): $7 per person, $5 for students (must show ID) – includes a cup of coffee or tea ☕ with free refills
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About the speaker:
Dr. LinDa Saphan is a Fulbright Scholar and Associate Professor of Sociology at the University of Mount Saint Vincent, New York City. She is the author of Faded Reels, the Art of Four Cambodian Filmmakers 1960-1975, the lead researcher and associate producer for the documentary film Don’t Think I’ve Forgotten: Cambodia’s Lost Rock and Roll, and executive producer for several other film projects. As a visual artist, she exhibited in several countries. She has published extensively on Cambodian prewar popular music.
About the book:
Faded Reels: The Art of Four Cambodian Filmmakers, 1960-1975 brings to light the essential contributions to world cinema made by Cambodia’s greatest pre war directors: Ly Bun Yim, Tea Lim Koun, Yvon Hem, and Uong Citta (Kanthouk). With in-depth plot summaries, stunning screenshots, and discussions of 16 rare Cambodian films, this book gives readers access to a largely undocumented period of Southeast Asian film history. A Cambodian cinema history for movie lovers and film scholars alike, Faded Reels includes detailed scene descriptions that feature the technical craftsmanship, innovation, complex storytelling, compelling characters, and beautiful cinematography of each director, while situating their biographies in the socio-cultural context of Cambodian history. Highlights include an exclusive interview with director Uong Citta, and chapters focusing on key films such as The Snake Man, The Twelve Sisters Story, Sovannahong, and Thavary Meas Bong. Extensively researched, this first analysis of the early Cambodian films is an addition to global cinema.
About the series:
Java Creative Cafe TTP presents a series of informative and interactive sessions with field experts on various topics related to arts, design, crafts and local histories.
Our Saturday Seminars are designed to bring together a community of individuals who share a passion for creativity and learning. At each seminar, you will have the opportunity to not only learn from our guest speakers but also engage in discussions and networking with fellow attendees. Our goal is to create a space for meaningful connections and collaborations among like-minded individuals.
We are working towards having a regular schedule, in the mean time you can stay updated by visiting our website and following us on social media.