Brad with Samnang and his mom
Sam OuenRequest from filmmakers of "Who Killed Chea Vichea?"
22 January 2009
Help make history
History isn't what has happened. History is what is known to have happened.
Five years ago today, Chea Vichea, the outspoken leader of Cambodia's garment workers, was shot down on the street in Phnom Penh. Within minutes, Bradley Cox was there with his camera as police swarmed the scene.
Born Samnang and Sok Sam Oeun were arrested only days later, and Brad was there. The framing of these two innocent men started his five-year journey to record history as it happened.
"Who Killed Chea Vichea?" isn't even finished yet, and it's already having an impact. Samnang and Sok Oeun were released by the Supreme Court three weeks ago, after five years in prison. And again, Brad was there to film it.
While it's impossible to know for sure why Samnang and Sok Sam Oeun were released, many observers have told us that the film must have played a big part in the decision. The government was well aware of it, and the government relies on foreign aid.
But their names have not been cleared. The case against them has gone back to the appeals court. Meanwhile the real killers are still out there. The same is true of the killers of human rights advocate Om Radsady, radio announcer Chor Chatharith, actress Piseth Pilika and many others who have found themselves on the wrong side of power in Cambodia.
As long as these crimes go unpunished inside Cambodia and unknown outside Cambodia, fear will continue to rule. This film is meant to help change that fact.
A typical documentary of this scale costs $400,000 to $600,000. We are making our film for half of that. Beyond putting in our personal resources and countless hours of work, we are making every additional dollar count.
Why? Because like you, we're passionate about the truth. We're passionate about this case and we're passionate about human rights in Cambodia and around the world.
While we are receiving public television funding, it is not enough. We are only a few months away from finishing the movie but we still need to raise money to help pay for a small office space in New York, to help pay for an editor, for graphics and sound mixing, and more. For example:
If you can donate $200 or more we will list you as a donor on the big screen, on the home DVD and in the TV version if possible. In any case we will list your name on the web site. (Thanks again to those who are already there!)
Thank you for your support. May the new year bring justice and joy.
Rich Garella,
Jeffrey Saunders
and Bradley Cox
PS:
We received this note recently from one of our translators in Cambodia; for his own safety he doesn't want his name used:
Five years ago today, Chea Vichea, the outspoken leader of Cambodia's garment workers, was shot down on the street in Phnom Penh. Within minutes, Bradley Cox was there with his camera as police swarmed the scene.
Born Samnang and Sok Sam Oeun were arrested only days later, and Brad was there. The framing of these two innocent men started his five-year journey to record history as it happened.
"Who Killed Chea Vichea?" isn't even finished yet, and it's already having an impact. Samnang and Sok Oeun were released by the Supreme Court three weeks ago, after five years in prison. And again, Brad was there to film it.
While it's impossible to know for sure why Samnang and Sok Sam Oeun were released, many observers have told us that the film must have played a big part in the decision. The government was well aware of it, and the government relies on foreign aid.
But their names have not been cleared. The case against them has gone back to the appeals court. Meanwhile the real killers are still out there. The same is true of the killers of human rights advocate Om Radsady, radio announcer Chor Chatharith, actress Piseth Pilika and many others who have found themselves on the wrong side of power in Cambodia.
As long as these crimes go unpunished inside Cambodia and unknown outside Cambodia, fear will continue to rule. This film is meant to help change that fact.
We need your help now to finish this film and make history.
A typical documentary of this scale costs $400,000 to $600,000. We are making our film for half of that. Beyond putting in our personal resources and countless hours of work, we are making every additional dollar count.
Why? Because like you, we're passionate about the truth. We're passionate about this case and we're passionate about human rights in Cambodia and around the world.
While we are receiving public television funding, it is not enough. We are only a few months away from finishing the movie but we still need to raise money to help pay for a small office space in New York, to help pay for an editor, for graphics and sound mixing, and more. For example:
- $50 pays for a typical festival entrance fee
- $200 pays for a hard drive, or for the rights to a video clip
- $500 pays for one day's shooting
- $1000 pays for screening the film for workers in Cambodia or another garment-producing country
Will you help us?
If you can donate $200 or more we will list you as a donor on the big screen, on the home DVD and in the TV version if possible. In any case we will list your name on the web site. (Thanks again to those who are already there!)
Thank you for your support. May the new year bring justice and joy.
Rich Garella,
Jeffrey Saunders
and Bradley Cox
PS:
We received this note recently from one of our translators in Cambodia; for his own safety he doesn't want his name used:
"This work made me more determined to fight in this highly unbalanced war. Compared to Vichea my sacrifice is much much less. How can I remain idle for Vichea's cause? Once again thanks for your help for the cause of my country. Your work has an incredible value."One day, we will be able to give him the credit he deserves, along with all the other Cambodians who risked their own safety to help make this film. Your support now can bring that day closer.
13 comments:
Just ask Ah Scam Rainxy. He knows who killed the idiot.
Hun Sen Ordered and Hoc Landy excecuted . Because, chea vichea worked for sam rainsy party.
Oh yeah, and what did PM Hun Sen got for that, a new villa, a new chopper, ...?
On the other hand, Ah scam rainxy will gain more votes in the election for successfully framing the murder on the government. We all know this dirty and ruthless tactic to get to the top of the mountain.
Who is volunteering to star in "Hun Sen" and "Hok Lundy?"
Hun Sen has spent millions of dollars building tunnels from hidden locations in Phnom Penh to the Tuol Krasang compound. That being said, the tunnels should be included in the film (if the movie is filmed).
That is a tough question, mate. Potato diggers are too dumb and stupid to play PM Hun Sen or Chief Hok Lundy.
We must help making this film. Who will star the main killer who has already gone with his chopper?
Really the RAIN gave justice to people who hated AH HOH LUNDY.
4:27PM,
You are right. We should ask Sam Rainsy. His answer would be, "HUN SEN". If you ask every other Cambodian on this earth, the answer would be "ah thmil Hun Sen".
One should know Hun Sen and the high officers in the national police, Phnom Penh police, and the military are the ones who orchestrated Chea Vichea's assassination as well as the grenade attacks. It's very easy for ah Hun Sen to make demands on eliminating an individual who he deems as posing "inappropriate behaviors". He'll inform his inner circle. Those in his inner circle will go about in finding the solutions such as weapons used, paying willing perpetrators, create police cover-ups, and pinpointing a scapegoat.
That is the stupidest accusation I ever heard off. There is no motive.
On the other hand, Pouk Ah Scam Rainxy is desperately thirst for power and has been stepping on Khmer back since day1, and who stop at nothing to get to the top of the mountain. Thus, you don't need a Phd to figure out who the perpetrator is.
fear is a very strong motive. Fear of losing power. Absolute rule tends absolute paranoia. Your people and the Hun Sen clan are paranoiac schizophrenic.
Your accusation on Rainsy is just plain stupid in all logical and practical way. Backward thinking is to be expected from CPP supporter though so its not surprising.
Sam Rainsy gain more by having his ally alive then dead because Vichea had influence and say with the Unions. He kept the workers rights strong and he influence their votes for Rainsy. Hun Sen couldn't stand by to see that happen.
Poor thing he saw his power being challenged and like a real dog he marked his territory.
Please note the photo of Sok Sam Oeun is copyright John Vink.
What does Som Archsy and Kem Soakpee-kroy have in common? Use the poor guy Chea Vichea for their political stunt.
If Som Archsy and Kem Soakpee-kroy really want to find the murderer that killed Chea Vichea, they would do everything possible like hire private detector or try their best to look for this invidual merderer. These two scums just use this to publicise for their political gain. Go figure!
11:31 PM
Thank you Brad Adam.
you are the true meaning of a measure of a man. Doing the right thing is an honorable thing to do in his or her life time.
Some people are good with their big mouth and bragging rights. But you Brad Adam is all action which matter most. Thank for individual like you.
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