Competition to produce King Jayarvaman VII film

Friday, January 04, 2008
Everyday.com.kh
Translated from Khmer by Heng Soy

After the unsuccessful attempt by a Thai film producer in its request to produce a movie on King Jayavarman VII, two local groups are vying to produce the movie on this famous Angkor-era king. One of the groups belongs to Moeung Son, the advisory chairman of the Khmer Civilization Committee, who wants to produce this movie on the famous king, and the other group is the Cambodian Writers Association. Kong Kantara, the director of the department of culture and cinematography of the Ministry of Culture, said that he received the request made by Sim Vanna, the chairman of the Cambodian Writers Association last week, to start producing this film on King Jayavarman VII. However, Kong Kantara said that he cannot allow two companies to produce the same movie at the same time. Moeung Son said that he does not have any objection if the Cambodian Writers Association wants to produce this movie, then he will pull out his request.

Cambodia wants to film the life of King Jayavarman VII

Statue of King Jayavarman VII

Monday, December 31, 2007
Everyday.com.kh
Translated from Khmer by Socheata

After it was recently learnt that a Thai film producer wanted to film a documentary about the history of King Jayavarman VII, the Association of Cambodian Writers (ACW) presided by Oknha Sim Vanna, sent an application to the cinematography department of the Ministry of Culture, to request an authorization to produce this film by itself instead. The Rasmei Kampuchea newspaper quoted Kong Kantara, the director of the cinematography and art promotion department of the Ministry of Culture, saying recently that the ACW sent in an application to his department to request the authorization to produce a film about King Jayavarman VII. Kong Kantara said that, currently, his department is conducting a research on the history of King Jayavarman VII, however, he said that this research will take a long time to complete before a movie script can be produced. Regarding the cost of production, Kong Kantara said that, based on his own estimates, the video filming of such production would cost between $3 to 5 million, and if it would be filmed in 35-mm format, the cost would be between $5 to 10 million.

Concerns over a Thai company filming the life of King Jayavarman VII

15 December 2007
By Kim Pov Sottan
Radio Free Asia
Translated from Khmer by KI-Media

On Thursday afternoon, the committee for the preservation of Khmer civilization (CPKC) expressed its concerns about an attempt by a group of Thai researchers to film a documentary about the life of King Jayavarman VII who turned Cambodia into an empire.

Moeung Son, a representative of CPKC, said that King Jayavarman VII was a Cambodian Hero-King who ruled the (Khmer) empire and brought in development in all fields. He is concerned that there would be a falsification of history in the attempt to produce the documentary by Thailand.

Moeung Son said: “If they are (filming this documentary), we are certain that they will falsify history to serve their interests instead. I want the prime minister who is currently (financing) to film the Sdach Korn movie, to film the story of King Jayavarman VII instead.”

The reaction of Moeung Son came after a group of Thai researchers, including Chharon Vadanasin, came to visit Cambodian royal academicians last August to ask for cooperation in providing them with certain documents in the Thai plan to film this documentary.

Ros Chantrabot (who was financed by Hun Sen to rewrite the story of Sdach Korn), the vice-president of the Cambodian Royal Academy, indicated that during the 2-hour meeting with the Thai side, the Thai sweet talked about the relationships between the two countries, nevertheless, he rejected the cooperation. He said that, up until now, he is still concerned about this Thai attempt, because, if the Thai films the documentary, then distributes the film all over the world, and only then that Cambodia will issue its diplomatic reactions, it would be too late already. This is the reason why Ros Chatrabot is making additional pleas on this issue.

Ros Chantrabot said: “Please think, especially, (Khmer) film producers or those who love the Khmer culture, please pay attention (to this issue), and produce a film (about King Jayavarman VII) that bears the international standard. I am confident that if this is undertaken, we will not lose, it will also become a pride for our nation as well. At that time, I will cooperate (with such Cambodian film producer) and I will provide all the documents, and I will provide full help.”

An official from the ministry of culture unofficially said that the Thai film producers plan to film in Siem Reap, but that up to now, the ministry does not know about the progress of this Thai group.

Him Chhem, the secretary of state from the ministry of culture indicated that he does not know about this issue, and his ministry did not provide any authorization to produce such film either.

It should be reminded that, in 2003, the Thai embassy on Phnom Penh was torched down by several thousands of angry Cambodians following a report printed in a Cambodian newspaper indicating that Thai actress Suwanan Kongying, called Phkay Proeuk (Morning Star), said on Thai TV that Angkor Wat belongs to Thailand.

Thai embassy clarifies the plan to produce a film about King Jayavarman VII

15 December 2007
By Mayarith
Radio Free Asia
Translated from Khmer by KI-Media

In the latest report regarding the filming of a documentary on Jayavarman VII by a Thai film producer, the Thai embassy issued a statement today indicating that the Thai film production company does not plan to produce this film all by itself.

The Thai company only proposed to Cambodia to cooperate to help Cambodia, should Cambodia wants to produce a film on King Jayavarman VII by itself. Through this proposal, the Thai company said that it has several past experiences filming historical movies about former famous Thai kings, such as king Naresuan for example. However, regarding the script on King Jayavarman VII’s film, it is all up to the scriptwriter and the Thai company would provide technical support only.

Thailand clarifies that because it wanted to provide help, this issue ended up creating a problem instead, so the Thai company has decided to leave this project aside for now.

Thailand indicated that, should Cambodia changes its mind in the future, and considers that this idea is good, then it can ask Thailand to help, and Thailand would be please to oblige.