Sunday, January 22, 2012

Theary Seng's Tribute to Chea Vichea

In Remembrance of a Slain Hero, CHEA Vichea

A tribute to my friend assassinated 8 years ago this January 22 for his courage and his advocacy of democracy and labor rights.

We will never forget you.


WHO KILLED CHEA VICHEA?
A rhetorical question as everyone knows.  

I pray Chea Mony, his brother and also a friend, will not succumb to this Commie government's lure of whitewashing its bloody hands by agreeing to have a statue of Chea Vichea built this election year.  Sacred remembrance is what we are after, not political exploitation and manipulation.
Recently, I was asked by the producer of the award-winning film WHO KILLED CHEA VICHEA? to endorse this film which has been nominated for another very prestigious award.  Without prematurely naming the award, here is my endorsement in celebration of a very well-lived life.


Delivery by E-mail: rich@loudmouthfilms.net 

10 January 2012

[DELETE]
c/o Mr. Rich Garella Loud Mouth Films 
Re: Endorsement of Who Killed Chea Vichea?
To the [DELETE] Award Committee:

I write to endorse resoundingly the outstanding Who Killed Chea Vichea?, a documentary film which speaks volumes not only about the impunity and injustices existing in present-day Cambodia but also about the tenacity, the courage, the sacrifice, the brilliance of the filmmakers in casting light on the macabre existence of a long-suffering Cambodian people on film for the international audience.

The film deeply draws us—both Cambodian and non-Cambodian watchers alike—in with its brilliant, dangerous detective work to uncover the high-profile killing of Chea Vichea committed at the highest level of government. The feat made the more astounding because it is Cambodia where nothing is what it seems, even after one has peeled and peeled and peeled away the layers of obfuscation and obstruction. The other feat made equally impressive is the filmmakers’ ability to captivate audience who may not know much about Cambodia in telling this complex yet simple real-life political murder mystery.

I knew Chea Vichea as a friend and colleague and knew about the making of this film from its earliest stages. I saw the rough cut of the film as well as watched it a couple of times since its public release, including as a panelist with students at the University of Michigan. I am spell-bound every time I watch it. Other reactions have been one of awe, shock and disbelief at the real-life drama.

It is an important story for all audiences, both in and outside Cambodia, because it has relevance for all audiences. For example, Cambodia has an annual national budget of 2 Billion US dollars, half of which come from international assistance, the hard-earned money of tax-payers of mainly western nations. These taxpayers need to understand better how their money is being used in a place like Cambodia. Who Killed Chea Vichea? opens the door to this understanding.

Who Killed Chea Vichea? achieves excellence in all spheres of filmmaking from reporting to editing to drama to music. It deserves the recognition for its excellence of the [DELETE] Award. For me personally, the film is a great measure of justice rendered to Chea Vichea’s family, his friends and human rights in Cambodia.

Please feel free to contact me at theary.seng@gmail.com or +855.12.222.552 should you have any queries regarding this endorsement.

Shalom,

Theary C. Seng 
Founding President 
CIVICUS: Center for Cambodian Civic Education






3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hun Sen is the powerful leader and there will be no revolution dare to raise up during his time. Hun Sen evictes all the poor in order to show his absolute power and prove that there will be no lotus or jasmine revolution dare to raise up in his kingdom of wonder.

Anonymous said...

Hun Sen ordered to killed Mr. Chea Vichea. So what are you going to do about that Lotus Revolution?

Anonymous said...

Hun Sen said " all Lotus revolution leaders are opportunistic pigs, they are coward people"