Guests often look for suggestions on reading material to learn more about Southeast Asia before their trip. Rithy Panh’s Oscar nominated The Missing Picture effortlessly blends a historical look at life in Cambodia with his truly unique method of storytelling…
Related Posts
I would normally never suggest forgoing a book in favour of a movie, but The Missing Picture tells as unique a story as any book I’ve read. Narrated in French (though some editions can be found in English) the Rithy Panh film uses his personal experience to illustrate the story of the Khmer Rouge’s reign over Cambodia. The film’s scenes are set using mixed mediums — old Khmer Rough propaganda footage, carved wooden figurines placed in handmade sets and even pencil drawings create the visuals need to bring Panh’s story to life.
Originally from Phnom Penh, Panh and his family were moved to labour camps in the countryside when the city was emptied by the Khmer Rouge. Old enough to remember the bustling markets, the feel of Cambodian silk and the burgeoning music scene before the country’s genocide took place, the filmmaker offers a perspective on the past rarely shared so honestly.
Rather than a detailed account of the horrors he witnessed as a survivor, The Missing Picture share a look at life in Cambodia — both past and present — as well as the personal journey of one survivor. The narrator’s story and the accompanying film scenes are as beautiful as they are gripping making for an easy yet educational viewing.
It comes as no surprise that Panh’s movie was nominated for an Academy Award in the foreign film category — Cambodia’s first movie to receive such an honour.
The Missing Picture is an easy recommendation for anyone looking to gain a insight into Cambodia’s past from someone living so passionately in the present.