Thet Sambath talks to Nuon Chea of the Khmer Rouge about his role in the Cambodian genocide. (Courtesy Human Rights Watch Film Festival.)
A riveting and revealing story—Enemies of the People documents the testimonies of those involved in the killings during the Cambodian genocide, under the Khmer Rouge between 1975 and 1979, where an estimated two million people were killed.
Ten years in the making, Cambodian journalist and filmmaker Thet Sambath spent his own resources documenting the stories and gaining the trust of the perpetrators involved in the genocide.
Enemies of the People chronicles the years Sambath spent building relationships with different levels of officials involved in the killings including right-hand man to Pol Pot, leader of the Khmer Rouge, Nuon Chea.
Only after three years does Nuon Chea finally reveal his involvement in the killings to Sambath. Every weekend Sambath travels to Chea's home, getting closer and closer in hopes he will eventually reveal the truth of his involvement. Sambath also talks to many others, noting that “to get the truth, you must talk to uneducated farmers who did the killings.” He says the majority, who were involved in the killings, first deny having had any involvement, but slowly they open up.
Sambath’s journey has both personal and historical significance. He lost his father and brother under the regime and watched his family be torn apart as his mother was forced to marry a Khmer Rouge militiaman shortly after his father was killed.
In addition to seeking closure to his own past, Sambath uncovers the many unanswered questions as to why the killings took place.
Sambath demonstrates great patience and perseverance in his quest, sacrificing time from his family to answer a very important question for Cambodian history.
Remarkably Sambath befriends so many of the perpetrators, despite the pain of his past. The film also offers insight into the way the killers perceive their past actions and the way they rationalize their actions.
One man expressed his wish for more killers to come forward. “When we find them and they confess the truth, I feel better.”
Film producers, Rob Lemkin and Thet Sambath won the World Cinema Documentary Special Jury Prize at the 2010 Sundance Film Festival and will screen their work this Sunday at the Human Rights Watch Film Festival in New York.
Ten years in the making, Cambodian journalist and filmmaker Thet Sambath spent his own resources documenting the stories and gaining the trust of the perpetrators involved in the genocide.
Enemies of the People chronicles the years Sambath spent building relationships with different levels of officials involved in the killings including right-hand man to Pol Pot, leader of the Khmer Rouge, Nuon Chea.
Only after three years does Nuon Chea finally reveal his involvement in the killings to Sambath. Every weekend Sambath travels to Chea's home, getting closer and closer in hopes he will eventually reveal the truth of his involvement. Sambath also talks to many others, noting that “to get the truth, you must talk to uneducated farmers who did the killings.” He says the majority, who were involved in the killings, first deny having had any involvement, but slowly they open up.
Sambath’s journey has both personal and historical significance. He lost his father and brother under the regime and watched his family be torn apart as his mother was forced to marry a Khmer Rouge militiaman shortly after his father was killed.
In addition to seeking closure to his own past, Sambath uncovers the many unanswered questions as to why the killings took place.
Sambath demonstrates great patience and perseverance in his quest, sacrificing time from his family to answer a very important question for Cambodian history.
Remarkably Sambath befriends so many of the perpetrators, despite the pain of his past. The film also offers insight into the way the killers perceive their past actions and the way they rationalize their actions.
One man expressed his wish for more killers to come forward. “When we find them and they confess the truth, I feel better.”
Film producers, Rob Lemkin and Thet Sambath won the World Cinema Documentary Special Jury Prize at the 2010 Sundance Film Festival and will screen their work this Sunday at the Human Rights Watch Film Festival in New York.
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