Khmer Times/Nou Sotheavy
Wednesday, 09 March 2016
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| IT leader of the ‘Proud to be Cambodian” web series editing the next video to be released. KT/ Nou Sotheavy |
As Cambodia’s Facebook generation turns to the internet for their news about the Kingdom, a public relations and communications agency is seeking to capture the group’s attention by highlighting various people and their Cambodian pride.
Tired of the negative news about the ills of Cambodia, locals have a thirst for more positive news about the country, said the four-person team at Quantum Communications behind the new web series “Proud to be Cambodian.”
Since launching their series of Facebook videos on March 3, the site has gone viral. In addition to an overwhelmingly positive response, the videos have amassed nearly 250,000 views and been shared over 2,000 times. The Facebook page has reached an estimated 500,000 people across Cambodia, and is continuously generating an audience.
The project is run by producer Chin Dollars, technical leader Hok Darin, senior editor Joshua Wilwohl and director Julian Rake.
The group plans to upload at least one video a week, with each episode featuring everyday people from all walks of life, simply answering why they are proud to be Cambodian.
So far, the series has only released three videos featuring rising international musician Ma Chanpanha, heartfelt papaya seller Bora Mam, and fierce female Bokator fighter Kiew Chendaroth.
Mr. Dollars says the show has invoked a sense of patriotism among Cambodians.
“It is a series of videos telling why Cambodian people are proud of their country,” he said. “Now we see many Cambodians, especially the youth, who love to share Cambodian culture, especially Angkor Wat.”
Mr. Rake said that the project provides a new perspective of Cambodia, putting aside division and focusing on unity as a country.
“In the comments, people are just relieved and happy to be shown a positive view of Cambodia,” he said. “Not to deny the negative things, but it gives people an opportunity to reflect on their culture and society.”
He recalled someone telling him that one viewer was moved to tears by one of the videos, delighted by the pride they had for their fellow countrymen.
According to Mr. Dollars, although patriotism is often used as a tool by national leaders, the web series will not focus on anything political.
Quantum Communications, which has produced video content for press releases, news and other projects, wanted the project to showcase strong role models and said the easiest way to reach their audience was via Facebook.
“The media landscape here is very fragmented,” Mr. Rake explained. “You’ve got 18 different newspapers, 32 different TV channels, different websites, the one really unifying thing out there is Facebook.”
Mr. Rake said that efforts to display more positive aspects of the country have yielded encouraging responses.
“We started a conversation and people are starting to send us stories,” he said.
Mr. Dollars said they want the series to be about anyone who is proud to be Cambodian.
“Any Cambodians, not just celebrities or famous people because not many TV stations or media groups give opportunities to these people,” he said.
He believes there are many people in Cambodia who are doing good work for the country but are never given recognition for their abilities, and this video series will help give them a voice.
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