Prime Minister Hun Sen (center) arrives in New York City. Supplied

Film Interview High on PM’s UN visit

Khmer Times/Ven Rathavong

Thursday, 24 September 2015

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PHNOM PENH (Khmer Times) – Prime Minister Hun Sen arrived in New York yesterday for a series of meetings, with making demining a key UN development goal at the top of his agenda.

But also high on his agenda is a documentary  that had already been in post-production before he agreed to be interviewed  by its director. 

Called “Cambodia: Rebirth of a People,” the documentary by acclaimed director Robert H. Lieberman and Ithaca Filmworks, aims to  show modern Cambodia as it stands on the verge escaping its past and moving forward.

“This documentary will show Cambodia’s development after it was liberated from the Khmer Rouge,” said Sry Thamarong, a cabinet minister. “It also talks about development of a country in the present and the goals for the future.”

There is no mention  of Mr. Hun Sen’s involvement in the film on its website, which lists Cambodia National Rescue Party president Sam Rainsy as one of the people who has been interfered for the film. The public announcement, which was mentioned on Mr. Hun Sen’s website yesterday, came as a shock to Mr. Liberman when contacted by Khmer Times yesterday.

“We thought it was a secret!” he said, saying he was rushing to meet Mr. Hun Sen. 

“Just running to interview,” the director said.

The film’s website describes Cambodia as “a society at a tipping point where one of Asia’s youngest populations is trying to recapture its culture and step forward, past what is arguably the most widespread massacre in modern history.”

Future Hopes

It is the result of more than 130 hours of footage and begins with the country’s horrific past, told by survivors. But it focuses on young Cambodians as well as social and political leaders.

Mr. Hun Sen will address a summit on the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals – 17 targets aimed at combatting poverty, protecting the planet and ensuring prosperity.

Mr. Hun Sen will push for demining in affected countries across the globe to be added as an 18th goal – a move that had success within the Millennium Development Goals the new targets replace this year. The target for the goals is 2030.

He will also meet Cambodians living in New York, as well as a group from Canada.

He was welcomed by UN officials, the Cambodian ambassador and local community leaders.

He is due to return home on Tuesday – the day the UN General Assembly begins its annual session. Cambodia will be represented there by Foreign Minister Hor Namhong, who will also attend the Leaders Summit on Peacekeeping.

Mr. Hun Sen rarely gives interviews to foreign media. The last were in 2008 – one with Associated Press, another with Al Jazeera.