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Summary:

As a young child, Kodaim Ear survived the suffering the Khmer Rouge inflicted on Cambodia. He lost his parents and three sisters and was saved by his cunning and determined grandfather who enabled the remaining family members to survive the rigors of forced labor in the countryside. Now thirty and recently married, Kodaim resolves to revisit the land of his childhood, to re-trace his terrifying journey to freedom. He needs to "face the demons" by putting the images of terror to rest and restoring the memory of his parents. Along with Kodaim's personal story, this compelling documentary traces the history of Cambodia from the reign of King Sihanouk, to his overthrow, with American support, by Lon Nol, a right wing former police chief. This corrupt regime was toppled by the insurgent Khmer Rouge and the country spiraled downward into mayhem and genocide. We hear first hand how the cities were emptied out, and the professional class forced into rural areas to work the land. People starved, sickened and died. When war broke out between Vietnam and Cambodia, Kodaim and his grandfather fled to safety in Vietnamese-controlled Cambodia. But their odyssey did not end there and we learn how they picked their way through mine fields and trekked through mountains without food or water. The path of escape would lead to Thailand and finally to the safe haven of Canada.

Contributors:

Sperling, Gerald B.

Siggins, Maggie, 1942-

Guo, Fangfang

Four Square Productions Canada

Crest Entertainment Pte. Ltd.

Filmakers Library, inc

Languages:

English
Khmer

Language Notes:

Narration in English; some dialog in Khmer with English subtitles.
Closed-captioned for the hearing impaired.

Alternate Titles:

Subtitle on container insert: Cambodia survivor remembers

Subjects:

Kodaim Ear

Cambodia — History — 1953-1975

Cambodia — History — 1975-1979

Cambodia — History — 1979-1993

Cambodians — Canada

1953-1993

Cambodians

Canada

Cambodia

Genres:

Motion pictures

Video recordings for the hearing impaired

History

System Details:

VHS.

Production Credits:

Director of photography, Owen Jin ; editor, Rob Kruk ; narrator, Iva Petryshen.

General Notes:

Public performance rights included.

Physical Description:

1 videocassette (44 min.) : sound, color with black & white sequences ; 1/2 in.

Physical Characteristics:

polyester; 1/2 in.; polychrome; monochrome

Audio Characteristics:

analog; magnetic; mono

Video Characteristics:

VHS; NTSC

Call Numbers:

MV 9339

OCLC Numbers:

52977856