"Enemies of the People" Finds Truth in the Killing Fields

Codirector Thet Sambath, whose father (directly) and mother (indirectly) were murdered by Cambodia's Khmer Rouge regime, chronicles his ongoing project to track down and document those responsible for the late-'70s reign of terror. Sambath draws on decade-long relationships he forged with Cambodia's former second in command, Nuon Chea, and average...

By Andrew Schenker

January 27, 2011

Audio By Carbonatix

[
        {
          "name": "GPT - Billboard - Slot Inline - Content - Labeled - No Desktop",
          "component": "16971022",
          "insertPoint": "2",
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "2"
        },{
          "name": "STN Player - Float - Mobile Only ",
          "component": "18617832",
          "insertPoint": "2",
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "2"
        },{
          "name": "Editor Picks",
          "component": "15769925",
          "insertPoint": "4",
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "1"
        },{
          "name": "Inline Links",
          "component": "16575154",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 8,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "GPT - Rectangle 2x - Slot Auto-select - Labeled",
          "component": "15782206",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 8,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Inline Links",
          "component": "16575154",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 12,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "GPT - Leaderboard to Tower - Slot Auto-select - Labeled",
          "component": "15782207",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 12,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        }
      ]

Codirector Thet Sambath, whose father (directly) and mother (indirectly) were murdered by Cambodia's Khmer Rouge regime, chronicles his ongoing project to track down and document those responsible for the late-'70s reign of terror. Sambath draws on decade-long relationships he forged with Cambodia's former second in command, Nuon Chea, and average peasants who were enlisted in the killing fields. He has crafted an extraordinary historical testimonial: Although he and codirector Rob Lemkin don't operate with the cool ruthlessness of the Shoah director, the results are often as violently direct. They may black out one subject's face at her request, but when they're framing a tight close-up of an otherwise sympathetic farmer talking about how he killed in cold blood or taking in the pained expression on Chea's face when Sambath at last reveals his own family history, the pair's probing filmmaking feels like anything but a compromise.

Andrew Schenker

A message from Editor-in-Chief Tom Finkel: This industry is changing, and we can no longer solely rely on advertising revenue to move us forward and accomplish our goals. If you value independent journalism, please consider making a contribution to support our newsroom and help us plan for the future. : This industry is changing, and we can no longer solely rely on advertising revenue to move us forward and accomplish our goals. If you value independent journalism, please consider making a contribution to support our newsroom and help us plan for the future.

Support Today

"Enemies of the People" Finds Truth in the Killing Fields

Trending