I'm surprised no one has commented on this yet. It's a movie set a few days before the fall of Phnom Penh to the KR. I saw a few ads before it was released and figured it would be a cool movie to see. Something set here and made by a team of locals and expats. Support the local artists and all that... So anyways, I went to see it a week and a half ago or so on a weekday morning.
All in all I think the story line was alright, but unsurprisingly, the movie suffered from a rather low production quality. I like independent films and can always appreciate low-budget films, but I feel like the scope of the movie made them aim for more than they could provide. I didn't walk in expecting anything amazing, but I have to admit the props, sets and costumes kind of killed it at times. I guess we're spoiled by a constant stream of Hollywood-type sets and all that. I don't want to sound too negative, as I actually found they did an alright job given the local circumstances. Still, lots of glaring anachronisms kept creeping up at regular intervals, which inevitably brought me back to the 21st century (running shoes, plastic Vietnamese bathroom mirrors and fixtures etc). The Long Beach neck-tattooed Khmericans didn't add to the realism either. To give credit where credit it due, it must have been quite difficult to cordon off small streets or buildings in the busy city (and make them period-specific). Choosing locations obviously wasn't very easy, but they did an alright job (most will likely recognize most spots). It's always fun to recognize spots you know from your hometown in a movie.
I don't think the locals (students behind me, I was the only foreigner) really enjoyed it. The French-Khmer girl was waaaay too westernized for them to relate to. It was even hard for me to appreciate her or her plight. Not a very likeable character. I don't know why, but I cringed when she and a big guy kiss in a scene early on. The story is also probably too "all over the place" for most Khmers, who typically prefer straightforward stories. It's not like I interviewed them though... I personally loved the big guy though (forgot the character's name). Funny and he played his role well. Only weird thing is that the big guy never sweats, and we all know big guys sweat.. Another possible lack of realism: aircon sets? In fact, the only guy who ever seems to sweat in the whole movie is the French dude, who actually sweats profusely which is somewhat weird given that no one else is sweating. I still felt it added to the realism (think that classic Apocalypse Now intro scene when the guy is in his bed looking up at the ceiling fan). Oh yeah, and the Martini guy was in it.
Anyways, it was alright. I have to admit that it wasn't as good as I was hoping, but I still enjoyed the ending a lot and the story-telling in general. It also helps that the movie doesn't take itself too seriously (lot's of small comedic moments). Expect a B-movie of sorts (though I think it's not playing anymore?).
Anyways, has anyone else seen it? Thoughts? Opinions?
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Just watched the trailer on Youtube. Looks atrocious.
Last edited by Pol Pothead on Mon Jan 18, 2016 8:31 am, edited 1 time in total.
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I've seen some reasonable local films.
This wasn't one of them.
It's wrong on so many levels.
Worth seeing if you fancy a laugh.
Waiting for Purple Orchid to come out.
That should be hilarious.
This wasn't one of them.
It's wrong on so many levels.
Worth seeing if you fancy a laugh.
Waiting for Purple Orchid to come out.
That should be hilarious.
I'd watch it just for Rick Grimes cameo in there.LexusSchmexus wrote:
Anyways, has anyone else seen it? Thoughts? Opinions?
That promo picture looks like some kind of joke 70's parody.
pew, pew, pew, pew!
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I agree, those posed pictures look hilariously stupid. Then again, I don't think it aimed to take itself too seriously. Whether intentionally or not, the whole thing seemed a bit tongue-in-cheek. The acting is far from great, the sets are far from great, the props and effects are far from great, the sound is far from great... But hey, locally made. It is what it is I guess.
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