True Tales of Days Gone By ~ UNTAC recollections
Felgerkarb,
If an UNTAC documentary was to come out, the 30th Anniversary of the '93 election would be a GREAT day to hit screens.
Sure, it is a good opportunity for a solid, serious, and relatively expensive documentary that edits together hundreds of film clips, still photos, interviews, and modern contemporary street and Cafe scenes while weaving through a narrative where the world's dreams for UNTAC, and what happened, form a strong base but ethereal frame for what has transpired since. (Feel free to use that sentence trying to pitch the project. ha ha)
However, If that isn't likely to get made (sad if not), then a 20-minute, less ambitious short should hit screens in 2023. It would be great to make something you could be fully proud of, something "Nailed-IT!", but a lessor compromise that skims or skips some important elements can still be a worthwhile endeavour and product. (Easy for me to say.)
I'd hate to have the UN as producer, but as funder, it would make sense. They've done the reports, but few read them, a short or long film should happen.
If an UNTAC documentary was to come out, the 30th Anniversary of the '93 election would be a GREAT day to hit screens.
Sure, it is a good opportunity for a solid, serious, and relatively expensive documentary that edits together hundreds of film clips, still photos, interviews, and modern contemporary street and Cafe scenes while weaving through a narrative where the world's dreams for UNTAC, and what happened, form a strong base but ethereal frame for what has transpired since. (Feel free to use that sentence trying to pitch the project. ha ha)
However, If that isn't likely to get made (sad if not), then a 20-minute, less ambitious short should hit screens in 2023. It would be great to make something you could be fully proud of, something "Nailed-IT!", but a lessor compromise that skims or skips some important elements can still be a worthwhile endeavour and product. (Easy for me to say.)
I'd hate to have the UN as producer, but as funder, it would make sense. They've done the reports, but few read them, a short or long film should happen.
-
- 440 newbie - handle with care
- Reactions: 0
- Posts: 5
- Joined: Fri Oct 08, 2021 2:11 pm
I think this great job of an young journalist is worth seeing. A different point of view of UNTAC and former Eastern Bloc country.
https://aubg.shorthandstories.com/peace ... index.html
https://aubg.shorthandstories.com/peace ... index.html
(Don't you hate folks who comment without doing the work of reading what they are commenting on?!)
Thanks!
I didn't read that yet hristoskoff, just scrolled right on through reading the odd headline, but this, and more, is the serious but words with pictures accessible kind of thing I hope for as the UNTAC 30th Anniversary approaches. Certainly I'll make the time to read it all soon.
A 92% unrelated aside.
Maybe it is already somewhere in Khmer440, but does anyone recall a night, I think it was a weekend perhaps '94, or '95, when a Bulgarian got shot going around Independence Monument on a motorbike? I believe it may have been the same night Carl (Siem Reap Ivy bar, now deceased) came off his bike for some serious facial road rash and assorted cuts and bruises. They might have been related accidents, but I left town the next day and never got clear on what happened. The years have made it even more vague.
Thanks!
I didn't read that yet hristoskoff, just scrolled right on through reading the odd headline, but this, and more, is the serious but words with pictures accessible kind of thing I hope for as the UNTAC 30th Anniversary approaches. Certainly I'll make the time to read it all soon.
A 92% unrelated aside.
Maybe it is already somewhere in Khmer440, but does anyone recall a night, I think it was a weekend perhaps '94, or '95, when a Bulgarian got shot going around Independence Monument on a motorbike? I believe it may have been the same night Carl (Siem Reap Ivy bar, now deceased) came off his bike for some serious facial road rash and assorted cuts and bruises. They might have been related accidents, but I left town the next day and never got clear on what happened. The years have made it even more vague.
hristoskoff,
Now I have read it. Liked it very much!
I've spent a bit of time in war zones and post-conflict situations, but never served in the military myself, so I'm not qualified to comment on the help returning soldiers receive on reintegration once they return home. Your mistreatment is indeed unfortunate, but I am glad you have taken matters into your own hands, and I wish you luck with your association. Especially happy you have taken pains to keep the scope of your organization broad, so it includes not only UNTAC veterans, but also more recent returnees. It is good work.
(I said I'm not entitled to comment, but I watch movies, so here is my two-bits.)
Hollywood gets much wrong, but at least some of what it reveals about the reality of returning US veterans is most likely true. All countries, as often as not, deserve a failing grade with helping vets. Sometimes it is lack of money, sometimes lack of continuing interest, but even when these two elements are there, it sometimes fails just because it is a hard problem: each returning vet is
unique and programs that work great for some/most, fail badly with others. I think groups of vets (hopefully with some support from the state) are very often the best way to help. Outside observers like me can't connect on the level you can. Keep it up.
About UNTAC, it was great to hear a Bulgarian perspective. As well as hearing more from you, I'd like to hear some from street-level Japanese. The later 90's had some fantastic Japanese photographers in Cambodia, maybe some Japanese journalists have reflected somewhere on their UNTAC experiences. Has anyone seen anything?
Now I have read it. Liked it very much!
I've spent a bit of time in war zones and post-conflict situations, but never served in the military myself, so I'm not qualified to comment on the help returning soldiers receive on reintegration once they return home. Your mistreatment is indeed unfortunate, but I am glad you have taken matters into your own hands, and I wish you luck with your association. Especially happy you have taken pains to keep the scope of your organization broad, so it includes not only UNTAC veterans, but also more recent returnees. It is good work.
(I said I'm not entitled to comment, but I watch movies, so here is my two-bits.)
Hollywood gets much wrong, but at least some of what it reveals about the reality of returning US veterans is most likely true. All countries, as often as not, deserve a failing grade with helping vets. Sometimes it is lack of money, sometimes lack of continuing interest, but even when these two elements are there, it sometimes fails just because it is a hard problem: each returning vet is
unique and programs that work great for some/most, fail badly with others. I think groups of vets (hopefully with some support from the state) are very often the best way to help. Outside observers like me can't connect on the level you can. Keep it up.
About UNTAC, it was great to hear a Bulgarian perspective. As well as hearing more from you, I'd like to hear some from street-level Japanese. The later 90's had some fantastic Japanese photographers in Cambodia, maybe some Japanese journalists have reflected somewhere on their UNTAC experiences. Has anyone seen anything?
-
- 440 newbie - handle with care
- Reactions: 0
- Posts: 5
- Joined: Fri Oct 08, 2021 2:11 pm
Well, good you read it.
As far as history goes back the Bulgarian involvement in UNTAC mission is very interesting. The link I sent is just a brief of all events surrounding the Bulgarian participation.
If anyone curious about Eastern bloc (Bulgarian, Polish) participation in UNTAC let me know.
I, for one, have about 12 000 photos scanned from the mission which sit and wait for any curious about it.
Barring any conclusions the Bulgarians (KIA 10+1 people) and Polish (5 KIA) had paid the ultimate price of peace and development of current Cambodia.
P.S. I served in BulgaBatt in 1993 as an sysadmin (and forced translator, haha) back then. First hand experience
Good story and pictures.Might want to go back and change a few things.The bombing started on October 4 of 1965.Lon Nol took over in 1970,not the KR.That didn't happen until April 1975.
I talked to the father of the Bulgarian boy who got shot for fucking with the PM's bodyguards.The way I remember it there were two of them on the moto and one died.But,that was years ago and I may have it wrong.I don't think Carl had anything to do with it.He was smarter than that.Must admit,when we first met about 2002 I didn't care too much for Carl.But over the years he kinda grew on me.He had some good stories.In the end he knew he only had a few years to live.Heart problem.
I talked to the father of the Bulgarian boy who got shot for fucking with the PM's bodyguards.The way I remember it there were two of them on the moto and one died.But,that was years ago and I may have it wrong.I don't think Carl had anything to do with it.He was smarter than that.Must admit,when we first met about 2002 I didn't care too much for Carl.But over the years he kinda grew on me.He had some good stories.In the end he knew he only had a few years to live.Heart problem.
- Lucky Lucan
- K440 Knight Captain
- Reactions: 761
- Posts: 22525
- Joined: Fri Mar 04, 2011 12:24 pm
- Location: The Pearl of the Orient
Yes, I wasn't here at the time but I've read the story. It was Mitko, who was the Bulgarian ambassador's son, and another guy who was maybe English. They both survived. Mitko had a bar here years later but returned to Bulgaria a few years ago. I'll see if I can dig out the reports later.Guest9999 wrote: ↑Sun Nov 28, 2021 1:32 am(Don't you hate folks who comment without doing the work of reading what they are commenting on?!)
Thanks!
I didn't read that yet hristoskoff, just scrolled right on through reading the odd headline, but this, and more, is the serious but words with pictures accessible kind of thing I hope for as the UNTAC 30th Anniversary approaches. Certainly I'll make the time to read it all soon.
A 92% unrelated aside.
Maybe it is already somewhere in Khmer440, but does anyone recall a night, I think it was a weekend perhaps '94, or '95, when a Bulgarian got shot going around Independence Monument on a motorbike? I believe it may have been the same night Carl (Siem Reap Ivy bar, now deceased) came off his bike for some serious facial road rash and assorted cuts and bruises. They might have been related accidents, but I left town the next day and never got clear on what happened. The years have made it even more vague.
Romantic Cambodia is dead and gone. It's with McKinley in the grave.
Yes, that sounds right. Thanks!
Carl was the Brit. (The one that ended up with Pol Pot's last toilet seat.)
Carl was the Brit. (The one that ended up with Pol Pot's last toilet seat.)
- Lucky Lucan
- K440 Knight Captain
- Reactions: 761
- Posts: 22525
- Joined: Fri Mar 04, 2011 12:24 pm
- Location: The Pearl of the Orient
Bulgarian envoy calls for answers to shootingI said to myself 'I haven't been shot yet'. Then I touched my neck and felt a few holes," Bulgarian Mitko Ivanov, shot three times in a hail of bullets by soldiers outside Hun Sen's house.
https://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/ ... s-shooting
Romantic Cambodia is dead and gone. It's with McKinley in the grave.
Was this the guy known as Miko, friend of Paul Guymon?
NIce enough guy, I think his father was the ambassador?
NIce enough guy, I think his father was the ambassador?
-
- 440 newbie - handle with care
- Reactions: 0
- Posts: 5
- Joined: Fri Oct 08, 2021 2:11 pm
Of course there are some facts and dates not entirely correct, the young lady journalist didn't go too far for checking them.Eddie wrote: ↑Sun Nov 28, 2021 8:19 amGood story and pictures.Might want to go back and change a few things.The bombing started on October 4 of 1965.Lon Nol took over in 1970,not the KR.That didn't happen until April 1975.
I talked to the father of the Bulgarian boy who got shot for fucking with the PM's bodyguards.The way I remember it there were two of them on the moto and one died.But,that was years ago and I may have it wrong.I don't think Carl had anything to do with it.He was smarter than that.Must admit,when we first met about 2002 I didn't care too much for Carl.But over the years he kinda grew on me.He had some good stories.In the end he knew he only had a few years to live.Heart problem.
Anyway, this is the best (so far) and well balanced material for the BulgaBatt participation.
Anyone - do you know that there is a chapel in the former Bulgarian embassy that we built in the memory of our fallen comrades? It was the first and only East Orthodox site in Cambodia until recently?
-
- 440 newbie - handle with care
- Reactions: 0
- Posts: 5
- Joined: Fri Oct 08, 2021 2:11 pm
Yep, I have seen some materials in the Japanese press at the time, and I clearly remember one in (guessing) The Asahi Shimbun. They even had special feature on our Battalion, along with great photos.Guest9999 wrote: ↑Sun Nov 28, 2021 3:09 amAbout UNTAC, it was great to hear a Bulgarian perspective. As well as hearing more from you, I'd like to hear some from street-level Japanese. The later 90's had some fantastic Japanese photographers in Cambodia, maybe some Japanese journalists have reflected somewhere on their UNTAC experiences. Has anyone seen anything?
Here: - I can't credit the author since I don't know it. If he sees this I will be very happy to connect with him.
-
- Similar Topics
- Replies
- Views
- Last post
-
-
Tales from Mike Force (Vietnam War)
by The Steve » Fri Mar 03, 2023 9:48 am » in Cambodian History and Culture - 8 Replies
- 1382 Views
-
Last post by YaTingPom
Fri Mar 03, 2023 5:15 pm
-
-
- 5 Replies
- 2318 Views
-
Last post by khmerhit
Sun Mar 15, 2020 6:06 am
-
- 1 Replies
- 786 Views
-
Last post by dejess83
Thu Feb 13, 2020 2:25 pm
-
-
Nearly 800 People Vaccinated on First Two Days of COVID-19 Vaccination Campaign
by Bong Burgundy » Fri Feb 12, 2021 7:07 pm » in Cambodia News - 6 Replies
- 1619 Views
-
Last post by v12
Sat Feb 13, 2021 3:12 am
-