Through cinema we show where we exist: Combodian producer at Guwahati International Film Festival (GIFF),

GUWAHATI: “This is our story. Through our films, we tell the world which part of the globe we exist. We represent our culture, tradition, and history,” said Combodian film producer Prach Ly.

Talking to The Sentinel alongside the inauguration of the ASEAN premiere section of the 2nd Guwahati International Film Festival (GIFF), 2018 on Friday at the Srimanta Sankardev Kalakshetra premises, Ly said, “A good movie is always a good movie. The cinematic audience has no geographical boundary. The region does hardly matter to the world audience.”

Ly observed, “We must revisit our kingdom, its history, preserve it and pass forward to the next generation in a meaningful way through cinema.”

Responding to a question as to how GIFF 2018 can bridge the regional and independent film makers with the global producers, Ly said, “A film festival can bring the regional films to the eyes of the global critiques as well as the producers. Moreover, the regional and independent filmmakers can exchange cinematic ideas and narratives taking advantage of such festivals. Festival can turn a good exposure as well as opportunities for regional filmmakers.”

Stressing that budget has been a major constraint for making films in South East Asia, the Cambodian producer maintained, “Stories we select and develop to transform into cinema must be exceptionally well to earn the confidence of global producers. Budget constraint is another reason for which, sometimes, we dare not to go for historical cinema.”

Notably, the Cambodian film, In the Life of Music, produced by Ly himself, directed by Caylee So and Sok Vishal, starred by Vandrith Phem and Sreynan Chea was screened during the inauguration of the ASEAN premiere of the GIFF, 2018 on Friday.