PRESS RELEASES
As a long-time partner of CIFF since 2019, the hotel is pleased to welcome the local community for free screenings while raising awareness about Cambodia’s rich history of filmmaking.
June 23, 2022
Rosewood Phnom Penh is proud to be an official partner of the 11th Cambodia International Film Festival (CIFF) for the fourth consecutive year. Shining a light on Khmer cinema, the influential festival will return this summer from June 28 to July 3 with a captivating program of free film screenings across more than 10 venues in Phnom Penh, including the hotel’s elegant Salons.
As one of CIFF’s official event partners, Rosewood Phnom Penh will host 20 free screenings in its prestigious venue for movie-goers from all walks of life to enjoy. Among the lineup, Rosewood Phnom Penh will showcase “Cirque du Cambodia”, a documentary about two teenagers who embark on a circus training program with Cambodian non-profit Phare Ponleu Selpak and aspire to become the first Cambodians to perform with Cirque du Soleil.
The hotel will also host a screening of “An Apostle of Non-Violence”, a 1997 Cambodian short film written and directed by the late Cambodian King, Norodom Sihanouk, and the 2020 documentary film “Irradiated (Irradiés)” about the atrocities of war. Directed by Oscar-nominated Cambodian arthouse filmmaker Rithy Panh, “Irradiated” was shortlisted to compete for the Golden Bear prize at the 70th Berlin International Film Festival. Other highlights include the 2019 Australian drama “Buoyancy”, about human trafficking in Southeast Asia and “Lotus Sports Club”, a documentary in which Cambodian filmmaker Vanna Hem explores notions of family, identity and LGBTQ+ life in Cambodia through the lens of football.
Filmmaking has deep roots in Cambodia, where the local industry is known for its diversity, innovation and heritage. From the 1950s to the ‘70s, Cambodia experienced a “golden age” of cinema with hundreds of new productions and emerging local talents. In recent years, the industry has seen renewed momentum as Cambodian filmmaking garners recognition on the world stage.
At the Cannes Film Festival in May, critics and viewers alike praised Cambodian-French producer Davy Chou's film “Return to Seoul”, in which a Korean woman, who was adopted as a baby in France, traces her roots back to Seoul. Veteran Cambodian filmmaker Rithy Panh, a founding member of CIFF, was also at Cannes, where he held a distinguished role as the Jury President Of Cannes’ TikTok Short Film Competition.
Earlier this year, the Berlinale (the Berlin International Film Festival) hosted the world premiere of Panh’s dystopian-fantasy film, “Everything Will Be OK”, which took home the competition’s Silver Bear for Outstanding Artistic Contribution. Meanwhile, in Italy, Phnom Penh-born filmmaker Kavich Neang held the world premiere of his fictional film “White Building” at the Venice Film Festival in September 2021, where the film went on to win the Orizzonti Award for Best Actor.
Established in 2010, CIFF has helped to raise awareness about the power of Cambodian cinema at home and abroad. Hosted by the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts of Cambodia and endorsed by UNESCO, the high-profile festival has attracted many internationally recognized supporters, including actress and humanitarian Angelina Jolie, who has served as the president of the CIFF honorary committee since 2016.
“The last two years have been challenging for local artists and filmmakers with theaters closed or restricted to half capacity. We hope to show our unwavering support during the 11th CIFF with a week of creativity, innovation and immersion where the silver screen is at the center of it all,” said Cedric Eloy, Director of CIFF.
By making its cinema-quality screens and sound systems in the Salons free and accessible to all, the hotel strives to bring the community together in this annual celebration of local arts and culture. From short films to animated shorts, feature-length dramas and documentaries, the varied lineup is a testament to the depth and diversity of Khmer cinema.
During the film festival, the hotel will also be exhibiting “The Veal Veaeng Disquisition: A Phare Collective” at the Art Gallery on level 35. Presenting the richness of Veal Veaeng, an area of spectacular natural beauty near the Cardamom Mountains, the show comprises a collection of works by students enrolled in Phare Ponleu Selpak’s art schools. During the exhibition, 95% of sales revenue will benefit the non-profit and its influential scholarship programs.
“We are honored to be one of the official partners of the CIFF, celebrating the rich, powerful culture of Cambodia through the magical worlds of cinema and art,” said Daniel Simon, Managing Director of Rosewood Phnom Penh. “We look forward to welcoming the local community to our Art Gallery and Salons, where we will immerse visitors in unique Khmer stories.”
