Showing posts with label cambodia. Show all posts
Showing posts with label cambodia. Show all posts
Wednesday, November 15, 2023
Friday, February 26, 2016
'Reviving a Vintage Cinema House in Southeast Asia' - eBook and Documentary from CamboFest
NEW! 'Reviving a Vintage Cinema House in Southeast Asia' - forthcoming eBook and Documentary, subscribe to the mailing list athttp://eepurl.com/bR6XU5 :: In 2009, my team and I in Cambodia rediscovered and revived a vintage cinema house in Kampot, the 'Royal', which hadn't been used since 1989 (it was at the time being used as a water container storage warehouse and hardly resembled a cinema hall...as seen at http://cambofest.blogspot.com/2009/12/initial-pix-content-from-cambofest-2009.html )
While the art scene in Kampot has recently taken off, at the time, back in 2009, there was resistance from some quarters to the idea of reviving the old cinema hall, and factions within the provincial Culture office clashed with old rivals about bringing the Royal back to life for our event, the CamboFest Film Festival - Cambodia's first film festival since the end of the Khmer Rouge regime. Meanwhile, interference by foreign movie pirates and friction among some expatriates within the art scene also made things tough going, especially with very modest grass roots budget - probably 1/10,000 that of a typical UNESCO effort.
I paid for a lot of the effort out of my own pocket...
I paid for a lot of the effort out of my own pocket...
There was no simple, streamlined process to gain permissions at the time, and everything had to be done from scratch. I went to Kampot 15 or 20 times by bus from Phnom Penh, in between teaching jobs, on weekends, etc, to keep things rolling. It was not a simple matter of just asking the family who owned the old cinema hall for permission: there was a difficult and labyrinthine process of figuring out just who to ask to get permissions, and I found that I was often on my own negotiating in Khmer as best I could.
Permission had to be granted from the highest authority at the Minister's office, and although there were many, many supporters, there were also some folks - foreign and Cambodian - who just didn't want to see the cinema hall come back for various personal and political reasons. (*I'll get into this more in the eBook and documentary) Even so, despite all the challenges, the event was a success, thanks to our team, all volunteers, and sponsors including the US Embassy in Phnom Penh. The old Southeast Asian Royal cinema hall sparkled and shone again, after years of dormancy, with an all-digital throughput and customized screen and sound system.
Now, in 2016, more and more cultural events are taking place at the 'Royal', thus bringing back to life an entire sector of the cultural economy in Cambodia, while allowing Mr. Sokun and his family, who are of modest means and who live in the 'Royale', to generate some income.
Today, permissions appear to be very simple and straightforward - unlike the formidable and nearly impossible process we experienced at the time. It just goes to show that a determined grass roots effort * can * make a difference
Kindly sign up for updates regarding the comprehensive eBook (with photos) about our efforts and the historical process of reviving the old 'Royal' movie hall back then, and the short documentary and multimedia project which will accompany it: In the meantime, read more at http://cambofest.blogspot.com/2009/12/initial-pix-content-from-cambofest-2009.html
 |
| Late great Cambodian filmmaker Yvon Hem receives the CamboFest Grabay Meas (Golden Buffalo) award in recognition for his work. |
Now, in 2016, more and more cultural events are taking place at the 'Royal', thus bringing back to life an entire sector of the cultural economy in Cambodia, while allowing Mr. Sokun and his family, who are of modest means and who live in the 'Royale', to generate some income.
Today, permissions appear to be very simple and straightforward - unlike the formidable and nearly impossible process we experienced at the time. It just goes to show that a determined grass roots effort * can * make a difference
Kindly sign up for updates regarding the comprehensive eBook (with photos) about our efforts and the historical process of reviving the old 'Royal' movie hall back then, and the short documentary and multimedia project which will accompany it: In the meantime, read more at http://cambofest.blogspot.com/2009/12/initial-pix-content-from-cambofest-2009.html
Tuesday, January 12, 2016
CamboFest 2016 Update
Hello Friends:
It's been a while since the last update for Cambodia's first film festival, the CamboFest Film & Video Festival!
Established way back in 2007, CamboFest was the first internationally recognized movie festival to take place in Cambodia since the end of the Khmer Rouge regime...our indie, grass roots event has since inspired and encouraged a host of other movie festival events in Cambodia who followed our pioneering lead!
As some may know, the CamboFest event went on a multi-year hiatus to 'wait out' some challenging variables in the local media environment here in Cambodia, in order to allow those to settle and disperse.
CamboFest is now back on track to undertake its first event in a number of years; depending on the number of quality submitted films, financing, and other factors, this may be a 'Lite' event - as was held in 2008 Phnom Penh, and in 2009 in Siem Reap as the festival once again gains traction.
In either case, CamboFest's Khmer staffers are at this very moment (1/13/16) viewing screeners submitted through our portal at FilmFreeway, and are busily ranking and notating those entries.
Given the curve that always accompanies training, our intention is to stay on course for a late March event.
However, given the challenges of starting up an event again in the developing world after a multi-year pause, there's always a chance this may need some adjustment - stand by in any case for any updates.
And always, always please refer to this official blog for verified news regarding the CamboFest event!
It's been a while since the last update for Cambodia's first film festival, the CamboFest Film & Video Festival!
Established way back in 2007, CamboFest was the first internationally recognized movie festival to take place in Cambodia since the end of the Khmer Rouge regime...our indie, grass roots event has since inspired and encouraged a host of other movie festival events in Cambodia who followed our pioneering lead!
As some may know, the CamboFest event went on a multi-year hiatus to 'wait out' some challenging variables in the local media environment here in Cambodia, in order to allow those to settle and disperse.
CamboFest is now back on track to undertake its first event in a number of years; depending on the number of quality submitted films, financing, and other factors, this may be a 'Lite' event - as was held in 2008 Phnom Penh, and in 2009 in Siem Reap as the festival once again gains traction.
In either case, CamboFest's Khmer staffers are at this very moment (1/13/16) viewing screeners submitted through our portal at FilmFreeway, and are busily ranking and notating those entries.
Given the curve that always accompanies training, our intention is to stay on course for a late March event.
However, given the challenges of starting up an event again in the developing world after a multi-year pause, there's always a chance this may need some adjustment - stand by in any case for any updates.
And always, always please refer to this official blog for verified news regarding the CamboFest event!
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
CamboFest T-Shirts Available @ CD WORLD in Phnom Penh
...Design as seen here; Current colors available: Dayglo Green (L), Yello (L), and Orange (M)Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Saturday, November 13, 2010
CAMBOFEST, Cambodia uncovers another vintage pre-Khmer rouge cinema house
CAMBOFEST, Cambodia uncovers another vintage pre-Khmer rouge cinema house
Here for the first time, CAMBOFEST, Cambodia (www.cambofest.com) staff present on mobile phone video one of the four original cinemas in Kampot, Cambodia.
=> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LEndbWYFTFA
Only three of the four original pre-Khmer Rouge era cinema houses remain in Kampot: the 'Maraka', the 'Royal' (re-discovered and brought back to life for the 2009 edition of CamboFest)
...and this one, formerly known as the __________________, to be unveiled for use as a possible venue at the 4.0 edition of CAMBOFEST: film and Video Festival of Cambodia.
Despite a grass-roots budget and largely volunteer staff, CamboFest surprised UNESCO and others in the Cambodian context by re-discovering and bringing back to life the vintage 'Royal' cinema for its 2009 edition (as seen in our blog at => cambofest.blogspot.com )
Founded by media producer and filmmaker Jason Rosette in 2553 (2007), CamboFest is the longest running international movie event in Cambodia.
Please consider making a contribution to our efforts as we help bring a living cinema back to Cambodia - find out more at:
http://www.cambofest.com/contribute/contribute.html
CAMBOFEST: Film and Video Festival of Cambodia
Monday, October 18, 2010
Cambodian filmmaker Yvon Hem receives his Grabay Meas ('Golden Waterbuffalo') trophy from CAMBOFEST, Cambodia
Photo of legendary Cambodian filmmaker Yvon Hem with the Grabay Meas ('Golden Waterbuffalo') trophy for his film, 'Shadow of Darkness', which screened at CamboFest (www.cambofest.com) 3.0 2553/2009 Edition.Trophies from last year were delayed, in part, due to the interference by Phnom-Penh based foreign movie pirates in the previous edition of CamboFest (www.cambofest.com), Cambodia's independent movie festival, now entering its 4th season.
...nonetheless, winning filmmakers like Yvon Hem were never forgotten, and all winning filmmakers have now received their awards*!
Yvon Hem is currently also attached as co-writer to FREEDOM DEAL, the 3rd feature by Camerado director Jason Rosette (seated left in photo).
Find more information about FREEDOM DEAL here--> http://www.camerado.com/freedomdeal
NOTE (4/28/13) - Mr Yvon Hom passed away on August 8, 2012; his generosity and greatness shall never be forgotten!
Thursday, January 8, 2009
CAMBOFEST 2008 Pix & Video (ongoing)
The first batch of CAMBOFEST 2008 pix & video, which will be gradually captioned and organized in an ongoing fashion...
Any CamboFest visiting filmmakers who'd like to include content, pls email info@cambofest.com, it will be welcome!
All the Best,
JR
CAMBOFEST
http://www.cambofest.com
[Note: Angkorian temple pix by David Seaver Photography @ http://www.davidseaver.com]
==============================================>>>
Massive bicep flex for victory after third day of CamboFest wraps...
...Flyering streets of Siem Reap
...more flyering and grass roots street team promotion
...even the roasted Bananna lady gets in on the action
...the old fortune teller prophesies our future; he says "you are still in uncertain times, like a boat which is between two shores..." Later he went on to say that success would be had in the end.
...Heading out to work the first day of CamboFest 2008
...Mr. Tol calls a local TV station to come over and cover CamboFest
...behind the scenes, in the guesthouse: preparing shirts, organizing disks, and taking a much needed breather.
..."Barber of Kigali" director James Cohen discusses his movie with a few moviegoers.
...more discussions
...on the road to the temple to finalize and announce the winners of Cambofest 2008
...James Cohen discusses the plight of indie filmmakers in the 21st century, in Canada and beyond.
Any CamboFest visiting filmmakers who'd like to include content, pls email info@cambofest.com, it will be welcome!
All the Best,
JR
CAMBOFEST
http://www.cambofest.com
[Note: Angkorian temple pix by David Seaver Photography @ http://www.davidseaver.com]
==============================================>>>
Mr. Tol, Narith, and JRosette with the Golden Buffalo in an Angkorian temple on the final day of CamboFest 2008...
Presenting the Golden Buffalo at XBar with CamboFest 2007 local showcase winner, Chuunly Poy ("Boy Drinking Bad Water")...Universal Language winner Norm Fassbender ("Not so Cruel Today") touches the Buffalo...
Support CamboFest with a purchase of a CAMBOFEST Tshirt (Large only - ships anywhere!)
Massive bicep flex for victory after third day of CamboFest wraps...
Resting at the guesthouse...
Other forms of outreach including web & radio spots, aired as far away as New York City:
http://www.cambofest.com/files/cambofest_15_second_spot.aif=================VIDEO====================
...Flyering streets of Siem Reap
...more flyering and grass roots street team promotion
...even the roasted Bananna lady gets in on the action
...the old fortune teller prophesies our future; he says "you are still in uncertain times, like a boat which is between two shores..." Later he went on to say that success would be had in the end.
...Heading out to work the first day of CamboFest 2008
...Mr. Tol calls a local TV station to come over and cover CamboFest
...behind the scenes, in the guesthouse: preparing shirts, organizing disks, and taking a much needed breather.
..."Barber of Kigali" director James Cohen discusses his movie with a few moviegoers.
...more discussions
...on the road to the temple to finalize and announce the winners of Cambofest 2008
...James Cohen discusses the plight of indie filmmakers in the 21st century, in Canada and beyond.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)