December 16, 2022
SIEM REAP, CAMBODIA – The Cambodian Ministry of Culture and Fine Art, invited Surviving Bokator to screen at the Angkor Wat temple complex, as part of the ceremonies to commemorate Kun L’Bokator’s inscription on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity list. The event drew a record audience for the film of over 2,000, which was presented for the first time with Khmer subtitles.
Canadian production company Cineboxx Films, said that the invitation and screening on the Terrance Of Elephants, the ancient army parading grounds of the 12th century Angkorian kings, was “a tremendous honour and privilege, as only a few films have ever been permitted to screen at the UNESCO archeological site.” Angelina Jolie’s First They Killed My Father was the first, in 2017. Surviving Bokator is the first Canadian film.
Director Mark Bochsler and the subjects of the film Tharoth “Little Frog” Sam and Darith Ung personally attended the December 15, 2022 screening. The filmmakers express their heartfelt gratitude to the coordinated efforts of H.E. Sophearith Siyonn, Director General of Cultural Techniques at the Ministry of Culture, the Cambodian Department of Cinema, and Loy Te and Chonsun Men from Cambodian distribution partner Kongchak Pictures for making this event a success.