‘Surviving Bokator’ completes successful tour of Switzerland
Mark Bochsler
05/14/2024
July 31, 2023 RAPPERSWIL, SWITZERLAND – This month we finally had a chance to bring
Bokator grandmaster San Kim Sean’s story is one of determination and survival. Having evaded persecution and death during the Cambodian genocide (1975-1979), he fled the country and survived by teaching martial arts in refugee camps, and later in USA. Returning to Cambodia in 1992, and discovering that Bokator was unknown to young Cambodians and was vanishing, he set on a revival mission. He searched for surviving Bokator masters to share knowledge and forge partnerships, and dedicated himself to teaching a new generation of Bokator instructors by opening the Bokator Academy in the capital of Phnom Penh. He inspired government, sport and cultural stakeholders, and under his watch Kun L’Bokator has grown from near extinction to becoming a sport of the Southeast Asian Games, and receiving UNESCO cultural heritage recognition.
The former monk is the Bokator Academy’s star instructor and San Kim Sean’s chosen protégé.
There is great promise for him, as the aging master is secretly grooming Darith to one day be his replacement. Like his mentor, Darith too has made his financial sacrifices for Bokator. He lives at the club and sleeps on the very mats he trains and instructs on. But now in his 30’s and wanting to secure a future for himself, Darith must confront his needs for self-reliance and financial stability, which put him in direct contrast with his master’s plans for him and Bokator.
In the Bokator Academy, Tharoth challenges gender norms in her patriarchal society by training to become Cambodia’s first female Bokator champion fighter. While at home she provides care for an elderly father who, having been incapacitated by an unusual stroke, is unable to express love and support to his daughter. So, she finds a ‘family’ in the Academy and a surrogate father in master San Kim Sean. But in time she will be forced to make difficult decisions about her loyalties for the future of Bokator.
A former Olympic wrestler, Vath Chamroeun represented Cambodia at the 1996 Atlanta Games, the country’s first Olympics since the genocide. Today he oversees all professional and non-professional sports in Cambodia, and holds various leadership titles, most notably Secretary General, National Olympic Committee of Cambodia. A staunch supporter of Bokator’s growth, he is dedicated to ensuring this ancient tradition stands the test of time.
Mark Bochsler is an award-winning Canadian cinematographer & photographer, turned filmmaker. His work is fuelled by a passion to explore unique stories about the human journey, and push creative boundaries with various forms of storytelling. His career has taken him from the high Canadian arctic for the world’s first 360-degree documentary (The Polar Sea, ARTE / TVO, 2014), to filming wildlife activists in the jungles of Borneo (Orangutan Guerillas, 2015), and the Mediterranean Sea (“Oceans” Animal Planet, 2016), and adventures in between. Mark resides in Toronto, Canada with his partner in life and work, Sandra Leuba, and their two young boys.
Sandra’s thirst for discovery brought her from Switzerland to Canada where she found a vibrant documentary community and a future in filmmaking. Over the past 15 years, she has gained experience through diverse roles in scripted and non-scripted projects, with the last decade, dedicating her time as producer of Surviving Bokator. In addition to her life as a producer, Leuba also keeps one foot planted in the financial industry, currently as Director, Enterprise Risk at RBC. Leuba is filmmaker Mark Bochsler’s partner and together they have two little boys, Lucas and Nolan who have become huge Bokator fans. You might even spot Lucas in the film!
Own your own Collector’s Edition DVD, packaged in a stunning 4-panel eco-wallet, or grab a limited-edition signed poster today!
Your purchases help the filmmakers fund future screenings & events. Thank you for your support!
July 31, 2023 RAPPERSWIL, SWITZERLAND – This month we finally had a chance to bring
The documentary “Surviving Bokator” was among the few sports-related films that won awards in this