This gripping documentary delves into the early life of Saloth Sar, a boy with a passion for the violin, who would later become Pol Pot, the ruthless dictator behind the Cambodian genocide that claimed 2 million lives between 1975 and 1979. As 25% of Cambodia’s population perished, the Khmer Rouge also sought to annihilate artists and intellectuals, putting the rich tradition of Khmer classical dance on the brink of extinction.

At the heart of this story is Chea Samy, a celebrated dancer at the Cambodian Royal Palace, who lovingly raised her husband’s younger brother, unaware that he would one day become Pol Pot. Against the devastation of her foster son’s regime, she became the key figure in reviving the very art it sought to destroy. Through breathtaking cinematography, rare archival footage, and intimate moments with choreographer Sophine Cheam, this film powerfully explores how culture can endure and even thrive in the face of unimaginable tragedy.

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A trained singer himself, Spanish-German director Enrique Sánchez Lansch often deals with music in his films. His award-winning documentary films include THE REICHSORCHESTER on the Berlin Philharmonic in Nazi Germany, PIANO ENCOUNTERS on a childhood at the piano, RHYTHM IS IT! about 250 dancing teenagers which sold 650,000 tickets in German theatres and recently A SYMPHONY OF NOISE about musician, music producer and activist Matthew Herbert.

Country of Origin: Germany/Norway
Language: In Central Khmer and English with English subtitles

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