PHNOM PENH, Cambodia – “Back in 2003 to 2004, when Khmer films were booming, I was captivated. I’d sneak off to the cinema whenever I could, eager to catch the latest releases,” said Cheng Ratana, a 22-year-old student at the Acting Art Academy (AAA) in the capital Phnom Penh.
Ratana is one of many young Cambodians seeking to revive the country’s film industry, which was decimated by the Khmer Rouge regime.
After high school, Ratana moved to Phnom Penh for university and delved deeper into film.
“I started writing stories and even directed a short film. Fascinated by filmmaking, but knowing little about acting, I’ve joined an acting academy to understand the craft from an actor’s perspective. I’m eager to learn how they bring stories to life and contribute to the magic of cinema,” Ratana said during an interview at the academy on August 17.
During the Pol Pot era (1975-1979), intellectuals and artists were targeted, and the population was forcibly displaced, leading to a sharp decline in film production and audiences.
The Khmer Rouge’s brutal policies, including forced labor, starvation and torture, resulted in the death of an estimated 1.5 to two million people. Now, a new generation is determined to rebuild and reshape Cambodian cinema.
AAA occupies a unique space in Phnom Penh — a former lounge bar in a French colonial building, tucked away down a small alley off Preah Sisowath Quay. Co-founder Karim Belkacem Saadi, a French filmmaker, runs weekend classes for aspiring actors who pay $40 per month. These fees, he explained, barely cover the academy’s operating costs, such as electricity and rent, let alone the trainers’ salaries. Saadi said he uses his own savings to cover the costs of the academy.
As a non-profit initiative, the academy relies on minimal student fees and volunteer efforts. To ensure sustainability and expand its program, it will seek sponsorships and aim to secure around $5,000-$6,000 per month to support its 40 students and three groups.
‘I never knew it would be so big’
Trained in France, Saadi worked in theater before transitioning to filmmaking and conducting actor training programs internationally. While in Cambodia in 2022, he was inspired to make a film and decided to first train local actors for the project.
“So, I never knew it would be so big, it would become an academy,” he said, adding that they found a place to rehearse so they can develop and grow.
During a class visit by journalists last August 17, Saadi’s teaching style was strikingly direct. Using his phone as a makeshift spotlight in a dimly-lit room, he paced around, his intensity amplified by the heat. When students stumbled over lines or faltered in their delivery, Saadi didn’t hesitate to interrupt, his voice rising in frustration.
“He doesn’t speak Khmer,” one student said, “but he can sense if we miss a word or a line.” Saadi speaks to students in English but they practice in Khmer.
The atmosphere was tense as Saadi pushed his students to repeat scenes until they achieved the desired authenticity. He demanded more than mere recitation; he urged them to connect with the emotions and deliver their lines from the heart.
Ratana said that at the academy, actors explored a program called Magnum. It involves a book filled with photographs from around the world, capturing diverse cultures, histories, and traditions.
He said that Saadi challenged actors with an intriguing acting exercise. Working in teams, actors randomly selected three photos from the book and devised a performance based on those images.
Actors had to incorporate singing and dancing, creating a 10-15-minute piece inspired by the stories within those photographs, Ratana said.
‘Not an easy process’
Saadi believes acting requires dedication and deep understanding, not just a desire for fame. Seeing a lack of long-term acting training in Cambodia, he founded the academy with a two-year program.
He emphasizes the need for comprehensive training in all aspects of filmmaking, including script-writing and directing, to truly revitalize the industry. The AAA is evolving, adding requirements like memorization skills and teamwork, and exposing students to international films to broaden their perspectives.
“Because in Cambodia, there are a lot of codes, respect, but in cinema, it’s a bit weird. When you see people hugging, it’s very specific and sometimes, it’s a process for them to understand.”
‘Elevate Cambodian filmmaking’
Hun Chilisar, a 22-year-old student, discovered the academy on social media, surprised to find acting classes in Cambodia. She dreams of raising Cambodian filmmaking to international standards.
“It’s not just reciting lines,” she said, “it’s becoming someone else entirely.”
Chilisar added that while she initially joined the academy as a way to explore her creative side, she now realizes she has a deeper purpose.
“I’m starting to see myself as an actor, and I’m excited about the possibility of contributing to Cambodia’s film industry.”
Saadi said he hopes this academy remains an art center, not a traditional theater school, focused on connecting with the situation and then applying techniques. He said that this envisions it as a place that fosters new forms and takes risks, inspiring the next generation of artists. – Rappler.com
Prak Chan Thul, Kiripost‘s Editor-in-Chief, is a seasoned journalist with over two decades of experience, including 14 years at Reuters. He is one of Rappler’s #FactsMatter Fellows for 2024.