Ms. Poan Phoung Bopha produced and directed the film “Who am I?,” a tragedy that illustrates a love affair between two lesbians. The film drew a lot of attention, reaching an audience of around 4,000 and both national and international media. Poan Phoung Bopha was born in November 1955. In 1972, at age 17, she became a novelist and worked as reporter for Pro Chea Chun (people newspaper) for three years. From 1993 to 1998, she worked for Rakmey Kampuchea Daily newspaper. From 1997 to 2003, she was a co-director of the Women’s Media Center, responsible for media campaigns. She has been producing films for Rock Production of CTN since 2004.
1. Why did you have the idea of creating this film? Who was your target audience?
The idea had been in my mind since 2004, when I first worked for the Cambodian Television Network, CTN. I recognized that most people in the cosmetics business are gays or lesbians, although they didn’t of course tell me straight away that they were. I was working with these people every day, and they told me every single point of their stories. It was a new topic to raise in Cambodia, which has never been produced before, especially related to this small group of people. Things were not always easy. I had to do a lot of research on whether my audience would watch this film or not. I had to observe a lot of events happening in the star life. After that, it was quite lucky enough to find a love affair between two women (Ms. Chea Ratha and Ms. In Sok Lyda). Many people wanted to know more how lesbians live and love each other, especially in sexual matters. There I go, my film will be applauded.
2. Have you ever thought of getting reaction from the audience?
I have heard some criticism from wives of high-ranking officials since the beginning of the film, that this film will provoke emotions among those lesbians and please the group only. I just want them to go and watch my film first before they judge. I don’t mean to provoke, but no matter if a person is a lesbian or a gay, they are born with it. And it is not because they watch my film for two hours, so they want to change their personalities or sexual orientations. But it is what nature has done to them. However, the audiences who have already watched my film have not shown any negative feedback to me.
3. Did you make your film to please yourself or the audience?
My objective is to help reduce social discrimination against lesbians or gays and give better education to these people, since it is so hard for them to live in society. At workplaces, these people are not given fair opportunities; they are looked down on by people who do not take the chance to know them. My audience would understand and cut down prejudice toward this group.
4. Where do you get the fund from? How much does it cost?
I spent my own money, around US$ 20,000, making this film. I spent 6 months writing scripts, plus 3 months filming. The movie was filmed in some tourist sites in Cambodia, which I think was useful for foreigners who would like to visit this country. (The film will be available in an English subtitle from 21 April.)
5. If compared to the previous film you made, is this your most outstanding, or did it consume a lot of time? Any difficulties?
This is a new topic that has never happened in Cambodian film history. I have seen local and foreign media become interested about my film, so I would say that this film raises me higher in popularity among the 19 films that I have produced.
Anyway, I was at first concerned about the license from the Ministry of Fine Arts. I waited restlessly just to get approval of my film, as I was afraid they would think this film is against Cambodian culture. What is more difficult than that is I will have to get plenty of feedback from society. For each sequence, it is really hard for the actresses to act like real lovers. And it was my big responsibility to produce a film exactly like what's written in the script.
6. Do you think Cambodian families, especially parents, will change their way of thinking after watching your film?
I don’t think they will change their perception and let their daughter or son love and marry a same-sex person. And, I won’t think it will happen now since Cambodian people think same-sex love is very immoral and a discredit to the family's reputation. Even though my film does not cover everything about same-sex love, it at least can show a small part of truth that the love story of lesbians and gays exists.
7. Up to now, how many people have watched? And will you screen on TV?
Approximately 500-1000 tickets are sold out per day for both two theaters (Siam Reap and Phnom Penh). I am not yet sure if it will be screened on TV but if it does, maybe in 2010.
8. What will your future films be?
For the time being I am just producing films for Rock Production, which are to be screened on CTN right now. And I have not thought of making a new one yet. Film production costs a fortune and like a short blaze if producers run out of ideas to produce the most catchy ones. In Cambodia, nowadays the film industry is becoming less powerful, as there is not enough market for it. Besides, Cambodian filmmakers' strong competitors are television, which purchase cheap foreign films, and piracy film businesses.
This film could be my last film, as I am getting older now. It’s impossible to produce films if you don’t have money. I may start my first career again as a novelist after ending the film because I am not going to spend a lot on it.
Monks standing in line to get food from old age people on new year day in pagoda.
A nun is resting after feeling so tired. A man thinking about the something. This year there are not so many people go to celebrate new year day since they are facing economic crisis.