Le Cambodge a été choisi pour accueillir le Groupe IV de la Coupe Davis 2024 pour la première fois de son histoire. Un événement que le Cambodgien Rithi Tep annonçait déjà en septembre dernier. Après avoir accueilli les Jeux de l’Asie du Sud-Est en 2023 et les premiers Championnats d’Asie juniors de l’ITF, Tennis Cambodia cherche à poursuivre son parcours historique en amenant la Coupe du monde de tennis à Phnom Penh pour la première fois. Le Groupe IV de la Coupe Davis Asie/Océanie 2024 sera composé de huit pays participants : Cambodge, Irak, Koweït, Kirghizistan, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Qatar et Émirats arabes unis. Une excellente nouvelle qui reflète le fruit des efforts de Tennis Cambodia et de son secrétaire général Rithi Tep, qui a également été élu vice-président de la Fédération asiatique de tennis (ATF) début 2024, ce qui lui permet de jouer un rôle déterminant dans la promotion des académies de tennis et des entraîneurs à travers la région et l'Asie. En plus de ses deux nouvelles fonctions stratégiques, Rithi rappelle la contribution de Tennis Cambodia au succès des Championnats asiatiques juniors ITF 14 ans et moins 2023, qui se sont déroulés en septembre dernier au stade national Morodok Techo. L’événement a été un tel succès que la Fédération internationale de tennis (ITF) a demandé au Cambodge de l’organiser à nouveau pour les prochaines années. L’objectif de Rithivit est d’encourager 30 des 45 pays d’Asie à participer à un nouveau programme d’académie. Lors d’une interview avec nos partenaires du Post, Rithi précise ; « Je suis très fier, surtout de notre fédération de tennis. J’ai demandé à l’ATF d’inclure trois membres de notre fédération en tant qu’assistants, pour m’aider à organiser des événements. Comme l’ASEAN et l’Asie nous regardent, c’est une occasion importante pour nous de démontrer notre dévouement. L’ATF considère que le Cambodge est sur la scène mondiale, il est donc crucial pour nous de briller, et je suis très confiant quant à notre capacité à remplir cette obligation. » En ce qui concerne l’organisation de compétitions d’académie et d’autres programmes visant à promouvoir le développement du tennis dans les cinq zones d’Asie, Rithi souligne qu’il a insisté auprès du Conseil d’administration de l’ATF pour qu’il aide les pays qui n’ont pas la capacité d’organiser de tels événements par eux-mêmes. Il explique que les grands pays ont les ressources et la capacité de gérer leurs propres compétitions, même sans soutien. « Je leur ai dit que nous devions nous fixer pour objectif d’aider les pays qui n’ont pas la capacité d’organiser de tels événements. Nous devons organiser fréquemment des compétitions dans ces pays, afin de faciliter la progression de ceux qui se trouvent à des niveaux inférieurs, et le président de l’ATF soutient cette idée. Pourquoi est-ce que je défends cette idée ? Parce que nous avons été un pays pauvre et qu’il est important que nous nous souvenions toujours d’où nous venons », explique-t-il. Il se souvient qu’il y a 15 ans à peine, le Cambodge était perçu comme une nation de tennis en dessous de la moyenne. Lors des compétitions internationales, de nombreuses équipes ignoraient même les origines de l’équipe cambodgienne. Dans le cadre de ses efforts pour favoriser le développement du tennis au Cambodge, Rithivit révèle qu’il a prolongé son engagement au-delà de son rôle de secrétaire général, bien que celui-ci ne soit pas rémunéré et qu’il nécessite un apport financier personnel important. Malgré ces défis, il reste engagé, d’autant plus que ses trois fils sont également des joueurs de tennis. Il exprime également sa gratitude envers l’actuel président de la fédération, Sear Rithy, un magnat des affaires cambodgien qui soutient l’organisation depuis 2018.

Le ministère du Tourisme inaugurera demain un grand événement mêlant culture et arts martiaux au temple emblématique du Bayon, dans la province de Siem Reap. Prévu pour demain, 24 avril, le salon du tourisme culturel Cambodge-Chine présentera l’événement « Quand Shaolin rencontre le Bokator à Angkor ». « Cet événement s’inscrit dans le cadre de l’Année 2024 des échanges entre les peuples du Cambodge et de la Chine et vise à renforcer le tourisme et les échanges culturels entre la province de Siem Reap et la province chinoise du Henan », indique le ministère du Tourisme. « Plus de 500 participants, dont des fonctionnaires, des membres de plusieurs associations touristiques, des journalistes et des athlètes d’arts martiaux des deux pays, sont attendus pour cet événement », précise le communiqué du ministère, ajoutant : « Ce spectacle commun vise à renforcer les liens culturels et à présenter une attraction touristique unique mettant en valeur le riche patrimoine des arts martiaux des deux pays. » L’exposition de tourisme culturel Cambodge-Chine est une initiative du ministre S.E Sok Soken dans le cadre de l’année 2024 des échanges entre les peuples du Cambodge et de la Chine, avec l’administration provinciale chinoise du Henan et l’administration provinciale de Siem Reap. La direction provinciale de l’école d’arts martiaux Shaolin, originaire de la province du Henan, présentera son art martial unique, tandis que le Cambodge proposera également des démonstrations de Bokator proposées par l’Association cambodgienne de Bokator. Long Kosal, porte-parole de l’Autorité nationale Apsara, souligne que l’objectif de l’événement est de favoriser la compréhension interculturelle, le renforcement des relations et la promotion de la coopération. Le programme « Cambodia-China People-to-People Exchange Year 2024 » est une initiative des deux pays visant à renforcer les échanges culturels, sociaux et éducatifs entre le Cambodge et la Chine. Ce programme spécial d’une durée d’un an est conçu pour « renforcer l’amitié entre les peuples des deux nations par le biais de diverses activités », notamment des événements culturels, des échanges éducatifs et la promotion du tourisme. Afin de promouvoir cette initiative, le ministère du Tourisme a invité les associations touristiques, le secteur privé et les représentants des médias, tant locaux qu’internationaux, à participer et à faire passer le message. Cet événement n’est pas seulement une exposition culturelle, mais aussi une plateforme pour attirer davantage de touristes et d’investisseurs chinois, et devrait contribuer de manière significative à l’initiative « Visit Siem Reap 2024 », souligne le ministère. Cette initiative, une campagne de promotion du tourisme, a été annoncée par le Premier ministre Hun Manet en mars dernier. Elle est soutenue par le secteur privé et comprend des plans d’action spécifiques visant à améliorer le tourisme dans la région. Il s’agit notamment de promouvoir les attractions locales, d’améliorer la connectivité entre les principales destinations et de créer un environnement touristique attrayant tout au long de l’année 2024. Cette collaboration est décrite par le gouvernement comme un signe du renforcement des liens entre le Cambodge et la Chine, et promet d’écrire un nouveau chapitre de leur relation de longue date.

À l’occasion de la Journée de la Terre 2024, le groupe OCIC a donné le coup d’envoi de l’initiative Green Oasis. L’objectif de ce projet est de planter un million d’arbres au Cambodge, en particulier dans les zones urbaines. Le Cambodge connaît une urbanisation constante depuis 25 ans. L’initiative Green Oasis, dont l’impact est déterminant, vise donc à promouvoir la croissance de communautés durables et à accroître la disponibilité d’espaces verts publics. L’inauguration de l’initiative a eu lieu à Koh Pich avec la pose de la première pierre d’un jardin d’un hectare, marquée par une cérémonie symbolique de plantation d’arbres. Plus d’une centaine de participants, dont des élèves de 7 à 17 ans et des représentants de diverses organisations partenaires, dont Happy Chandara, Toutes à l’école Luxembourg, ISI Group, PSE (Pour un Sourire d’Enfant), People in Need, The Canadian International School of Phnom Penh, Ecole Française Internationale, KMH Foundation, Archetype Group, LBL Construction, Bureau Veritas, ont participé à cette inauguration. Des entités telles que Eurocham, Camtech University, AIESEC, JKAD, Women Shaping Cambodia, Connexion, Grow4Growth, Coconut Park, Compas, Cambodia Investment Review, The Mall Company et l’Irresistible ont également participé à la plantation des arbres et à la mise en œuvre de l’ensemble du programme. Thierry Tea, vice-président du groupe OCIC, souligne : « Nous voyons une grande nécessité dans l’initiative Green Oasis. Les arbres que nous plantons aujourd’hui pousseront au cours des 20 à 30 prochaines années. C’est pour les générations futures. Au fur et à mesure que nous évoluons, nous devons contribuer davantage à la création de communautés durables dans les zones urbaines et rurales. » « C’est un privilège d’avoir été rejoints par des élèves, des parents et des sympathisants engagés, ici aujourd’hui, et nous sommes impatients de développer cette initiative ensemble. Voir des enfants avec nous est une bénédiction. Nous faisons cela pour eux. Les espaces verts sont importants pour la jeunesse cambodgienne, car ils offrent des lieux d’apprentissage et d’inspiration par la nature, garantissant un héritage durable pour les générations à venir », observe Khun Somavatey, étudiante de Toutes à l’école Luxembourg. « Faisons équipe pour développer des espaces communautaires durables. » Avec de nombreux ajouts ces dernières années, conformément à la vision de Neak Okhna Dr Pung Kheav Se, Koh Pich abrite désormais plus de 2 000 arbres, une promenade le long de la rivière et plusieurs parcs tels que Coconut Park, Treellion Park, Aquation Offices Park ou Elysee Garden. Le nouveau havre de verdure de Koh Pich CBD s’inscrit dans l’objectif d’offrir plus de verdure au quartier, aux résidents, aux familles, aux visiteurs et aux employés de bureau. En outre, l’initiative du secteur privé et des ONG fait écho à l’objectif du ministère de l’Environnement de planter un million d’arbres par an. En 2023, l’OCIC a investi dans une initiative visant à sauver certains des arbres de l’ancien Odom Garden. Ils font partie du programme de conservation de l’OCIC et seront replantés dans le nouveau jardin de Koh Pich. À quelques pas de là se trouve un autre projet d’investissement d’impact. Connexion est un centre communautaire nouvellement construit, conçu dans le respect de l’environnement. Ce bâtiment bioclimatique minimise son empreinte carbone et abritera un centre d’innovation, aspirant à devenir un pôle d’innovation et de durabilité. Les espaces verts et le couvert végétal jouent un rôle clé dans les communautés urbaines durables. Ils fournissent de l’ombre, réduisent la consommation d’énergie et créent des zones de loisirs pour les habitants. En outre, ils favorisent la biodiversité et contribuent à un environnement urbain plus sain et plus vivable. En donnant la priorité au développement et à la préservation des espaces verts, des initiatives comme Green Oasis visent à améliorer la qualité de vie dans les zones urbaines. À propos du groupe OCIC L’Overseas Cambodian Investment Corporation Ltd. (OCIC Group), une unité commerciale détenue à 100 % par le Groupe Canadia Integrated, est l’une des principales sociétés d’investissement du Cambodge, incarnant un leadership visionnaire et un développement social et public pionnier. En tant que l’un des conglomérats d’investissement les plus anciens du pays, le groupe fait office de partenaire international privilégié, alliant harmonieusement les connaissances locales à un engagement inébranlable en faveur des normes internationales. Avec des projets et des entreprises de référence comme Koh Pich, Chroy Changvar City, Norea City, Intercare Hospital, la Canadian International School of Phnom Penh, Dara Hotels Group et le nouvel aéroport international Techo, nous posons constamment des jalons en matière de développement. Fidèle à ses valeurs fondamentales que sont l’innovation, l’esprit d’entreprise, la responsabilité sociale, la confiance, le respect et l’intégrité, l’OCIC s’attache non seulement à apporter une contribution économique, mais aussi à enrichir le peuple et la culture du Cambodge dans le cadre de chaque partenariat et projet qu’il entreprend. Pour plus d’informations sur l’OCIC et ses activités, veuillez consulter le site https://www.ocic.com.kh.

À Paris, le 27 avril 2024 : Le Sabay Festival - le plus grand festival Sud-est asiatique d’Europe - revient pour sa 3ème édition ! Découvrez la culture cambodgienne et célébrez le nouvel an bouddhiste Theravada, le weekend du 27 et 28 avril 2024 de 10 h à 18 h à la Grande Pagode de Vincennes. Au programme des festivités : de la street food, des spectacles de danse traditionnelle, des shows de boxe Kun Khmer, des concerts d’artistes, DJ sets, une cérémonie bouddhiste, des animations dédiées aux enfants, un stand de tatouages sacrés Sak Yant, et l’exposition photo « Le royaume de mon père » du photographe Raphaël Pech. Entre amis et/ou en famille, plongez-vous dans un festival intergénérationnel dont les valeurs sont : l’authenticité, l’interculturalité et le partage. Le présentateur de France TV Raphäl YEM animera la scène du Sabay Festival tout au long du weekend pour le plus grand plaisir des festivaliers. À propos de Sabay Sabay né en 2016 à Paris et a été lancé en 2019 par Dara Thong. Son dévouement se traduit par ses différentes actions menées durant sa vie. Il a en effet fondé l’association culturelle et humanitaire Samaki Kohn Khmer et entreprend aujourd’hui avec Evaan Market et Sabay Events. Sabay, qui signifie littéralement « joie » en cambodgien, un concept évènementiel inspiré par l’émergence culturelle et artistique de l’Asie. Un mélange atypique entre des valeurs ancestrales et une double culture qui met à l’honneur, fièrement, l’esthétique et les cultures d’Asie du Sud-est. Participer aux événements Sabay, c’est se reconnaître, de près ou de loin, à la fois dans une histoire, des arts et une identité unique qui sont parmi les cultures les plus riches au monde. Plus de photographies de l'édition 2023 ici... Informations pratiques Quand ? Sam 27 & Dim 28 avril 2024 de 10 h à 18 h Où ? La Grande Pagode de Vincennes 40 bis route de la ceinture du Lac Daumesnil, 75012 Paris Entrée libre et gratuite. Accessible aux personnes à mobilité réduite Comment venir ? Métro : lignes 8 (Porte Dorée, Liberté, Charenton École) Bus : lignes 46, 325 et PC2 Tram : T3a (Porte Dorée) Route : Porte de Charenton/Porte Dorée Parking : Parking public Valmy, 139 rue de Paris, 94220 Charenton-le-Pont Parking Q-Park Saint-Mandé, Villa Carnot, 94160 Saint-Mandé

It is with great pride that I present to you today the portrait of this exceptional Khmerican, a former career soldier who went to fight twice in Iraq and who became the first female Khmer American director in Hollywood: CAYLEE SO. A big thank you to CAMERON SAM (Rep Cambodia) and Hmong actor and screenwriter DOUA MOUA for allowing this meeting. Here is in my series of portraits of our diaspora around the world the journey of this atypical Cambodian. Interview Born in a refugee camp in Thailand, you arrived in Virginia at a very young age and found yourself living (occasionally with other families) in a 2 bedroom apartment for a few years. Can you give us some highlights of this time that you nevertheless qualify as happy? This time was a succession of welcoming refugee families from both the USA and elsewhere; a transitional housing arrangement for them and their family. I remember it as a testimony to my parents and their constant devotion to helping the community in whatever way they can. At school, you were once placed in English as a second language in middle school by their administration based on your mere appearance. English is your main language. How did you feel? I felt confused, because I considered English as my first language, and Khmer as my second. I also felt a sense of discomfort, because I knew I didn’t belong in the class. But because I was a shy kid with an inability to say anything, I remained in that ESL class that entire year. This categorisation made me question whether I can ever be fully seen as AMERICAN. At 18 you suddenly decide to join the army. Your parents, worried, then reveal to you the history of the Khmer Rouge, which had been overlooked until then. YOUR REACTION? My young age had so far made me interpret this period from another angle. I had not had any really concrete information on the subject. Now I discovered the full extent of the genocide. But following the death of my mother, I dove deep into the subject. This approach became an ode to her life’s journey. Determined, you go on your registration in the army. The reason for this click? A great decision, an intrinsic need that I took without consulting any member of my family... it was a great challenge - especially for my mother - in the astonishment that a child of refugees who had fled the war wanted to return voluntarily... Then you undertake an advanced academic course parallel to your status in the army. Can you tell us about it? Sent to Iraq for the first time, I watched (in the middle of the conflict) MILLION DOLLAR BABY directed by Clint Eastwood … it was a true revelation. In addition, being from a family of 4 children and a low-income family, getting a university degree became a quest. My adage: ‘I can do it!’ ‘ During your Bachelor’s degree, you apply for an internship at the JIMMY KIMMEL SHOW and you were selected … but you STOPLOSSED and had to return to Iraq. An extraordinary scenic moment is happening there once again in the midst of a conflict. Tell us! Indeed, I didn’t make it to the internship and was once again deployed to Iraq. During this deployment, I started to write my very first screenplay in between missions. Then, as the universe would have it, I was asked to write and direct something for the Batalion play competition. It was a competition full of skits meant to boost the morale of the troops. It was a rather extravagant ordeal and I remember our production value and the number of actors who volunteered increased every time we did a new play. On your return you change direction and turn entirely towards the cinema. Why? No … actually during my first deployment to Iraq (2005), my major was Business and I immediately changed it to English – Creative Writing. After the second deployment, I decided instead of doing any internship, I would go for a MASTER’S degree in filmmaking – Directing. I ended up applying to Chapman University’s Dodge College of Film and Media Arts. You then become THE FIRST KHMER WOMAN DIRECTOR in Hollywood. Your feeling? I honestly don’t know if I was the first, but certainly one of the few. There’s a feeling of responsibility towards us – Khmers in the film industry, this community so underrepresented, was felt! What was your vision of women in general and of Asian women at the time in this environment? Quite honestly, having always been in the minority in most of my environments, whether it be school, the army, etc., this is not the first thing that crosses my mind! I’m aware and vigilant about being able to represent, but I also just want to be a good director (no labels). Tell us about your first film IN THE LIFE OF MUSIC? This film spans three time periods and the chosen music will become the common thread that runs through these three eras. The song evolves over 30 years of Cambodian lives. The film was co-directed by Sok Visal. Why this choice? It was important for us to show the life of a Cambodian family through time, and this song (which ultimately plays a protagonist role) is positioned as a major transmission player in this family. It was notably submitted in competition at the Oscars. Today you are back on stage again with the film THE HARVEST where you were chosen as director. Can you describe the frame? THE HARVEST focuses on a Hmong family. Synopsis excerpts written by DOUA MOUA, the screenwriter and actor of the film, says: “After a car accident leaves his family in need of his help, Thai returns home to Southern California, only to find his whole world in disarray. With mounting medical bills and secrets of their own, the family watches as Cher, a tough and stubborn Hmong father, suffers through the devastating effects of kidney failure. Thai struggles to choose between his fractured relationship with his family, or a life free from the burden of traditions“. Your feeling about this new achievement? Great pride… The film will premiere at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival on February 12th. Finally, any motto or advice? '' A film is never really good unless the camera is an eye in the head of a poet.” Orson Welles Interview by Chantha R.

Dear readers, in our series of portraits of atypical Khmers around the world, we are back in California to feature Ousa Khun, a Cambodian writer-director whose film project on the Angkorian era, "The God King - Tale of the Serpent Sister", is currently being developed. The man who declares "It's time for us Khmers to tell our epic stories and show the world that we also possess an incredible imagination" is a soldier's son from Battambang, who arrived in the USA at a very young age, following the dark days of the Khmer Rouge. Benefiting from a youth with little exposure to racism, today he reveals, exclusively for CAMBODGE MAG, some of the highlights of his life's journey. Interview: What were your passions when you were young? "From an early age, I was immersed in drawing, painting and sculpture, until I focused on music when I entered high school. Learning to play the piano fascinated me. Unfortunately, at first I had no one to teach me, nor could I afford to buy a piano. It became my main passion. Then I managed to convince my grandfather to provide me with some money for a private teacher. Although it only lasted two sessions due to financial constraints, it motivated me and taught me the basics of reading and writing music. "Throughout my high school and early university years, music occupied the majority of my life. I composed and wrote several songs every day, recording them on cassettes to share with friends and family." At the same time, I was also part of a breakdance team called the Bermuda Triangle. At its peak, we had 80 members and turned our name into a film production company: Bermuda Triangle Entertainment. At the time, you didn't particularly want to be assimilated to a Cambodian. Why was that? I came to believe in stereotypes about Cambodians and Asians in general. With no Cambodian role models in my life, I had no one to look up to. During those years, I was surrounded by gangs, poverty and gambling. Unfortunately, some of the elderly Cambodians I met weren't the best examples. Even though I knew there were positive role models, I couldn't find anyone inspiring in the environment I found myself in. Nor did I have very open communication with my parents. When did you discover the history of Khmer Srok and that of your family? During my last year of high school, I reached a point where I felt compelled to delve into my mother's life and better understand her experiences growing up in Cambodia. This conversation turned out to be a real revelation for me. I had been oblivious to the immense suffering my parents had endured just to bring us to America and provide for us. What's more, it was during this conversation that I discovered the existence of my two older sisters, who tragically did not survive. As I continued to learn more, my mother gradually opened up to me, and this process led me to develop a deep appreciation of our shared identity and journey as individuals. What are the most striking facts in this story (especially about your parents)? My mother always told me the story of our birth. To cut a long story short, my twin brother and I were born in a hospital with no electricity. There was only one candle, and the doctors and nurses didn't know she was going to give birth to twins. I came out leg first, and I can't even begin to imagine the immense pain my mother must have endured. There's more to the story, but that was the gist of the day we were born. "Honestly, I would have liked to have known my father a bit more, but he unfortunately passed away when I was about 10. So I never really knew him." One story that always stood out was when my mother and father were sent to the "death pit" several times during the Cambodian genocide...and my mother managed to convince the guards to spare their lives, not once, but three times. I also wanted to mention that my father and his friends were the first Cambodians to produce, write and direct a feature film in the USA in 1982-83. How did these revelations affect you? My perspective as a Cambodian American evolved, leading to a deeper appreciation of my culture, traditions and beliefs. You have a twin brother, who works in the film industry like you. Your skills are complementary, but different. What are your respective strengths? Growing up, my twin and I were remarkably similar, even resembling each other. We were always in sync as children. However, as we grew older, our interests began to diverge. I developed different preferences from my twin, partly because we were in separate classes. Although it's a long story, we ended up with different groups of friends, but we always got along well. My brother concentrated more on cinematography and photography. Back then, we shot on real 35mm film, and he even learned to develop the film himself in a darkened room. Whenever we collaborated on projects, he usually took on the role of cinematographer and I did the editing. I now run a small post-production studio where we help each other with our projects. What was your educational background? I didn't finish my bachelor's degree in graphic design. However, in my job, having a degree doesn't really matter. It's my experience and skills that have always helped me get jobs. The success stories of billionaires who dropped out of university give me a glimmer of hope and inspiration. Tell me about your passion for drawing? Although I haven't drawn for over two decades, I do doodle and draw occasionally for therapeutic purposes. However, I've been busy lately and haven't had the time to sit down and draw or write music like I used to. I hope that once my life calms down a bit, I'll be able to find some quality time to pursue my passions again. The advances in AI are impressive, but they still can't compare to the satisfaction of creating your own art and music. You made your first film at the age of 24. Could you describe that experience for us? I'll be brief, because it was a first experience. I can't go into details, but those who have been with me from the beginning know exactly what I had to go through. I may include the details in my memoirs, but it was a wild ride, akin to a life-or-death experience. I'll just say that despite the crazy obstacles I had to overcome, we still managed to reach the finish line and finish our first feature film. It may be one of the worst films I've ever made, but the valuable experience I've gained is what really counts. How do you perceive Asians in general in the Hollywood industry? It's improved a lot, but we're not there yet. All Hollywood executives seem to care about numbers; they neglect other factors. It's as if they were thinking: "If Asian films can make billions, let's produce more of them." However, at the same time, there are films in Hollywood and the independent world that continue to stereotype Asians. It's still extremely rare to find, for example, a dark-skinned Cambodian in a Hollywood film. I don't know if such representation exists, but we hope this will soon change. Despite the challenges, progress is being made, particularly as independent producers continue to tell compelling stories and show more representation, especially for Southeast Asians. What do you think is the place of Khmers in the film professions? The Cambodian film industry is gradually making a comeback, particularly among the new generation of filmmakers. "Although progress has been slow, I'm pleased to see an increase in the number of high-quality films produced and directed by Cambodians." Although we currently rank poorly on the world stage, I firmly believe that the future is very bright. In fact, it was a Cambodian, Haing S. Ngor, who made history as the first Southeast Asian to win an Oscar for his role in "The Killing Fields". You also set up a YouTube channel, which became a huge success. Tell us about it! Many people are still unaware of my fairly successful YouTuber past during my short stint in 2012. By then, I'd already produced three feature films. While everyone on YouTube aspired to be or create films, I took a different path and decided to try my hand at YouTube. To challenge myself and avoid riding on my friend's coattails, I came up with a silly sketch, rounded up my friends and shot it in my backyard. "To my amazement, in just four days it reached a million views." It was featured on the G4 network and various popular social media sites. I even heard rumors that Snoop Dogg, 50 Cent and rapper T-Pain had a good laugh watching my video. T-Pain was so inspired that he tried to reproduce the sketch. However, my YouTube journey came to an end after a few months due to unfair treatment from the platform. Despite the challenges, I accomplished what I set out to do: create viral videos. In fact, I've achieved this feat not just once, but eight times in a row. In 2012, I even ranked as YouTube's 40th best director when the platform still had a ranking system in place. You've directed several films in your career, what are they? I've worked on a total of nine feature films, editing and directing them all. Only a few of these films are listed on IMDB, as I chose to remove my name from the credits for the rest. These films involved mature content that didn't suit my personal tastes. The new films I'm currently working on will be written and directed by me. I still have these passion projects that I've been developing over the last few years. I'm about to shoot one of them by the end of this year. My next four feature films: "My Darling Frankie" (Thriller), "WTH Popcorn", (Action and Superhero Comedy) "Kungfu Earl" (Dramedy) and "Iron Fist Flying Squirrel". (Adventure and action comedy). What have been your biggest successes? My only notable success has been on YouTube, my YouTube sketches have collectively amassed over 200 million views, which is pretty impressive considering I've only been following the platform for a few months and haven't created any content since 2012. What's more, there's a top-secret project I'm involved in, but unfortunately I can't divulge any details about it. However, by the end of 2023, the public will know more about it. You are now devoting your time to writing and directing a unique film: The God King. Could you tell us how you came up with the idea of dealing with an Angkorian film? The idea of making a film about the ancient history of the Angkorian period was born in 1998, when I was at university. After watching the first Lord of the Rings film in 2001, I was inspired to create a Khmer film with this level of visual storytelling. As an avid Final Fantasy fan and gamer, the imaginative worlds, characters, costumes and landscapes further fueled my creativity. In 2016, when I visited Cambodia for the first time since leaving in 1981, I was amazed by Siem Reap and the magnificent temples, especially Angkor Wat. This experience deepened my love for my country and its people. By this time, I had already written a 14-page treatment for a historically accurate depiction of the rise and fall of King Jayavarman VII in the Khmer Empire. During the Covid-19 pandemic, I started experimenting with Unreal Engine, a real-time 3D authoring tool mainly used for game development, as well as video and film production. This triggered a creative breakthrough. I went back to the drawing board and started writing a new treatment, abandoning the quest for strict historical accuracy in favor of an epic story. I finally solidified the whole plot and renamed the film "The God King: Tale of the Serpent Sister", paying a little homage to the classic Cambodian film "Pous Keng Kang" (The Snake King's Wife). Although the two stories are distinct, I wanted to incorporate elements familiar to the older generation of Cambodians, thus evoking nostalgia. How do you create your characters? Most often, the characters I create are influenced by real people I've met. For example, one of the main characters in "The God King, Tale of the Serpent Sister" has many of my mother's personality traits. It's much easier to develop characters when you already know their essence. Speaking of which, the lead actor in "WTH Popcorn", another feature film I'm writing, was specifically designed for him, given his unique personality. To enhance his portrayal, I incorporated a bit of the "MSG aroma" that gave birth to this character's features. How long have you been working on this fantastic project? Since 1998, going through various iterations of the story and title, refining and shaping it into its current form. After careful consideration, I finally settled on the title "The God King: Tale of the Serpent Sister", as it perfectly encapsulates the essence of the story I intend to convey. There are even several Facebook posts from around 2009 where I mention this film. How do you expect audiences to react to this never-before-explored subject? I've never felt so enthusiastic and inspired. There's not a hint of nervousness in me, and that's exactly how it should be. As I began to share fragments and glimpses of the film's visual design, I could see my enthusiasm spreading. This serves as an additional source of creative fuel for me. Finally, what would you like to see in the future, professionally speaking? I used to advocate inspiring each other rather than fostering jealousy. I used to believe this was the key to maintaining a strong empire. However, my view has changed and I now stress the importance of prioritizing health. That means nourishing mind, body and spirit. So, eat healthy, be yourself and practice yoga. Interview by Chantha R - Françoise Framboise

Le Neak Pean (« Nâgas enchevêtrés ») est un temple bouddhique situé à Preah Khan. Il fut construit sur une petite île artificielle, dans le centre du baray Jayatataka, par Jayavarman VII, à la fin du douzième siècle. Sur cet îlot circulaire, est édifié le prasat entouré de deux nâgas. Les têtes des serpents formant l’entrée, et leurs queues entremêlées ont donné le nom au temple. Autrefois, quatre statues ornaient le grand bassin. Il n’en reste aujourd’hui qu’une à l’Est, reconstituée à partir de morceaux récupérés par des archéologues français. Cette étrange statue représente un cheval doté d’un entrelacs de jambes humaines. Elle évoque la légende selon laquelle Avalokiteshvara secourut un groupe de disciples naufragés sur une île de l’attaque de goules en se transformant en un cheval volant appelé Bâlaha. Autrefois, l’eau s’écoulait du bassin central dans les bassins périphériques par quatre gargouilles en forme de têtes d’éléphant au Nord, de cheval à l’Ouest, de lion au Sud et d’homme à l’Est, toujours visibles dans les pavillons portés à chaque axe du grand réservoir. Ce dernier servait aux rites de purification. L’ensemble du site était lui-même au centre de l’immense baray de Preah Khan, aujourd’hui asséché et envahi par la végétation. Le site est supposé représenter l’univers dans la cosmogonie khmère, avec le mont Meru au centre des quatre océans. Crédit Photographique : Olii Thomson (cc)

Dear readers, in our series of portraits of atypical Khmers around the world, we return today to France to talk about journalist and TV presenter RAPHAL YEM. Known for his commitment against inequalities of all kinds, this Khmer from France with a solar personality does not hesitate to put himself on stage to denounce racism (especially during the national whistleblower ceremony Y’a Bon Awards ). Previously on the radio (Radio Nova, France Culture, France Inter) but also TV presenter on MTV since 2011, we find him currently in the show Culturebox on France 4, in 2H2L on France 2 and on the France 3 network. RAPHAL YEM is the ONLY KHMER representing our community on a national network. Discover or rediscover this man with an extraordinary career and family. Your family history is fascinating. Your late grandfather was a powerful man in Cambodia. Describe its activities in a few words My grandfather was an entrepreneur, he owned rubber plantations. He wanted to stay in Cambodia with his workers when my parents left in a hurry. He thought he would join them, but that never happened: I obviously never knew him. Your mother therefore grew up in a privileged environment. Can you tell us more about his duties at Srok? Coming from the bourgeoisie, she was among other things an Apsara dancer of the Royal Ballet of Cambodia. She was also a model, and above all, an air hostess. The Khmer Rouge invade the capital. An incredible anecdote happens when she tries to reach your father, then a teacher, with a taxi: tell us about it She saw that the air corridors were closing, since she worked for the national airline. It was the signal to flee the country urgently. His family joined him, but not my father, who was stranded on the other side of Phnom Penh. She then gave all the jewelry she had on her to a taxi driver to go and collect..." Then comes their exodus to France and the installation in Normandy. How is their new life going? It was a change that could be described as radical. My parents to survive became workers and had, like many, to adapt to local habits and customs, totally new to everyone, and of course to learn a new language. Your parents through the fruits of their hard work, will become forerunners of certain businesses. Which ? Not having stopped working, they then succeeded in setting up the first Asian grocery store in Caen, then later they opened the first Asian restaurant in the city, run by Cambodians. For your part, you know a childhood mainly steeped in French culture. What are your main memories? We communicated only in French, Khmer being reserved for my parents, rather during their arguments (laughs). How will you find Khmer culture in your home? Mainly in the presence of an altar dedicated to the memory of our ancestors, and in our plates. You are told little about this dark period in Cambodia. When do your first questions arise on the subject? The same questions come up repeatedly every summer, being curious to discover my roots, and motivated in particular by the examples of my friends returning to their respective countries of origin during the two months of vacation. And each time, the same answer : " next year ". My requests will never succeed... Reason why later, I will fly alone to Phnom Penh, in a backpack. Later, you will come across hitherto rather secret letters of correspondence between your mother and people in Srok Khmer. Tell us about the incredible idea that came to your mind? Probably dissatisfied with not being able to tread the soil of my ancestors, I decided in an adventurous way to go in search of the distant sender of his letters and to discover a face behind these signatures: the time to discovering the Khmer Srok had come. When you land in the Kingdom, your body and your mind then feel a particular well-being. What is it? "I step out of the plane, a first step on the steps of the metal staircase on the tarmac, and I am immediately enveloped by a familiar dampness, which I did not yet know. '' What will be the highlights of your first stay? Without hesitation being surrounded by people like mine and hearing Khmer spoken incessantly and for the first time in my life. ''It's a feeling that is both disturbing, for the Westerner that I am, and reassuring, for the Oriental that I find myself. '' Your spearhead remains diversity, social inequalities but also living together. What are your most significant experiences? “I grew up, in every sense of the word, in a working-class, suburban neighborhood. It is my strongest identity, so I am marked by the struggles it carries within it: social inequalities, discrimination, relegation. I have often been presented as a "Chinablack", a barbarism, as if to associate my asidentity, and everything else, from negrophobia to Islamophobia, against which I have always opposed. " Your involvement for the Asian community will really solidify with a common project following a sad current event. Tell us about this project This was following a call from the collective named Asians of France, to participate in a clip denouncing anti-Asian racism, and featuring media personalities from all over Asia. Your notoriety now allows you to put forward a number of causes. Is there one in particular that you could put concerning Cambodia? Possibly to use my experience in the media in the direction of young Khmers, on the spot. What's going on there in terms of culture, even pop culture, interests me and amazes me to the highest degree. Otherwise, when they ask me, I accompany the actions of associations like Samaki Kon Khmer or PSE here in France, at the service of the community. Finally, a next return to Srok planned? When my daughter is old enough, my wish would be to bring her: "trample the land of her grandmother, follow the Mekong or the Tonlé Sap, marvel at the magnificence of the temples of Angkor... By Chantha R (Francoise Framboise)

Le Premier ministre Hun Manet a assisté à l'atterrissage du premier avion d'AirAsia Cambodia à l'aéroport international de Phnom Penh hier soir. L’avion, qui a été conçu avec l’image du temple d’Angkor Vat et le mot « Cambodge », est maintenant prêt pour une démonstration et un vol d’essai le 30 avril afin d’obtenir un certificat officiel d’opérateur de vol. Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet a également annoncé que les vols intérieurs officiels seront lancés le 2 mai 2024. Comme annoncé précédemment, AirAsia Cambodia assurera quatre vols par jour sur chacune des liaisons Phnom Penh-Siem Reap et Preah Sihanouk-Siem Reap. Selon la page Facebook de Fly AirAsia, le nom original de l’avion, Red Naga, et son design s’inspirent du Naga sacré, un animal mythique censé représenter la force, la protection et l’abondance. L’avion est décoré de couleurs vives, rouge, bleu et blanc, qui évoquent le majestueux temple d’Angkor Vat, qui a déjà inspiré le drapeau cambodgien. AKP

Dear readers, our special series on rising stars continues, and today we’re heading to Long Beach. Because of her presence in Cambodia this week, we’ve chosen the beautiful SU BLU, this artist, composer, singer and DJ, who proudly proclaims ''Srok Khmer is my home'' and wants to show her ''Khmer pride'' in every possible way. SU BLU in a few words Sulina, half Chinese through her Paris-born father and half Khmer through her mother from Phnom Penh, was born and raised in LONG BEACH, California, and now splits her time between there and Las Vegas. Previously a platinum blonde, it was after a performance at a rave festival where she was supposed to be Marge Simpson that she adopted this look. With everyone calling her Su blu or Baby blu, she decided to keep the nickname too. It's been going on for 12 years now. She believes that blue "makes her better and stronger". Interview Have you ever been told about Khmer history? As with most Khmer children, no one did, so I took it upon myself to do so from an early age. How much of your upbringing is Khmer culture? I could say that half my life is spent in a Chinese environment and the other half in a Khmer one, but I make a point of emphasizing our Khmer values very strongly, even if I'm not fluent... and I love Khmer food! And on that note, I encourage everyone to do so, as it's full of traditions and culture that your ancestors and family would be proud of. Have you ever been to Khmer Srok? Or do you go there often? The first time was when I was 4, the second when I was 9. And by the way, I'm in Cambodia this week! Tell us about the experience It definitely changed my life. I'm "obsessed" with our magical culture and it was a real culture shock. I was there with my mother, and I remember we were helping the underprivileged. The children were my age and it was also the first time I'd been confronted with poverty. I realized how lucky I was. The other point was to compare the difference between growing up in an American Cambodian town like Cambodia Town, and suddenly finding yourself in a place where everyone speaks Khmer. The feeling is surprising. Discovering Angkor Wat also got me interested in our glorious past. Tell us about your childhood and adolescence? I have nothing but good memories, lots of friends who became cheerleading captains or sorority presidents, for example... So I'd say I had a really lucky childhood, thanks in particular to my parents' unconditional support in all my activities. When did music come into your life? My father was a musician who introduced British rock to Long Beach in the '80s, so I was immersed in music from an early age. However, I started singing seriously after graduating from high school. As a DJ, when and how was your first experience? It was so long ago that I can't remember... but I can say that every time I play, I still get the same adrenaline rush. "When I'm playing, I'm so focused on my work that I never drink or smoke. I make a point of keeping a certain discipline to excel in what I do". Do you think it's harder for women to work in this field? Some people think they can take advantage of you, but you have to learn from experience, protect yourself and know your worth. And what do you think of Asian representation in the industry? We're under-represented, especially those from Southeast Asia, but I think a positive change is underway. As a singer, what are your sources of inspiration? Everyone inspires me in one way or another. I grew up in a family where my father was a Khmer rock fan, and as a dancer I'm open to all repertoires. And what are your musical influences? Because I grew up in the 90s, I'd say pop musicians like Christina Aguilera or Britney Spears and of course Aaliyah, Maria Carey or Céline Dion. And because I also grew up in Long Beach, I love hip-hop, R&B and West Coast music. Do you write your own songs? Yes, I do! And I can tell you that I've also started writing poems since I've been able to write. I may have over a hundred to date. What are your main topics? My poems are the inspiration for my current songs. I like to write about love, and I also draw inspiration from my friends' experiences, because, "Love songs are timeless'' I also like to write about having fun and being confident. I've also seen you on a platform called Cyber Kitties Play House, could you tell us about it? It's a platform that requires membership. I like being part of it, because showing my sexy side gives me confidence. I'm also a DJ on the platform, where I can connect with my fans. What are your professional plans for 2024? I plan to release new tracks and new visuals. What is your major professional goal? To be able to play music all over the world and collaborate with other artists. Finally, do you plan to collaborate with Khmer artists in the future? Yes, I'd really love to collaborate with Khmer artists in the future, because the aim is to come together. By Chantha R (Françoise framboise) Listen to SU BLU

Dear Cambodge Mag readers, today's portrait is probably the most difficult I've had to transcribe, because it's so emotional. Bunthoeun Steven Outh, known to many through the Facebook forum "Khmers d'ici et d'ailleurs", has generously agreed to share with us his tragic life under the Khmer Rouge regime. Now the first Khmer to take part in the prestigious Mondial de la Coiffure show, he is now a WELLA franchise partner and brand ambassador around the world, and the man who once heard on his arrival in France "You savages will never do anything with your life" is now a highly committed trainer for the NGO Pour un Sourire d'Enfant (PSE) and a true role model in his profession. This is his story. Born in the province of Battambang, you lived a rather peaceful existence until the arrival of the Khmer Rouge. Your father being a soldier, your mother found a subterfuge to keep you alive. Which one was it? My mother - sensing the danger - and having lived for a long time in a military environment - pretended we were peasants. This meant we were no longer considered a threat. Throughout our years of survival, we adopted an extremely docile attitude, taking care never to mention our past (so as not to be found out). With the regime's cruelty having few equals, what happens to you that reminds you of Angelina jolie's film "First they kill my father"? The day the Khmer Rouge tore me from my mother's arms to go and work in the camps is still a real heartbreak; after that, I knew nothing but hunger and fear on a daily basis. I was only 7 years old. "Later I also ran away three times to join my mother. But each time I was found, tortured and returned to the camps.'' Around fifty families suffered the same fate; every day brought its share of deaths, including that of my nephew, from famine and malaria. My existence consisted of forced labor and corpses to bury every morning. I hid these moments of extreme torture and suffering from my family and friends - including my mother - for years. Could you tell us about some of the other ordeals you endured under the dictatorship? To this day, I can't find the right words to describe the suffering we endured. "But I still have this feeling of great mistrust towards everyone, and this will lead me to become like a deaf-mute." Perhaps a mechanical act whose importance I understood later: one evening my mother (returning from the work camp) took some rice balls out of her pocket, which I quickly gobbled up. I realized later that I had received her only portion of food at the time. Then, when the regime fell, your mother made a decision that also convinced no less than a dozen other families. At the time, no one thought they would have to rebuild their lives abroad, but rather go into hiding to wait for better days. So we went to Thailand. You spent two years living on the borders, under the protection of the Red Cross. Do you have any special memories of these years? My first thought would be of a place where we could finally eat. Then going back to school and maybe the restrictions imposed by the Thai military or being surrounded by barbed wire. But all in all, a small step towards freedom. Tell us about your vision of the French political regime at the time Having suffered the biggest genocide in human history under a Communist regime, we obviously didn't understand the meaning of the French Communist position at the time. The decision to move to France was finally made, followed by the move to Marseille. Do you have any vivid memories of those early years? The shock is undeniable! It's both cultural (the way of life, the language and above all the food) and climatic (like the length of daylight, for example)... and of course, that exhilarating feeling of freedom. And this rage to show the others that I'd be able to fit in despite the daily jibes. Then a friend suggests you try your hand at professional hairdressing. What happens next? After trying my hand at several trades with little success, a friend suggested hairdressing, as I'd always unconsciously done it on others. I enrolled at a hairdressing school in Marseille, where I lived at the time, then knocked on the door of a salon for an internship... three hours after my trial, they'd have me sign the contract! Where would you eventually turn after graduating and the seven years that followed? I'd become a "manager" in a salon, this time in Montélimar. And I would spend the next seven years perfecting my skills in every way I could in this profession. Your personal life then took you to Avignon in 1999, and what did you do there for the first few years? I finally had the opportunity to buy my own salon. I'd bring my own personal vision of hairdressing to it, starting with one employee and ending with seven, two make-up artists and a receptionist. Tell us about your first hairdressing show and what followed Spotted six months earlier by the SCHWARZKOPF team, I was invited to demonstrate my skills at a hairdressing show. "It was a total success! I was then invited to take part in the World Hair Show. Becoming the first Khmer in history to take part, the real ''hairdressing adventure began.'' Now that you're back in Khmer Srok, how do you feel about this adventure? I haven't been able to speak Khmer at all since I started hairdressing, so my return was a real emotional shock. I can no longer pronounce a single word in my mother tongue. The blockage is total and incomprehensible. Back in France, you embarked on a long period of reflection. What were your conclusions? It took me two years to take stock of my life, and then something clicked: the time had come to put this extremely painful past behind me. I'm still a Khmer by blood and I have to help my people. Can you describe it for us and tell us how you felt about it? I met Serge Contesse from PSE at a show. I called him up and offered to help out for two weeks; it all made sense when I started passing on my knowledge. Since then, you've invested a great deal in the cause. Can you tell us about a typical stay at PSE? Passing on my love for my job Listening to the apprentices Getting to know each other's backgrounds Remaining dignified and neutral in the face of extremely harsh stories Of course, teaching them as many working methods as possible What are your fondest memories of PSE? The joy of the children on my first day An indescribable feeling of peace Being called "Dad The solidarity What are your plans for the future? To return ideally three times a year To devote myself to the hairdressing school in Phnom Penh as a trainer. Train the PSE hairdressing teachers there too Continue to do a day at PSE What are your career plans? In relation to PSE, for example, children are so pampered that they don't know how to function in the real world. So bringing the two worlds together to make them stronger remains one of my projects. Finally, you remain a remarkable example of someone who has overcome severe war trauma, and you approach life with great philosophy and a certain joviality. Do you have any advice for our peers who find it more difficult to overcome this kind of ordeal? First of all, I'd like Khmer hairdressers to be more humble and sharing, because it's up to us Cambodians to set an example for other Cambodians. Finally, "I'd rather live than regret. Try rather than doubt. To accept who we are in order to move forward and continue to give without expecting anything, and to give 100% to everything." Interview by CHANTHA R (Françoise Framboise)

Dear Readers. In our series of portraits of atypical Khmers outside the Srok, today Cambodge Mag meets the very quiet and talented iconic photographer (and passionate skateboarder) Vutheara Kham. Distanced from his dazzling success on Instagram, where he has more than 1.1 million followers, it's with modesty and humility that the man who says he prefers "to be behind the camera and not in front of it" recounts his life's journey, and his commitment to the PSE association. Your family arrived in France in 1981 as refugees, with only a phone number as a reference. What happens next? They will be given 5 francs and a telephone number to call. A family from the Village Vacances Families association came to pick them up and place them in Normandy, where they lived in a 22-square-meter apartment with my older brother - born shortly before in a camp in Thailand - and four other family members. What special relationship developed between your parents during their month of exile? They learned to discover each other and forge a strong bond of solidarity. Later, the fruits of their hard work would lead them to open a restaurant in Cherbourg. Tell us a few anecdotes from this period After my father discovered his trade as a welder, and my mother as a seamstress, they headed for the center of France to take a crash course in catering (in order to acquire a business), which ran 7 days a week... our family restaurant is still there, and has been for 30 years now. We've all had a job there. What role did Khmer culture play in your upbringing? Cambodian music played a big part in our daily lives, and our homes and objects were a constant reminder of our culture, and we spoke Khmer at home. My parents also took me to see La Déchirure for their first French cinema. However, pre-French history was always a taboo subject in our childhood. You were also the only Asian in your school. What would be your best and worst memories of your high school years? "My worst memories are ultimately the best, and the best the worst.'' Looking for my path, I would spend 7 years there. Boarding school was perhaps my least happy period. At the same time, you developed a passion for skateboarding. How did it come about and to what extent did it become a part of your life? There was a park near our restaurant and my brother and I decided to buy a skateboard to keep ourselves entertained. The three of us shared the board, with my older brother and my younger brother, in a spirit of complicity and constant good humor. This discipline, with its community universe that suits me perfectly, is still part of my life, 30 years on. I consider it creative and artistic, and it allows me to constantly discover the urban environment. You also claim to be a film buff. Which ones would you say are your references to this day? Definitely Dany Boyle's Trainspotting, not only for the story, but also for its diverse musical score. Charlie Chaplin's The Kid Kim KI-DUK's cinema as a whole too Spring Summer Autumn and Winter and Spring again An artist at heart, your musical tastes range from traditional Khmer music to English pop and Serge Gainsbourg. However, Icelandic music has brought you another passion: what is it? The piano. At the time of these questions, you're still in Normandy. The person you're dating finds a poster about Cambodia and tells you about it. What happens next? I go to a screening organized by the Pour un Sourire d'Enfant association, where I discover the story of the child ragpickers, who live in the garbage and whose daily life is intolerable to my eyes. Following this event, tell us what happened in the parking lot I find myself next to founders Christian and Marie-France des Pallières and their little Cambodian daughters. "The conversation begins and we discover, to our mutual surprise, that we have a lot in common." Still disturbed by their documentary, but delighted to get to know them, and them to discover that a Cambodian family is in Normandy, I promise myself in my heart to contribute to their cause one day. When you moved to Paris. How did you feel in the early years? I arrived in 2007, after being recruited for a web designer internship (the interview went off without a hitch), and initially lived an hour and a half by public transport from my new workplace. I felt in between two worlds, the off-center one where I lived, and the one - comparable to Guy de Maupassant's Bel Ami - where my internship was located. This internship was to be the start of a great adventure. What was it? My career will be linked to this startup. We'll be working together for four years; by the time I leave, I'll have become artistic director, and the initial team of four (including myself) will have grown to around fifty people. Their change of address (from a 15-square-meter room in a Saint-Germain hotel to a 200-square-meter space near the Louvre) was one of the things that triggered my interest in photography. Then comes a milestone year - 2010 - which corresponds to what we might call "a year of identity crisis". What decision will you make? I felt that the time had come for me to go to Khmer Srok. I would go for several weeks, hoping to religiously follow an itinerary prepared in advance by myself. Incredible things would happen, such as sitting down by chance on the bus to Battambang next to an aunt's neighbor whom I was about to discover! Three years later, you began photography in earnest. What were your first big contracts? An exhibition at the BNF on American photography in the '70s really got me going. In 2011, when my Instagram account was up and running, I was contacted for my first assignment by the Paris Tourist Office to shoot the covers of several well-known guidebooks. Then the Balenciaga fashion show Michelin Mercedes Let's go back to your encounter with PSE years ago. What has changed since then? At the time, Instagram was a community of designers, and this enabled me, among other things, to stage my first exhibition, the proceeds of which would go to this association I had discovered more than 10 years earlier. What have been your best missions with them? My best assignment is definitely the one I'm working on right now! After spending several weeks on the premises of PSE - which has since become a city within a city, with its boarding school and classes ranging from nursery to young adulthood - I was given the task of photographing this microcosm on a daily basis. The result is a three-day exhibition opening in Paris on October 19, 2023. The exhibition will then continue in Saint-Germain-des-Prés at Galerie Lee, the only Cambodian gallery in Paris, run by Mr. Lysath Loeuk, the owner, for a further three weeks. All profits will go to PSE. On a personal note, what would you like to see changed in Khmer Srok? The chaotic, anarchic traffic. And, of course, to see the poverty of our fellow human beings reduced. On the professional side, what photo projects would you like to carry out in the next 3 years? I don't know yet, as my shyness often holds me back in my canvassing. Any final words of advice about your profession? "The key to success is humility above all. "Maintain this profession as a passion". Interview by Chantha R - Françoise framboise