When Khmer dance becomes a universal song for peace: the first short film by a 13-year-old French boy from Siem Reap

At just 13 years old, Ange Labbé, a young Frenchman passionate about Khmer culture who has been living in Cambodia for several years, has just completed his first amateur short film, a touching and hopeful work entitled When Dance Becomes Peace.

Co-created with Shufen Chong, a talented 12-year-old classical Khmer dancer, this film resonates as a hymn to resilience, inner peace and the cultural richness of Cambodia.

Ange: "I already knew Shufen because we studied at the same art school. As soon as I had the idea for the film, I thought of her. There is something very powerful in the way she dances, but also a gentleness... a silent presence that already told a story, even without speaking. I knew she could embody Bosba, not just because of her technique, but because she really feels what she dances. And when I told her about the project, she accepted right away. I wasn't wrong. Together, we've created something that we like and that, I hope, others will like too."

A poetic work born from the crossroads of cultures

It all started with a challenge from his mother. When Ange's mother discovered a short film festival for children, she asked him, ‘Would you be interested in doing it?’ Without hesitation, the young man said yes, knowing nothing about the world of cinema. This adventure turned out to be a revelation.

Ange explains:

‘I had never filmed a project like this before. However, I am passionate about photography and video. So I said yes right away, without really thinking about it. I wanted to try it out by taking on a concrete challenge to improve my skills. And I wanted to tell a story that really matters to me.’

Born in France, Ange grew up with an insatiable curiosity for Khmer culture, fuelled by his current studies at the Siem Reap Regional Arts School and his immersion in the majesty of the temples of Angkor. His younger brother Elouan, 9, who also stars in this short film, is passionate about traditional Khmer dance. He studies this art every day at the same school.

Some of his videos, notably when he dances on Pub Street or for a senior monk, have gone viral. In this environment, Ange is immersed in Khmer culture on a daily basis with his family. It was here that the idea for this ambitious project was born, driven by the desire to tell a universal story through a deeply local form of expression.

Ange says:

"My brother Elouan inspired me. Seeing him dance with his friends, with such love for Khmer culture, is a powerful thing. I wanted the film to reflect that too. "

Alongside Ange, Shufen plays Bosba, a Cambodian teenager who, faced with the death of her father and daily trials at school, finds refuge and elevation in the sacred art of classical Khmer dance. Through delicate and emotionally charged choreography, When Dance Becomes Peace offers an intimate look at the soothing and transformative power of dance, witnessing a quest for inner balance and reconciliation with oneself.

This message fits perfectly with the 2025 theme of the Southeast Asian Children's Film Festival (SEAVFC): ‘The Magic of Peace’, which inspired the theme of this short film.

Ange: ‘I believe that everyone can go through difficult times, but that art can help us find our way back. Dance, as I see it, is a way of rediscovering and transmitting wisdom and peace through what it embodies.’

An authentic shoot, combining passion and local solidarity

This 19-minute film, made entirely with personal equipment and no budget, is the result of a generous collaboration between young artists and the artistic community of Siem Reap. The production brought together teachers, students, musicians and local artisans committed to preserving and promoting Khmer heritage, all inspired by Ange's initiative.

A real artistic network has been woven, notably with:

• The Regional School of Fine Arts, which provided actors, extras, dance teachers and filming locations.

• The Apsara Sangva Pich Club, responsible for costumes, dancers and wardrobe.

• The Khmer Angkor Arts and Culture Training Club, responsible for the soundtrack with traditional musicians and singers.

• The support of iconic local venues such as the SHINE School, the KANELL restaurant and the AOK café, which hosted the filmed scenes.

• Finally, the invaluable technical assistance of Moon Sok Sanika, particularly for the occasional loan of equipment.

Ange and Shufen's desire to collaborate with local experts and associations reflects their sincere respect for Khmer culture and their desire to showcase the artists and teachers who inspire them. This short film has thus become a collective work, where everyone has been able to contribute their voice, their gestures and their light.

Ange explains:

‘I didn't want the film to be just my project, but that of a whole group. I wanted to highlight those who marvel at everyday life. Everyone who participated put a little bit of their heart into it. That's what makes it come alive.’

A message of peace carried internationally

Beyond its local roots, When Dance Becomes Peace aims to reach an international audience. In addition to its selection at SEAVFC, the film will be submitted to other festivals in Asia and around the world. Ange and Shufen also plan to release it on YouTube and social media in several languages, including Khmer, English, Spanish and, of course, French, which will help spread the beauty and depth of Khmer dance while conveying their message of hope and universal peace.

Ange adds: "I would like young people in France, Spain, or anywhere else in the world to discover a piece of Cambodia through this film. I want them to feel what I felt here... the beauty of the movements, the depth of the culture, the power of the dance. And I hope that young Cambodians will also recognise themselves, that they will see that their culture is precious and deserves to be viewed with pride. This film is also a message for adults, for parents... to remind them how much art can help a child through difficult times, find peace and get back on their feet."

An impressive technical achievement for such a young director

Shot with very modest means, mainly a simple DJI Osmo Pocket 2 camera, the short film impresses with its visual quality and artistic sensitivity. From the outset, Ange chose to immerse himself fully in all stages of creation, incorporating traditional sounds recorded locally especially for this short film: percussion, instruments and songs from the Khmer classical dance repertoire, in order to reinforce the film's cultural and emotional roots.

But filming was only the first step. Next came the challenge of post-production, a world that was completely unknown to him. With no prior training and a computer unsuitable for video editing, he had to learn everything on his own: rushes, editing, colour grading, sound/image synchronisation, voice-overs... It was an intense and demanding adventure, involving hours and hours of work, but it was well worth his commitment.

Ange emphasises:

‘I've been teaching myself photography and video for several years. I already enjoyed filming and experimenting with editing. But I had never seen a project through from start to finish.’

This film was something else, he says: "I had to think everything through, structure everything, learn how to tell a story, film, edit, work on the sound and atmosphere, manage people... manage every detail. And with a computer that often crashed or took hours to load, it was a real challenge. But I stuck with it, even after all those hours of work on top of my studies. I discovered that I really loved it. That's important too."

This rigorous work, carried out from start to finish by a 13-year-old self-taught filmmaker, shows remarkable maturity and a real sense of cinema for a first short film.

When Dance Becomes Peace is much more than a short film; it is a celebration of Khmer culture, an ode to youth and a call for inner peace, promoting strong and benevolent intercultural collaboration. Ange and Shufen demonstrate that the creativity and commitment of young people can be a powerful vehicle for dialogue between peoples and generations.

Ange continues:

‘I hope it will inspire other young people to create. You don't need much. Just believe that it's possible. In any case, I have lots of other projects because I intend to keep going.’

Any final words?

Ange concludes: "When I started this short film based on the festival's theme, “The Magic of Peace”, I didn't think that the idea of peace would resonate so strongly with current events. What is happening right now affects me and my family deeply.

 And I'm even happier to have been able to talk about peace in my very first film. It gives meaning to what I've done... and to what I feel deep in my heart."