Films of the 2000s (Folklore, Mythology, Melodramas, Comedies and Horrors)
Films Listed: 15/70
RITHISEN NEANG KONGREY (2000)
Directors:
Genre: Boran, Legendary
Cast: Chandarathy, Hum Chora, Chorn Chan Leakenna, Suos
Sotheara
Production: Morodok
A remake of the classic 1967 film starring Kong Som Eun
and Virak Dara, this 2001 version is relatively unknown. The popular Asian tale of 12 sisters
follows the romance between a giant (Kong Rey) and a mortal man. A historical mountain range in Kompong Cham Province, Cambodia has been named after Neang Kong Rey.
THE SNAKE KING'S CHILD (2001)
Directors: Fai Som Ang
Genre: Boran, Legendary
Cast: Tep Rindaro, Ampor Tevi, Wanai Kraibutr,
Pich Chan Boremey
Production: SSB
The sequel to the classic 1970 film The Snake King's Wife, featured in our collection of films of Pre-1975 films. This joint Khmer-Thai production was one of the few Cambodian films to be released internationally in the 2000s. However, it generated little critical acclaim. Nonetheless, it prompted director Fai Som Ang to create a third installment.
TECHO DOMDEN (2001)
Directors:
Genre: Boran, Legendary, Drama
Cast: Hum Sotanith, Tep Veasna, Svaeng Socheata, Rith Tida
Production: Morodok
The 2001 film was a popular legendary film during its time. Its comedic and dramatic appeal made it a hit film.
TUM TEAV (2003)
Directors: Fai Som Ang
Genre: Boran, Romance, Melodrama
Cast: Sok Sophea, Danh Monika
Production: SSB
Tum Teav is a tragic 18th century love story, set in Kompong Cham, and based on a poem written by Venerable Som. It is considered the "Cambodian Romeo and Juliet" and has been a compulsory part of the Cambodian secondary national curriculum since the 1950s. The drama has been adapted numerous times into Cambodian novels, Kaivika musicals, karaokes and movies.
TON CHEY (2003)
Directors:
Genre: Folklore
Cast: Danh Monika
Production:
The film is based on the historical Cambodian comedy folktale. Chey was destined to become a King, but prior to his birth his mother sought guidance from a fortune teller. The scheming fortune teller convinces his mother that Chey would become no more than a servant, sabotaging Chey's chances of ever reigning. Nonetheless, the clever young servant comes to prove his wittiness, and through an array of entertaining stunts, humiliates the King. The story is driven by witty humor and tear-jerking romance and drama.
MEYEA SATREY (2003)
Directors:
Genre: Folk
Cast: Suos Sotheara, Tep Rindaro, Hum Sotanith
Production: Khemara
PDEY LA'OR/GOOD HUSBAND (2003)
Directors:
Genre: Comedy
Cast: Khieu Sompeth, Sim Solika
Production: Angkorwat
A sexist husband wakes up to an unpleasant surprise, realizing that he and his wife have switched genders. Over the course of
the film, the husband and his formerly sexist peers learn about the hardships of a wife, bringing tears and laughter to the film's repetoire.
CONTINUE WATCHING HERE:
TUK ROM PKA ROM (2004)
Directors: Som Dorin
Genre: Boran, Folklore, Legendary
Cast: Hum Chora, Rith Tida, Keo Pisey, Svaeng Socheata
Production: RTT, KPV
Based on a historical Cambodian novel written around 1910, the film is a remake of a 1960s lost film.
CONTINUE WATCHING HERE:
AH KVAK AH KVEN (2004)
Directors: Ly Ny
Genre: Boran, Folklore
Cast: Tep Rindaro
Production:
Based on a Cambodian comedy folktale.
MORANAK MEADA (2004)
Directors: Fai Som Ang
Genre: Boran, Folklore
Cast: Heng Bunleap, Danh Monika
Production: SSB, Prasad Pich Films
Similar to Cinderella, the popular Cambodian folktale depicts the sorrowful life of Moranak who is enslaved by her step mother and two step sisters. Contrary to Cinderella, Moranak's mother is murdered by her vicious and coniving step mother and her estranged father. Ultimately Moranak finds happiness in her new found destiny with the Prince. The film sacked 2 awards in 2005, Best Motion Picture and Best Actress (Danh Monika).
CONTINUE WATCHING HERE:
PREAH TOUNG NEANG NEAK (2004)
Directors: Monica Am
Genre: Boran
Cast: Yuthara Channy, Keo Pisey, Meas Somavatey
Production: MK
A popular folklore, Prince Toung and the Naga Princess depicts the mythological genesis of the Khmer people after the marriage of an Indian prince and a native Naga woman.
BANANA TREE GHOST (2005)
Directors:
Genre: Folk/Horror
Cast:
Production: CP
Based on the historical Cambodian folktale of a banana tree ghost.
REAMKE (2005)
Directors: Hong Vanara
Genre: Boran
Cast: Sok Sophea, Keo Pisey
Production: Morodok
Based on the Indian epic "Ramayana," Reamke is a remake
of the 1965 Cambodian film Preah Ream Jole Kout Bunchout Neang Seda.
MJASS BUMNOL KAM (2006)
Directors: Chhun Lina Writers: Mean Lina
Genre: Boran, Legendary
Cast: Sok Sophea,
Production: Morodok
A woman is to bare the burden of paying off her mother's debts by becoming a servant to a royal family. After her mother's death and years of humiliation, the woman meets a charming prince while bathing in a waterfall lake. The royal family and a wicked witch plot to kill the woman so that their beloved obnoxious daughter could marry the prince instead. Fortunately, the damsel is saved from her miserable conditions.
THE SNAKE KING'S GRANDCHILD (2007)
Directors: Fai Som Ang
Genre: Boran
Cast: Meng Bunlo, Chorn Chan Leakenna, Pen Chomrong
Production: SSB
The third episode of the classic Cambodian tale Pos Keng Kong.
The original film released in 1970, which is featured on our website's section on films of the 1960s and 1970s, starred Chea Yuthon and Dy Saveth and was twice as popular in countries like Thailand than its native country. The second 2001 sequel, also spearheaded by Fai Som Ang, which starred Tep Rindaro and Ampor Tevi, was less critically acclaimed. This third installment drew criticism towards lead actress Chan Leakenna for her provocative performance with Meng Bunlo. Although the film displays poor acting, sound editing and flawed English subtitles, it is partially definitive of Cambodian films of the 2000s.