Cambodian film to be on air in Thailand for first time

BANGKOK, January 11 (TNA) - "Cambodia Dreams", filmed in Cambodia by a New Zealand director, Stanley Harper, will be broadcast for the first time on Thai television next month, after its 18-year production has been completed. The 63-minute film chronicles the parallel lives of members of a family who are separated for 12 years before they are reconciled, half of whom struggle in a refugee camp in Thailand, while the other half face a hard life in their village in Cambodia Speaking at a ceremony to pre-launch the Cambodian film, held at Bangkok's Art and Culture Center on Thursday, the film maker, Harper, told Thai News Agency (TNA) that he hoped the airing of the film in Thailand would create the same impact as it did in Cambodia in 2008, when youths became aware of what their parents lived through at the time of separation. Harper said that those who have the wrong perception towards Cambodian people of being uncivilised and living with wars and fears may start to realise that they are all human beings who share the same sentiments, emotions and needs, and that Thais should think of them as brothers and sisters who live just across the border. Harper expressed his hope that the proper airing of the film will also make the international community realise the role of Thailand as todays' model of refugee management, as the Thai Kingdom has assisted and shouldered many refugees' problems until they are repatriated to their homelands when a peaceful solution is found. To reflect ASEAN’s vision towards a peaceful community through promoting equality and human rights, "Cambodia Dreams" will be televised in Thailand at 11pm on February 17. (TNA)