Funan
Directed by Denis Do
Written by Denis Do, Magali Pouzol, Elise Trinh
Produced by Sébastien Onomo, David Grumbach, Annemie Degryse, Louise Génis Cosserat, Justin Stewart
Starring Bérénice Bejo, Louis Garrel
Music by Thibault Kientz Agyeman
Production companies Les Films d’ici, Sébastien Onomo, Bac Films
Distributed by Bac Films (France), Lumière (Belgium)
Running time 84 minutes
Funan is a 2018 French language animated gem rescued from obscurity by Netflix. The feature deals with the privations of a Cambodian family during the years of the Khmer Rouge (1975-79), the Communist Party of Kampuchea. During that time, at least 1.5 million people died, either through party “cleansings of the ranks” or from starvation after years of horrifically mismanaged economy. The regime ended only when Vietnam attacked, overthrowing Kampuchea and Pol Pot and eventually restoring Cambodia to a monarchy. The title refers to an ancient state that arose some 2,000 years ago covered much of southeast Asia for 500 years.
The film is the story of a family, Khuon, his wife Chou (based on director and writer Denis Do’s own mother), their three year old son Savonh, and Chou’s mother, Meng. Relocated by the regime to a rice work camp, the son and grandmother become separated. The story is of efforts to reunite the family while avoiding execution or starvation by their vicious camp guards. In the end, as the regime begins to crumble, they try to escape to Thailand, a story strongly reminiscent of many of the survivors of Hitler’s work camps in 1945.
The story is a grim one, reflecting one of the darkest periods in history, but beautifully told and with characters you come to respect and care about.
It’s to Netflix’ credit that they rescued this one. It only grossed $15,000 despite strong reviews and awards, and it’s a story of a conflict largely forgotten by Americans that needs to be told.
Now on Netflix.