Review: The Killing Fields (DVD) “Only the mute survive” - Dith Pran Cast:     Sam Waterston as Sydney Schanberg) Haing S. Ngor as Dith Pran) John Malkovich as Alan Rockoff) Julian Sands as Jon Swain) Directed by:     Roland Joffé    Story: Cambodia, 1973: The United States and the Cambodian military government under Lon Nol have imported the Vietnam War into the former neutral country. The fights against the Vietcong in Cambodia began three years ago, and, according to the concerns of the domino theory, the US- bombings are inexorable and continuous. The country is devastated and the civilian population is mostly affected. The communist Khmer Rouge is becoming more and more powerful: Supported by the population, against the US- and Vietnamese heteronomy, the Khmer Rouge installs a nationalist regime. At this point of time, the well-respected New York Times- journalist Sydney Schanberg (Sam Waterston) travels to Indochina to report about the Cambodian revolution. His translator and assistant is the Cambodian journalist Dith Pran (Haing S. Ngor), who becomes a loyal friend. Together, they write reports to inform the Western World about the happenings in the country. In 1975, the Khmer Rouge occupies the capital city Phnom Penh. The era of a terror regime and holocaust under Pol Pot starts one year later. First, the people in Cambodia are looking forward to a future without war; they have not known peace for more than seven years. But the impression is deceptive. The Khmer Rouge wants to strengthen the farmers and to abolish any urban lifestyle. Any kind of individuality is removed; a new tyranny of unity and supervision is installed. Cambodia turns into a dictatorship of fear and constraint work, where money and education are abolished, books are burned and banks, schools and hospitals are closed. As the Khmer Rouge accesses power, the whole population of the city is deported to the rice fields, intellectuals are murdered in The Killing Fields outside of Phnom Penh, foreigners leave the country, as the American and European journalists do. Schanberg, Pran, photographer Rockoff (John Malkovich) and the British journalist Sands (Jon Swain) find shelter in the French Embassy. They plan to travel abroad. But Dith Pran, as Cambodian citizen, does not have an exit permit. Either he would have to flee to Thailand or, as highly educated journalist, he will get murdered by the Khmer Rouge. Being already on the point of fleeing, Schanberg convinces Pran to stay. But the attempt of providing a forged passport for Pran fails. So he misses his only chance to flee and he has to leave the embassy lonely, while his companions have to say goodbye. Back in the USA, Schanberg is tortured by his bad consciousness, not knowing if he is responsible for Pran’s death. The journalist tries everything to find his Asian friend, but Pran remains untraceable in the rice fields of Cambodia. Pran himself survives in a labour camp  by hiding his past and his abilities; suppressed and mute, separated from family and friends, always fearing somebody could recognize him or find out that he speaks several languages. Pran’s tale of woe starts; it should last for four years until the end of the Khmer Rouge-regime in 1979. He is able to escape from the camp and later works as servant to a Khmer Rouge-functionary. When he is about to get killed by the Khmer, Pran flees with some of his companions in misfortune through the woods. As the only survivor of the small group he arrives in safe Thailand after weeks. Schanberg, immediately travels to Asia to see his friend and colleague and takes him to the United States, where both are now working for the New York Times. During the four-years-lasting reign of terror by the Khmer Rouge about two million people died through genocide, in concentration camps or due to the hard work on the rice fields. Cambodia was lead into an economic crisis by falsified harvest reports, lack of nourishment and maladministration. In 1979, the Khmer Rouge is overthrown, but still exists today. It has never been called to account. A Cambodian tribunal is planned, but has not been installed yet. Analysis: The Killing Fields is based on a true story, written by Sydney Schanberg.  The movie is extraordinary because the spectator feels to be involved authentically, however it renounces to be pathetic or overdramatic. Mostly it does not even use any music to support the story. Sam Waterston, as Sydney Schanberg, is a good choice for this part because although playing the main character he stays in the background as much as possible. He is the one who gives us insight from the Western point of view - as a reporter, guest in the country and friend to a personal affected man. But the most outrageous figure in this movie is Haing S. Ngor, playing Dith Pran. Ngor has much in common with Pran, since he himself went through the Cambodian terror regime. Ngor as a medical doctor and intellectual also had to hide his skills from the Khmer Rouge. He had to go into a labour camp where his wife, who was arrested too, died. Ngor could not help her; otherwise he would have been exposed and killed. In 1979, after the Khmer Rouge-regime collapsed, Ngor first went to Thailand, later to the United States. He received the Golden Globe and the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor in 1984. In my view he should have been awarded Best Actor, actually Ngor plays the leading role of the movie. He portrays his character, which he has so much in common with, perfectly - almost painfully well. He embodies strength and loyalty, as well as modesty and amiability. Ngor is the reason why this anti-war movie is credible and a touching testimony of history. In 1996, members of a street gang shot Ngor in Los Angeles. There was some speculation that this gang was connected to Khmer Rouge sympathizers, but it has never been evidenced. To sum it up, The Killing Fields is a very recommendable movie, although the watchers should have some information about Cambodian history and the Khmer Rouge before watching. Otherwise they’ll have some problems to understand the contexts. The pictures and cuts are great (both Oscars!) and support the pleasantly tranquil style of the movie. The Killing Fields is a critical movie and deals with an authentic story which is based on documented memories of involved people. Watch it! Awards: Academy Awards 1984: Best Supporting Actor (Haing S. Ngor) Best Camera (Chris Menges) Best Cut (Jim Clark) Further Nominations: Best Movie Best Actor (Sam Waterston) Best Direction (Roland Joffé) Best Script (Bruce Robinson) Golden Globes: Best Supporting Actor (Haing S. Ngor) Further Nominations: Best Movie Best Actor (Sam Waterston) Best Direction (Roland Joffé) Best Script (Bruce Robinson) Best music (Mike Oldfield) Review by Caecilia Smekal

 

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