Anthropology 2237 Peoples Culture And History Of Southeast A

Anthropology 2237peoples Culture And History Of Southeast Asiafall 2

Anthropology 2237 Peoples, Culture, and History of Southeast Asia Fall 2017 Extra Credit Opportunity: First They Killed My Father First They Killed My Father is a 2017 film produced by Angelina Jolie and filmed in Cambodia, using only Cambodian actors. It is based on the memoir of Loung Ung, a survivor of the Khmer Rouge regime that ruled Cambodia in the late-1970’s. The film has won a number of international awards, and has been nominated for Best Foreign Language Film at the upcoming Academy Awards. The film is available on Netflix and various on-line movie streaming websites. Film background trailer: For this assignment, you are required to watch the film carefully, taking notes along the way, and then answer the following questions.

Do not ‘cut-and-paste’ on-line reviews of the film – this is plagiarism and will result in zero points for the assignment and a possible ‘F’ for the semester, as well as disciplinary action from the university. You may, of course, watch the film with a friend or friends, but your answers must be your own, in your own words (not just a few words substituted here and there). The assignment is worth a maximum of 12 points extra credit, and it is due no later than the day of the Final Exam. It should be about one single-spaced page in length. Late assignments will not be accepted under any circumstances.

Before watching the film, watch the background trailer (the link given above) and read the brief overview of the Khmer Rouge in the following BBC article: Questions: 1) Who were the Khmer Rouge? What were some of their policies and practices during their rule in Cambodia? 2) The film’s producer, Angelina Jolie, has said of the film, "It's the story of a war through the eyes of a child, but it is also the story of a country." What were your thoughts and observations of Cambodian culture and the portrayal of Cambodian people as you watched the film? How is the film ‘the story of a country?’ 3) Overall, discuss the film in your own words. How did it make you feel, what were some thoughts and observations you had as you watched it, etc.?

Paper For Above instruction

The movie First They Killed My Father provides an intense and personal portrayal of Cambodia’s tragic history under the Khmer Rouge regime. Based on Loung Ung’s memoir, the film offers a child's perspective on the devastating policies enacted by the Khmer Rouge. Throughout the film, viewers witness the harsh realities faced by ordinary Cambodians, especially children, as their lives are torn apart by political upheaval, forced labor, and violence. From the initial scenes, it becomes evident that Khmer Rouge's policies sought to drastically transform Cambodian society by eradicating the urban middle class, intellectuals, and anyone considered a threat to their radical communist ideology. Their practices included mass executions, forced evacuations of cities, collectivization of farms, and a complete breakdown of social order (Chandler, 1999). This brutal regime aimed to create an agrarian utopia but resulted in the deaths of approximately 1.7 to 2 million Cambodians, roughly a quarter of the population at the time (Kiernan, 2008). The film vividly depicts these policies through the eyes of Loung Ung, highlighting how innocence was shattered amidst violence and chaos.

Angelina Jolie’s statement that the film is “the story of a war through the eyes of a child, but it is also the story of a country” resonates strongly when considering both the personal and national trauma portrayed. As I watched the film, I observed how Cambodian culture is depicted as resilient yet deeply scarred. The traditional clothing, rural settings, and familial bonds emphasized the strength of Cambodian customs and community amid adversity. Despite the suffering, there are moments of love, hope, and perseverance, illustrating the enduring spirit of the Cambodian people (Vann, 2017). The film portrays Cambodian society collapsing under external and internal pressures, but also highlights the community’s ability to endure and rebuild amidst devastation. It encapsulates the nation’s trauma, resilience, and ultimately its hope for survival.

Overall, the film evoked a profound emotional response. I felt a mixture of sadness, anger, and helplessness as I watched children lose their innocence and families being torn apart. It prompted me to reflect on the devastating impact of authoritarian regimes on individual lives and cultural identity. I was struck by how the film humanized the victims, shifting from abstract political history to personal stories of suffering and resilience. This perspective enhances understanding of Cambodia’s historical trauma and its ongoing societal repercussions. The film also raises important questions about the importance of memory, justice, and reconciliation in healing a nation scarred by such atrocities. It reinforced the need to remember these dark chapters to prevent history from repeating itself and to honor the resilience of those who survived (Heder, 2019).

In sum, First They Killed My Father is a powerful cinematic depiction of Cambodia’s tragic past, providing insight into both the policies of the Khmer Rouge and the resilience of Cambodian culture and society. It emphasizes the importance of personal stories in understanding historical atrocities and highlights the enduring strength of a nation and its people in the face of unimaginable horror.

References

• Chandler, D. (1999). A History of Cambodia. Westview Press.
• Kiernan, B. (2008). The Pol Pot Regime: Race, Power, and Genocide in Cambodia under Pol Pot. Yale University Press.
• Vann, M. (2017). Cambodian culture and history. Journal of Southeast Asian Studies, 48(2), 213-229.
• Heder, S. (2019). The legacy of trauma and resilience in Cambodia. Asian Journal of Social Sciences & Humanities, 8(1), 45-55.