Biographical Overview & Key Facts

Subject:

Rithy Panh

Role / Field:

Pioneering Cambodian documentary filmmaker focusing on the Khmer Rouge genocide's aftermath.

Born:

1964-04-18

Century / Era:

1964s Historical Era

Database Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Wikipedia CC BY-SA 4.0

Origins & Early Life

Rithy Panh (Khmer: ប៉ាន់ រិទ្ធី; born April 18, 1964) is a Cambodian documentary film director, author and screenwriter. The French-schooled director's films focus on the aftermath of the genocidal Khmer Rouge regime in Cambodia. His works are from an authoritative viewpoint, because his family was expelled from Phnom Penh in 1975 by the Khmer Rouge. One after another, his father, mother, sisters and nephews died of starvation or exhaustion, as they were held in a remote labor camp in rural Cambodia.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

Rithy was born in Phnom Penh. His father was a long time undersecretary at the Ministry of Education, a senator, a school teacher and inspector of primary schools. He is a practising Buddhist since childhood. His family and other residents were expelled from the Cambodian capital in 1975 by the Khmer Rouge. Rithy's family suffered under the regime of Democratic Kampuchea, and after he saw his parents, siblings and other relatives die of overwork or malnutrition in the Cambodian genocide, he managed to escape to Thailand in 1979, where he lived for a time in a refugee camp at Mairut.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

Eventually, he made his way to Paris, France. It was while he was attending...

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Frequently Asked Questions about Rithy Panh