Thai Movie Still Finding Way Back to Cambodia

There is strong criticism to a new Thai film “Ghost Game” from Cambodian public and scholars in newspaper recently. Cambodian Ministry of Culture may consider banning the movie from Cambodia when they see the film.

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The movie, released in Thailand Thursday, tells the fictional story of a reality TV show where the contestants spend time in a deserted prison and must confront its ghosts and the crimes that occurred there in order to win the game. Some say the name of the fictional prison, s-22, bears too close of a resemblance to the name of the Khmer Rouge's notorious s-21 prison, also known as Tuol Sleng, where some 16,000 Cambodians were tortured and taken away for execution. (Read more...)

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After the anti-Thai riot in January 2003, which costs Cambodian Government more than $40m in damage of Thai business, Thai movie has never been shown anymore. Thai movie dominated Cambodian televisions more than 10 years till the riot day. All televisions have so far shifted Thai movie programs to Chinese, Singapore and pirated Hollywood’s. The incident so far seems to make fortunes to Cambodian film industry. The popularity of Cambodian films jumps, tens of Cambodian movies have been produced, and a dozen of cinemas open. Recently Cambodia celebrated its first film award after the fall of Khmer Rouge.

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The close down of Thai movie on TV is a big loss to Thai film industry. But I think that the loss is more than just profit. If nothing controversial happens, the “Gosh Game” is a really good strategy for Thai film to come back to Cambodian market. But unfortunately, the reaction here seems to close the door. But there is still possibility of getting approval from the Ministry of Culture as a Cambodian proverb goes “money can wake up ghost to repair your flat tyre.”