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VAFF 19

The Roots Remain

French, English, Khmer

Directed by Andrew Marchand-Boddy, Jean-Sébastien Francoeur

Nov 8: Program 8 Canadian Doc Spot - Going Home Again / Canada / 2014 / Documentary / 77 mins / English, French, Khmer with English subtitles / Colour / Canada Premiere

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Description

In an emotional tribute, Montreal graffiti artist Fonki returns to Cambodia to paint a giant mural of his relatives killed in the Khmer Rouge genocide. During his time there, he connects with a group of Cambodian youth who have also returned, hoping to breathe new life into their destroyed culture. Crafted from over 100 hours of HD footage, as well as 16mm newsreels and propaganda footage shot by the Khmer Rouge, the film follows one member of the Cambodian diaspora who discovers his roots in the heart of modern Cambodia.

Previous Screening / Awards:

Cambodia Town Film  Festival 2015 (Long Beach, CA), Southern Utah International Documentary Film Festival 2015

In attendance: Documentary Narrator/Subject, Yavana Chhem-Kieth (Fonki), in attendance

VAFF People Choice Award – Canadian Feature 2015 nominee

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Director's Bio

Andrew Marchand-Boddy is a filmmaker from Victoria, British Columbia. In 2013 he graduated from the Mel Hoppenheim School of Cinema in Montreal where he won several awards for his work, including Best Documentary, Best Director, the North American Mobility Award, and the Cinema Humanitarian Award. Andrew has directed 12 films in the last five years. His work spans five countries, four languages, and several genres. Andrew’s decision to become a filmmaker was first sparked during his travels throughout Cambodia in 2003, so directing “The Roots Remain” has become a full circle experience for him.


Jean-Sébastien Francoeur is a filmmaker and photographer from Montreal, Quebec. He is also a graduate of the Mel Hoppenheim School of Cinema, where he was awarded Best Cinematographer two years in a row. Since then he has directed and photographed several short films and television programs all over the world. “The Roots Remain” is his first feature length film, and most meaningful film to date.

Preceded By

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    Away From The Grasslands

    Khalid Ali / Nov 8: Program 8 Canadian Doc Spot - Going Home Again / USA / 2014 / Documentary / 28 mins
    An intimate, behind-the-scenes look at the ethnic Mongolian band, Hanggai, as they gather in Beijing, China to record their new album, “Back to You.”

    Precedes: The Roots Remain