Cambodian Son

Cambodian Son documents the life of deported poet, Kosal Khiev after receiving the most important

performance invitation of his career—to represent the Kingdom of Cambodia at the London 2012

Cultural Olympiad. Kosal would travel to London having only taken two flights prior; first, as a 1-yearold refugee child whose family fled Cambodia and, then as a 32-year-old criminal “alien” forcibly

returned to Cambodia in 2011. The film follows a volatile yet charming and talented young man who

struggles to find his footing amongst a new freedom that was granted only through his deportation.

Kosal’s London representation is a triumphant moment for many people in his life, both in America

and Cambodia. The film traces the impact and significance of this moment for Kosal, his friends,

family, mentors and a growing international fan base. Armed only with memorized verses, he must

face the challenges of being a deportee while navigating his new fame as Phnom Penh’s premiere

poet. After the performances end and the London stage becomes a faint memory, Kosal is once again

left alone to answer the central question in his life: “How do you survive when you belong nowhere?”

After the film screening there will be a performance by Kosal Khiev, a talk with the filmmaker Masahiro Sugano and the Berlin based social worker Birgit Lang. Moderated by Shelly Kupferberg.