I wasn't convinced by the female lead as she came off as totally unlikeable and only motivated by self interest. I doubt that was the director's intention but I'm surprised by the reviews on this one claiming it to be a great love story, which it isn't. I'm curious to hear other people's opinions. The film was beautifully shot though.
shareI didn't consider it a great love story but it was very good.
shareIt certainly was a love story. An excellent one at that. But if this wasn't a love story to you, then I very much wonder what your experiences of life have been? Many bar girls are exactly as the female lead acted, despite your finding that her performance was unconvincing to you.
I am an occidental someone who fell in love with an oriental (albeit one who is educated to degree level and a normal day time professional); still, given that I have spent around two years of my life in the far east, I can say that this movie's screenplay was certainly very realistic. Luckily we didn't have any serious illness to contend with before we could meet again in the west.
My heart goes out to Benjamin & his wife: well done you too, wish you good luck for the future!!
You wonder about my life experience lol. Just simply I didn't believe the main actress as being in love. Maybe it was the fault of the actress or simply that bar girls in this way of life don't feel love but more the survival instinct is stronger. No need to get personal. For you it is a great love story and I am happy you really enjoyed it. My wife disliked the female lead immensely as being totally self centered. Curious to see if other people thought the same.
sharebeen with bar girls during my youth and they are very convincing in trying to extract cash off you. This is what I felt when I was watching her act. The guy made me feel that it was his obligation to "save" this girl like a missionary wants to save the lost souls of the savages.
I liked the story and the cinematography because it reminded me of the great vacations in the Far East during my youth. Sure beats going to Disney land with the kids now.
To be completely honest guys this was definitely not a 'romantic' love story by any means. I lived in cambodia for a few years with my family when i was younger, have been back twice and have a cambodian girlfriend now and for the majority of this movie sreykeo must have thought shed hit the jackpot having this naive foreigner send her money every month!I'm sure by the end she did love him on some level but many ethnic groups from third world countries ultimately look at stability and security for them and their family and that comes far before love. Of course this isn't everyone but definitely majority for sure.I think thats what annoyed me about this movie the most as being advertised as such a mind blowing love story lol
shareStability and security is part of love in Khmer culture. As is tight-knit family and friends. This is especially true for women who have much less opportunities for education/work in Cambodia and often rely on prostitution to support the family. Srey Keo did care for and love Ben in the movie but had a hard time, not knowing if he would remain there for her and her family. For a prostitute with HIV in Cambodia, that is a very valid concern. I think for most of the movie, she is waiting for his proposal, and by Ben not affirming it, she had doubts about the long-term.
I live in Phnom Penh and have a Khmer GF (my name is also Ben, go figure), and I've learned all of this first hand. This movie is very realistic, and while not the most romantic, I'd call this a Khmer love story to say the least.
Yeah true I definitely agree with that. You probably put it in better words than I did. I think you're right. Thinking about it now, by Western standards it may not seem so lovey dovey but it's all relative isn't it And in that sense you're right it is quite realistic. And yeah I understand what you mean by them confirming your commitment. I have had to deal with that also, especially currently being long distance too. Good times!! Haha
share