UPDATE: ITVS 20th-Anniversary Indies Showcase will screen New Year Baby August 6-8!
We are excited to announce that the Independent Television Services (ITVS) will feature New Year Baby for free from Saturday, August 6 to Monday, August 8 as part of an online film festival to celebrate its 20th anniversary! New Year Baby exemplifies ITVS' mission to bring diverse voices and untold stories to public media. The festival will run from July to August and will screen 20 award-winning documentaries funded by ITVS over the past 20 years. We thank ITVS for its support of independent filmmakers, and we hope the festival will inspire more stories of healing.
From the ITVS Community Classroom on Facebook: "Beautifully told story about a young woman who goes back to Cambodia with her family to unravel the mysteries of their troubled history with the Khmer Rouge. Free for a limited time on the PBS online Video Player. Great complement to any class dealing with ethnic studies, conflict and resolution, human rights, refugee issues or Southeast Asian history."
New Year Baby aired on Independent Lens on PBS on May 27, 2008. Our film was also featured on Global Voices this past weekend. Mark your calendars and check out www.itvs.org/indies-showcase to catch the film!
May 2011 New Website Launch
Socheata recently spun off her own blog, accessible at www.socheatapoeuv.com. She'll be sharing the latest news on New Year Baby and Khmer Legacies, as well as details about her work as an activist and speaker. Check it out!
April 2011
Work on Purpose
I'm so happy to announce the release of Echoing Green's latest book Work on Purpose, a slim volume which I'm so proud to be profiled in. The book is intended to inspire a new generation of high school and college age students to pursue values-based careers. I am honored to be featured along with Cheryl Dorsey of Echoing Green, Marnie Oakes of Hallmark Community Solutions, Mark Hanis of the Save Darfur Coalition, and Andrew Youn of the One Acre Fund. A few weeks ago was the book launch party where Mark and I spoke. I've said this many times because it's so true -- Echoing Green Fellows are the most courageous group of people that I know. Thank you God they're around to encourage me to dream bigger and reach higher.
Columbus Academy
A few weeks ago, I spoke at Columbus Academy in Columbus, OH. I loved speaking there. The students were extraordinary, inquisitive and compassionate. I talked to them about how learning about genocide gives us an opportunity to examine our own conscience. My favorite student is named Maya Little, a Columbus senior who spent last summer in Cambodia observing the Khmer Rouge tribunals and learning about the media there. I feel more hopeful about America's future!
Letters from PVCs
My husband Charles was a Peace Corps Volunteer in Zambia so when we were in Cambodia this past August and met some PCVs at an Embassy function he enthusiastically donated copies of New Year Baby to their office. We didn't know where they would end up, but we hoped that we could seed the countryside with this story. I just recently began getting word from from a few PCVs who have show the film in their classrooms.
"This topic is extremely difficult to approach, but because of the movie, my students were able to learn about their country's history. So thank you for making the bridge that I have been seeking." -- Kealan Waldron, PCV
"I sat at the back of the English Lab classroom, attempting unobtrusiveness as these young Khmer teacher trainees viewed the film. From their body language and comments to each other, I noted that they vacillated between laughter and tears, surprise and disbelief!" -- Darlene Grant, PCV
The PCVs also shared responses from the students in their elementary English. Many students expressed real shock about the depiction of killing in the film. Though they may have some references to the Khmer Rouge times from their parents, they have never been presented with a coherent history. Many were deeply touched by the film.
I'm so proud New Year Baby is still getting out there!
November 2010
Mu Sochua
I recently had the opportunity to meet one of my personal heroes - Mu Sochua. Sochua came to Yale to show a documentary film about sex trafficking in Cambodia, Red Light Children. She is featured in the documentary as one of two protagonists that is trying to end the inhumane industry in the country.
Her political outspokenness has gotten her in trouble from the Hun Sen government. From musochua.org, "Mu Sochua is currently battling governmental abuse of power in her own case, where she faces a possible jail term if the Cambodian Supreme Court upholds her criminal defamation conviction for criticizing the Prime Minister. Her case has been denounced internationally as a politically-motivated prosecution that violated principles of due process and freedom of expression." From what I have read, international scrutiny has persuaded the government to take a lighter hand in dealing with her. We hope that this means she is no longer under threat of arrest.
Afterwards, Sochua and other friends in the Yale community enjoyed dinner in my home where we talked about Cambodia, women's rights and her travels. I gave her a copy of New Year Baby, of course. She had said she wanted to see it, but did not feel ready until recently. Safe travels, Lok Mieng.
July 2010 News
Duch's Verdict
Yesterday, I gathered at the site of the Khmer Rouge Tribunal (the ECCC) to listen to the judgment of Duch, the former commander of S-21, the regime's most infamous prison and torture center. Hundreds of Cambodians, from near and far, and journalists gathered to witness this historic moment.
As the judge read the summary of Duch's guilty verdict, I was moved to hear the narrative of his crimes. Although I had read of and heard an account of the crimes of S-21 many times in books and films, hearing the legal summary helped to legitimize and validate the suffering of victims like those in my family. I was glad this was now entering the official historical and legal record.
A generation since the Khmer Rouge years, some survivors still have a hard time understanding what happened to them. They wonder if it was as bad as they remember it. Some start to downplay the impact of what happened. After all, everyone them kno went through similar trauma. Maybe their story isn't so remarkable.
But to hear the judge utter these terms - "extermination," "torture," "murder," and "crimes against humanity" - it did help to acknowledge that Khmer Rouge survivors are victims of humanity's greatest crimes.
Like most Cambodians, I was upset, however, by two things - the reparations and verdict.
As far as I can tell, the reparations to victims amounts to a compilation of Duch's apologies which were negated by his last-ditch request for acquittal.
Further, the remaining sentence for Duch of 19 years means he could be freed in his lifetime.
Cambodians have no faith in the justice system. I cling to some shred of hope that the ECCC prosecutors have strategically lessened Duch's sentence in order to gain his cooperation for the upcoming prosecution of higher-ranking KR leaders. The victims, civil parties, all Cambodians were so despondent yesterday. I hope that the ECCC eventually redeems itself.
May 2010 3rd Annual Taste of Southeast Asia
Our annual fundraising event in New York City to mark Cambodian New Year was a big success! We raised $7500 thanks to our guests and sponsors. Thank you to all of our sponsors including World Foods, Chef King Phojanakong of Umi Nom & Kuma Inn, Chef Chris Johnson of Bao Noodles & Wa Sake, Bennett Media Studios, Fresh Ginger Ginger AleTang's Natural Dumplings, Singha Beer, Monsoon Valley Wines, Golden Star Sparking Tea, Beer Lao, and WorldtoTable.com Check out this video of the event!
Thank you to Junenoire Mitchell for these wonderful photos of the event.
Thank you to all of our volunteers!
Nicole Aiossa Patricia Alejandro Rebecca Bowes Pisea Chea James Christie Courtney Fukuda Michelle Hom Bin Bin Jiang
Gabriel Grant Andrea Kirk Robert Li Colin Lim Daniel Littlewood Junenoire Mitchell Eric Morse
Etan Ofrane Charis Shafer Nick Shelton Kathy Song Heidi Steinberg Mabel Tso Nicole Velasco Linn Yen
More Than A Number
We are so proud to share Khmer Legacies testimonies at the More Than a Number Exhibit running now at the American Textile History Museum in Lowell, MA. You can view the film below. More Than a Number Exhibit April 17 - July 25 2010 Wed. - Sun. 10 am - 5 pm $8 Adults; $6 Seniors, Students, Children; free for children under 6 American Textile History Museum 491 Dutton St. Lowell, MA www.athm.org
March 2010
Tanzania - Genocide Prevention Forum
I just returned from Tanzania where I spoke at the Second Regional Forum on Genocide Prevention, sponsored by the governments of Switzerland, Argentina and Tanzania. The private conference was full of dignitaries including Dr. Francis Deng, Special Advisor to the UN Secretary General on the Prevention of Genocide and Mass Atrocities, the former President of Tanzania Benjamin Mkapa, and Dr. Edward Luck, Special Advisor to the UN Secretary General on the Responsibility to Protect.
It was a huge honor to be invited to speak to these policy makers about Cambodia and genocide prevention. I've never been in a room in which every time someone opens their mouth, they must begin with "Excellencies, Ambassadors, Ladies and Gentlemen."
(From left to right: me, Eduardo Acevedo Diaz; Director General for Human Rights and Interim, Argentina; Rodolfo Matarollo; Advisor of the Ministry of Justice and Human Rights, Argentina; Edward Luck, Special Advisor to the UN Secretary General on the Responsibility to Protect)
I came to respect the mature dialogue amng many African countries about the need to prevent genocide in their region. It was a very encouraging symbol of progress.
Thank you so much to Prof. Andrea Bartoli and Mo Bleeker, Director of Political Affairs, Switzerland for extending the honor to me.
February 2010 Rosie Radio
I'm going to be interviewed about New Year Baby and Khmer Legacies on Rosie Radio on Monday, Feb. 15. Here's information about where to tune in:
Listen to Rosie Radio Mon - Fri: 10 am ET - 12 pm ET
Khmer Language screening with the U.S. Embassy in Phnom Penh is a great success
A Note From the Cambodian Language Screenings in Phnom Penh
Hi Socheata,
We got a great full page write up about your [Cambodian language version of NEW YEAR BABY] in the Phnom Penh Post. The author was very impressed as it was the first time he had seen a movie that wasn't just focused on blood, gore and body counts as many documentaries about Cambodia are.
We had a huge response from the expat community including many who bought their Khmer partners to see the Khmai version. We have also had many people book out of hours private screenings to watch the movie including one yesterday from a French national who brings every visitor he has over to watch it! I think he has seen it 8-10 times now!!
The most noticeable difference between Khmai and Expat audiences was that after the movie, the expats would come to the bar, grab a beer and talk it over, whereas the Khmai's would head straight to a quiet corner and sit quietly for a while mulling it over.
Thanks for your help with showing the movie. It is great to have the opportunity to show something with the permission of the filmmaker. It is much easier to get great local publicity for the film. It also helps promote a legitimate film culture within the community. If you have anything else you would like publicized and shown in Phnom Penh we would be very grateful for the opportunity to do so, please let us know.
- Martin Robinson
Founder, The Flicks in Phnom Penh
November 2009
3 Generations
The organization 3 Generations also records stories of survivors of genocide and mass atrocities from all over the world. They are highlighting the work of Khmer Legacies on their website this month. We're hoping to create a collaboration with 3 Generations, an organization started by Jane Wells, the producer ofThe Devil Came on Horseback. 3 Generations will edit a short video of some of our testimonies and we'll help them transcribe some of their Cambodian videos. You can read the treatmenthere.
Witness Highlights Khmer Legacies
The human rights media organization Witness is highlighting the work of Khmer Legacies this month. They interviewed me about the role of video in human rights. You can read their treatment here. Thank you to Teague Schneiter for all of your hard work.
October 2009
Podcast with US Holocaust Museum
The US Holocaust Museum in Washington, DC just interviewed me for their podcast series, Voices on Genocide Prevention. You can listen to it here.Thank you to Bridget Conley-Zilkic for the interview!
Screening at UConn
On Oct. 06, Van and I drove to Storrs, CT to show New Year Baby at the University of Connecticut. UConn has amazing support for Asian and Asian American students in the form of the Asian American Cultural Center, run byAngela Rola. I told Angela that I am jealous of the support they provide which exceeds what we enjoyed when I attended Smith College and even what I've observed here at Yale. Later, I learned that the center and changes to the student code regarding harassment were born out of adiscrimination episode in 1987.
The screening was very well attended and an informal reception followed. I enjoyed meeting the students, a few of which had written papers about New Year Baby. I always get a kick out of hearing that! Thank you so much to Cathy Schlund-Vials who helped to initiate the event. I hope to visit UConn again!
Congratulations Bou Sonith!
I am so proud to announce that one of my board members, Sonith Peou, has been honored by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation with a Community Health Leader Award. Here's an excerpt from RWJF's press release: "his efforts to assure access to culturally competent health services for the large Cambodian-American community in Lowell, Mass. The Metta Health Center integrates primary medical care, behavioral health services and refugee health assessments with traditional medical practices such as Buddhist monk consultations and traditional healing, acupuncture and nutrition counseling. Peou’s leadership and tenacious outreach efforts over eight years have resulted in a 150 percent increase in Southeast Asian patients, with the Metta HealthCenter now serving more than 5,000 patients."
I attended the gala in Washington, DC at the Mayflower Hotel where the awards were handed out and a video about each fellow was premiered.
I am especially proud because I nominated him for the award. Congratulations Bou Sonith!
