Rice People

– A poor, rural Cambodian family slowly disintegrates during the cycle of a single rice crop in this m..

Type:
Movie
Rating:
7.30 / 10
Duration:
2 Hours and 5 Minutes
Release Year:
1994
Original Name:
Neak sre
Rice People (1994) - Also known as Neak sre

A poor, rural Cambodian family slowly disintegrates during the cycle of a single rice crop in this moving, and beautifully photographed European drama adapted from a novel by Shahnon Ahmad. Pouev, his wife Om, and his seven children, live in a small rural village in Cambodia. Their whole precarious life depends upon the success of their rice crop. Both husband and wife are worried, but for different reasons. Pouev is concerned because their acreage is shrinking. Om worries about Pouev; what would happen to her and the children if he died or was injured? Her worst fear is manifest after Pouev steps upon a poisoned thorn and dies. Om finds herself heavily burdened with the responsibilities of maintaining the crop and caring for seven youngsters. She suffers paranoia from worrying about whether the children are doing their share and the other villagers lock her up leaving eldest daughter Sokha to bring in the crop.

Producing Country:
Filming Locations:
Genre:
Release Date:

12 Oct 1994

Language:

Khmer

Director:

Rithy Panh

Writer:

Shahnon Ahmad (novel), Ève Deboise, Rithy Panh

Main Actors:

Peng Phan, Mom Soth, Chhim Naline, Va Simorn

Plot:

In Cambodian refugee camps, when children are asked where rice comes from, they answer, "from UN lorries". They have never seen a rice field. One day, these children will have to learn to live in Cambodia, i.e., they will have to learn to cultivate, to plough, to work the land. Rice people tries to share this way of life, to demonstrate the fragile equilibrium on which it lies and the freedom it represents.

Awards:

1 win & 1 nomination.

Ratings:
Internet Movie Database:
7.2/10