Deep Dive: The Missing Picture (2013)
Film Lens
The Missing Picture is a documentary directed by Rithy Panh that focuses on the Khmer Rouge regime in Cambodia from 1975 to 1979. The film uses a combination of news footage, archival material, and clay figurines created by sculptor Sarith Mang to depict the impact of the genocide on Cambodian society. Panh, who experienced the regime as a child, seeks to reconnect with his lost childhood and address the cultural erasure caused by the Khmer Rouge's radical policies.
Through its unique storytelling approach, the film addresses the loss of individual identities and the suppression of cultural heritage during the Khmer Rouge era. Panh's use of clay figurines serves as a means to fill the gaps in his memories, presenting a personal narrative that contrasts with the regime's distorted history. The film aims to reconstruct a historical period marked by the deliberate destruction of photographic evidence, emphasizing cinema's role in preserving collective memory.
Why Watch
- •See Rithy Panh's personal quest for lost childhood.
- •Find out how clay figurines depict genocide's impact.
- •Meet the Khmer Rouge era through unique storytelling.
Did You Know
•The film won the top prize in the Un Certain Regard section at the 2013 Cannes Film Festival.
•It received the Grand Jury Prize at the 2013 Cinemanila International Film Festival.
•The film has a 99% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 88 reviews.
•Rithy Panh lost numerous family members to the Khmer Rouge regime.
Perfect For
Cambodian historyDocumentary filmmakingGenocide studies