First They Killed My Father

In the midst of one of the darkest periods in Cambodian history, 'First They Killed My Father' is a heart-wrenching and poignant account of a young girl's resilience and will to survive under the brutal regime of the Khmer Rouge. Directed by Angelina Jolie, the film is based on the 2000 memoir of the same name by Loung Ung, a survivor of the notorious S-21 prison. The movie opens with a five-year-old Loung (played by Sereyvath Mam), a cheerful and innocent girl living with her five siblings in a small home in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Their mother, Bopha (played by Phoeung Kompheak), is a loving and kind woman who works tirelessly to provide for her children. The family's happiness is short-lived, as the Khmer Rouge, a radical communist movement led by Pol Pot, quickly gains control of the country in 1975. The Khmer Rouge's promise of a self-sufficient agrarian society and a more equal society for the working class is initially attractive to many, but it soon becomes apparent that their ideology is rooted in hatred and a desire for total control. The new government, under the guise of "radical agrarian reform," begins to dismantle the country's infrastructure, schools, and hospitals. People from urban areas, like Phnom Penh, are forcibly relocated to rural areas to work in agricultural collectives. As the chaos and panic spread, the Ung family is separated, and their mother is sent away with a group of children. Panicked and frightened, Loung and her older siblings, Kim, Chou, and Kim's husband, Nary, are left behind with their aunt and uncle. Loung's mother tries to reassure them that they will be reunited soon, but the reality is far from what they hope for. When the family is eventually reunited, they are forced to make a traumatic journey to a rural area, where they are joined by thousands of other urban residents. The living conditions are deplorable, with overcrowded housing and a severe lack of food and water. Chou, the second-oldest sibling, contracts a deadly disease and dies shortly after their arrival, leaving the family shattered. As the days turn into weeks, the Ung family faces unimaginable hardships, including famine, disease, and the constant threat of execution. Pol Pot's regime is infamous for its brutality, and prisoners are often taken away in the dead of night, never to be seen again. The fear and uncertainty are palpable, and the family struggles to survive. Meanwhile, Loung's older sister, Kim, is sent to work in a factory, where she witnesses the unspeakable horrors of the regime. Workers are forced to labor for long hours in grueling conditions, and anyone who dares to question or defy the authorities is subject to severe punishment. The movie's title, "First They Killed My Father," refers to the traumatic event that unfolds when Chhou, the brother who contracts the deadly disease, is taken away by the Khmer Rouge to die. His death serves as a harbinger of what is to come, and the family is left to pick up the pieces of their shattered lives. As the months pass, Loung and her family are repeatedly separated and reunited, but their experiences leave an indelible mark on their psyche. Loung's innocence is gradually eroded as she witnesses the atrocities committed by the Khmer Rouge. Her resilience and courage in the face of unimaginable hardship make her a beacon of hope in a situation that seems devoid of it. The film's depiction of the Khmer Rouge's brutality is graphic and unflinching. The regime's crimes, which resulted in the deaths of an estimated 1.7 to 2.2 million people, are staggering. The movie serves as a powerful reminder of the dangers of unchecked power and the devastating consequences of a regime that prioritizes ideology over human life. Ultimately, 'First They Killed My Father' is a testament to the human spirit's capacity for survival and resilience in the face of unimaginable adversity. Loung's story is a sobering reminder of the need to acknowledge and learn from the past, lest we forget the lessons of history. As the movie comes to a close, Loung, now a young woman, reflects on her experiences, and the pain and trauma that still linger. However, she also finds a sense of hope and a desire to rebuild her life and create a better future.