Farmers vs. 800 years of jungle — and they're winning.
Deep in the jungle of Cambodia lies a jewel from the Khmer Empire: the temple of Banteay Chhmar. Half devoured by plants and long forgotten by most people, the 800-year-old complex is being rediscovered, slowly. The village community of Banteay Chhmar is taking charge. Far from the well-trodden tourist trails, the rice farmers of this small village are trying an experiment unknown in Cambodia: with almost no outside help, they are fighting to preserve and restore their temple using nothing but their own strength.
Cinematography
Vines swallowing stone = nature's most patient cinematographer.
Direction
Luck lets the farmers speak; no white savior complex in sight.
Director
Wolfgang Luck
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Banteay Chhmar was looted so thoroughly in the 1990s that entire wall sections appeared in Bangkok galleries. The community's DIY approach emerged directly from that betrayal by outsiders.
Director Wolfgang Luck spent three malaria seasons filming; his original translator quit to become a tour guide at Angkor Wat. The irony was not lost on him.
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