ខ្ញុំជាអ្នកណា? Who Am I? (2009) by Phoan Phoung Bopha

By: Piseth Baramey Chhoun, Cambodia

Phoan Phoung Bopha's Who Am I? introduces a narrative previously unexplored in Cambodian cinema history: same-sex romance. It details the romantic entanglement between a Cambodian-American woman who works in the tourist industry, Rath (Keo Sreyneang), and a Khmer celebrity, Thida (Ny Monica)—the two were in a long-distance relationship before gleefully reuniting as Rath returns to Cambodia to visit Thida. Rath showers Thida with gifts and affection and takes her on a retreat to the countryside, while Thida remains unmoved by advances from other admirers due to her adoration for Rath. The romance between the two is eventually discovered by Thida's mother, who forces her to marry a wealthy man due to her prejudiced views. Thida, troubled by the predicament, flees with Rath at the wedding, only to be caught by her betrothed. He murders Rath in a fit of anger and entitlement, which then causes Thida to commit suicide out of grief over her lost love.

Discrimination and societal intolerance against homosexuality are culturally resonant themes explored in this film, reflecting the Khmer LGBTQ+ community's continued subjection to forced marriages, "corrective" rape, and violence at exponential rates (especially in rural areas). As a Khmer person who is part of this community, Who Am I? is a movie that I personally connect with as I grew up around ideas of homosexuality as a taboo or something to be “corrected,” struggling with family acceptance. It's hard to live in a society where you're not treated as an equal because of who you are or love, and it's even harder to call your homeland “home” if you can't be your authentic self. While the film is in Khmer, I strongly recommend it to anyone interested in gaining insight into the societal realities of gender and sexual minorities in Cambodia, as well as LGBTQ+ Southeast Asian representation in general.

Who Am I? (2009), directed by Phoan Phoung Bopha.