Before Sunrise - The making of Sunrise

In a Cambodian first, a group of around 30 orphaned and abandoned children have helped create a short film which is hoped will screen at some of the major festivals around the world.

Sunrise, a 15 minute mini-feature, is inspired by short stories written by some of the kids who live at Sunrise Childrens Villages, an orphanage on the outskirts of Phnom Penh, run by the inimitable Geraldine Cox. Bates 141 is privilleged to be a sponsor of this film.

Kids between the ages of 5 and 17 took on the roles of writers, actors, producers, and crew, and
Sunrise tells the story of a small boy who, believing his mother is dead, gives up his beloved school to take care of his two little sisters in their ramshackle, traditional wooden stilt-house. As we follow his best efforts to keep them fed, washed and entertained, we see glimpses of authentic Cambodian life. The little boy never gives up hope, and his quiet determination is made even more moving by the extraordinary performance of eight year old first time actor Khim Sokheang. Even after the director called cut, Kheang would ask to do another take. I just wanted it to be the best one, he said.

Category:

Film & Animation

Tags:

• cambodia
• children
• orphanage
• sunrise
• sun
• rise
• short
• film
• bates
• 141

[FanaianProductions]

Platon you've done So well!! this is wonderful!!! have this been screened internationally yet? how is the festival run going?

xo farnaz

[adtownaustralia]

Other than the interview, most of the 'making of' footage was also shot by the kids from the orphanage. Great job all round.

[hendura]

i recognized platon as the director there...

[pnompersrules]

congrats to everyone on this! especially the kids!