Bangsokol, A Requiem for Cambodia

MUSIC | FILMDirected and designed by Rithy PanhMusic by Him Sophy Libretto by Trent Walker

Presented in association with Cambodian Living Arts

Part of the 2017 Next Wave FestivalTwo survivors of the Khmer Rouge—composer Him Sophy and filmmaker Rithy Panh (The Missing Picture)—attempt to return dignity to their country’s dead with this musical ritual remembering the Cambodian genocide. Against cinematic evocations of this bruised history, Bangsokol: A Requiem for Cambodia recruits the Metropolis Ensemble, the Taipei Philharmonic Chamber Choir, and traditional Khmer vocalists and instruments—ancient harps, flutes, and the xylophone-like roneat pluah—to mourn the nearly two million forgotten souls. Mellifluous Buddhist smot chanting and other all-but-extinct Khmer musical forms are woven throughout a procession that moves from the heavens to the killing fields, culminating in a plea to recognize impermanence as the only path to peace.

Film by Rithy PanhStage direction by Gideon ObarzanekMusic direction and conducting by Andrew CyrLighting design by Bosco ShawCostume design by Romyda KethMusic developed in collaboration with Metropolis EnsembleOriginal idea by Charley Todd

Commissioned by CAMBODIAN LIVING ARTS. Produced by THE OFFICE performing arts + film.

Additional commissioning support provided by BAM 2017 Next Wave Festival, The Rainbow Initiative, Ministry of Culture Taiwan (R.O.C.), Taipei Philharmonic Foundation, Ford Foundation & Institute of International Education, The Charles E. Culpeper Arts & Culture Grant, Rockefeller Brothers Fund, the Australian Embassy in Cambodia and Arts Centre Melbourne.