BEBEU

FIRST THEY KILLED MY FATHER MOVIE

(to sooth or to re-open old wound)

While many Cambodians and people in the movie industry are busy promoting the movie, "First They Killed My Father," poor Cambodians and Democracy in Cambodia continue to be victimized by many other actions of " First they ..."

The new "THEY" are taking advantage of the distraction created by the movie, to quietly work toward setting up scenes for another movie: "They Finally Succeed Their Quest To Commit a More Gentle But Deadly Killing Of Justice, Freedom, and Democracy (JFD) in Cambodia."

In an interview with ABC Good Morning America, Angelina stated that she was surprised by the easy going attitude of most Cambodians despite having lived through the tragedy. Has she ever thought that may be after some 40 years, the wounds have already been healed and people are beginning to work toward the future?

Despite the good intentions claimed by all parties involved in the making of this movie, I still have my doubts. Is it a good idea to reopen old wounds that had already been healed? Would this project be nothing but a cash cow for some? Would this become an unintentional tool/opportunity for people who would like to see the death of JFD in Cambodia.

Are we going to wake up one morning and see this headline: " They Finally Kill JFD in Cambodia?"

I appreciate what Angelina has done to help Cambodians. However, as important as remembering the history, one must also be mindful about the present, or the history will repeat itself.

I sincerely hope that the movie would miraculously make people aware that what is happening in the Kingdom now is very similar to what the Khmer Rouge (all of them - no exception) were doing in 1975.