This 2016 film from Director Davy Chou is not going to appeal to a wide audience due to its relatively slow-moving plot. Not a lot happens but those who stick with it will discover a beautifully shot story with heart. It’s a story of family, of friendship, and of progress in modern day Cambodia.
Teenager Bora leaves his family farm to take up work at a construction site on Diamond Island in the city of Phnom Penh. There he discovers his estranged brother, missing for 5 years and now living a better life thanks to a never-seen American ‘sponsor’ who keeps him on tap.
Diamond Island used to be home to poor families but has, in recent times, benefited from land reclamation projects that have led to the development of an amusement park, restaurants and new homes which have pushed the former inhabitants out.
The film Diamond Island provides a glimpse into both worlds, focussing on the poorer workers who are building the playground for the wealthy. The predominantly young cast are all stellar, offering naturalistic performances. The cast features Sobon Nuon as the central protagonist Bora, Cheanick Nov as his brother Solei and Madeza Chhem as girlfriend Aza, with Mean Korn and Samnang Nut as Bora’s friends, Dy and Virak respectively.
Diamond Island is a simple tale that was jointly written by Claire Maugendre and the Director. It’s not a populist film, but an enjoyable one.
Reviewed by Rod Lewis
Twitter: @StrtegicRetweet
Rating out of 10: 7
There will be two screenings of Diamond Island on 29 September and 2 October 2017 at the Mercury Cinema. Diamond Island is screening as part of the 2017 OzAsia Festival, which runs 21 September – 8 October 2017.
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