In the Life of Music

As a second-generation Cambodian-American, "In the Life of Music" struck a chord with me. No pun intended. Great feature films made by ethnic minorities are a rare treat. A feature film made by a Cambodian-American is even rarer, and I savored every moment of it.

I was particularly struck with Ellen Wong's performance as a Cambodian-American trying to gather up pieces of her family's history despite the English-Khmer language barrier between her and the older generation. It's an issue I identify with in my own life since many older Cambodians refugees struggle with English due to a combination of immigrating at an older age, severe trauma and hardship from war, lack of financial resources, and access to education. A lot of second-generation Cambodian-Americans, like myself, have difficulty communicating with the older generation because our Khmer language skills diminish due to overworked parents trying to make ends meet don't have much personal time for family, and/or formal language classes in Khmer aren't really available in our communities.

What ends up happening is a huge language and cultural gap between 1st generation and 2nd generation Cambodian-Americans. 1st Generation Cambodian-Americans have trouble speaking about their past history and experiences either because of language difficulty or the experience was too painful to talk about. 2nd Generation Cambodian-Americans have trouble asking and learning/understanding about those experiences.

This film, "In the Life of Music" tries to create a cultural bridge between the two generations who have trouble understanding one another through the shared experience of music. And I think the film does a great job at it since 1960s Cambodian pop music was one of the few things the older generation had and held onto in America. And it's also one of the few things 2nd Gen Cambodian-Americans can use to relate to our parents since it's often part of our childhood experience at family events or restaurants. The only other thing that remotely comes close to it would maybe be ...the Southern California donut.

The miracle of this film that Caylee So and Sok Vishal brought into timeless existence, is that it breaths not only life into one of the darkest experiences of humanity - but exhales love. It draws on the creative prowess of young Cambodian actors, blends seamlessly a story told in both English and Khemer, and reverberates with hope that love, like music endures... I feel the partnership of Caylee and Sok who brought such breathtaking performances from the children actors in the film, with their talented crew of editor, cowriter, sound and cinemagraphic artists, in partnership with producers and the heart and soul of the Cambodian community in America, and those in Cambodia who made this film happen - achieved a beautiful miracle. This is a priceless addition to the film record of the contribution to our human family by Cambodia and Cambodians.

I can't watch the movie, can someone help me please??

"In the Life of Music" is an incredibly beautiful and touching story. Wonderfully woven, the music composition, sounds, and narrative...So many layers of emotion---humor, sadness, nostalgia, and hope---I felt it all. I hope everyone has a chance to see it. As a second generation Khmer American, it is incredibly uplifting to see the arts, particularly the cinematic arts, growing in the Khmer diaspora. Pre-war Cambodia, the Khmer Regime, and post-genocide to now...I think we are seeing the start of a new era of stories and artists emerging alongside paying homage to the music, language, and traditions of Cambodia. When people think of "Cambodia", it won't just be about the killing fields or Angkor Wat, but because of films like these, we can also show the richness, potential, and resilience of a people.

Incredible cinematic timepiece that retells the importance of holding onto 'the soul of a nation' in the face of complete eradication. This film was meticulously directed with a aura of somber while the powerful cinematography expertly showcases the story of the young woman's quest to reconnect with her own somber but powerful past. The interwoven drama and history of Cambodia is defined by the art and music of the Khmer, much of which would have been forever destroyed and lost if it wasn't for the those who held onto their last breath to preserve it... to preserve it with their lives until their demise... authentical, educational, and something to be cherished because it is a largely unrecognized and forgotten human story that cannot be repeated ever again in all of humanity.

PS. It does no service to anyone when there are certain reviews of certain regions that would attempt to smear this films' rating as 1* just because of hate and pride. We are all in this together to support the stories that matter.