Award-Winning 2025 Film at Cambodia Indigenous Community Event
By Michelle Vachon Cambodianess Fri, July 11, 2025
A member of the Bunong community in Mondulkiri province. Photo: Tong Len
PHNOM PENH — Over the last centuries, the process has been about the same on every continent. As part of economic development, communities that had lived in forests or jungles, and whose way of life is innately linked to nature saw their land taken over and transformed whether due to mining, lumber supplies or urban expansion.
For them, this became a matter of survival in every way, attempting to preserve not only their livelihoods but also their traditions and the very essence of who they are.
Produced and directed by Zaya Ralitza Benazzo and Maurizio Benazzo, the film “The Eternal Song,” speaks of what has happened to the indigenous people and how they manage today.
Released on March 31, the film has been shown at several international film festivals in United States and Europe, and has already received a long list of awards.
“The Eternal Song” is presented in Phnom Penh on Sunday afternoon, July 13, as part of the Cambodian Indigenous Peoples’ Celebration.
“This movie is really good to reflect on the situation, not only in Latin America and other countries but also in Cambodia,” said Blen Romam, president of the Cambodia Indigenous Youth Association (CIYA). “All of us need to bring the spirits together to protect the land, because the land doesn’t belong to us, we belong to the land. We, indigenous peoples, are deeply connected with the land. And now because of climate change, and as we are all living on the earth, not only Indigenous Peoples but all people need to pay attention to protect natural resources.”
Held at The Factory, the film presentation and event will include dance, free food tasting as well as photo, cultural artifact and craft displays.
The event will start with young indigenous singers performing a song written by one of their young songwriters. “This song…is connected to our land, connected to the natural resources, reflects how our lives rely on the land,” said Yun Mane, an attorney and executive director of the Cambodia Indigenous Peoples Organisation (CIPO). “It also reflects our culture, heritage…all this knowledge that remains and is part of our indigenous people’s life today.
“Our indigenous [singers] have performed at several events,” she said. “But this is probably the first time that we all join in, indigenous women, elders, youth…for the screening of a film that is related to…indigenous people from other countries,” said Mane who is of Bunong heritage.
This will help, she said, “start setting up connections, linking [with other indigenous communities presented] through this film.”
Poster of the film “The Eternal Song” presented as part of the Cambodian Indigenous Peoples’ Celebration in Phnom Penh on July 13.
The afternoon with start with indigenous people performing a traditional ritual, followed by the young singers. After the film, indigenous people representatives will share their views on the film, and discuss whether the situations of the communities shown in the film are similar or different for those of indigenous people in Cambodia, Mane said.
The event on July 13 is also an appeal for support to people in the country.
“The Indigenous [people’s heritage] is part of Cambodia’s cultural heritage,” Mane said. “We need all different actors [institutions, government agencies, people in the country] to support us. Without their support, it’s hard for us. We cannot do it alone. We need more people, more friends, more supporters.
“So please join us at The Factory,” Mane said. “At least you will be learning some of the culture, the history, the situation of the indigenous people from other countries and how we can better link indigenous people from other countries with the indigenous people in Cambodia through development work at different levels.
“So this is our wish and expectation from this [event],” she added.
According to data provided, there are 24 different indigenous peoples in Cambodia who speak mostly Mon-Khmer or Austronesian languages. They constitute around 3 percent of the country’s population, their numbers being estimated at 250,000 to 400,000 people.
The event held on Sunday, July 13, from 2:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. takes place at the Factory Theatre in Factory Phnom Penh, which is located at 1159 NR2, Phnom Penh.
Admission is free.
SOURCE: Cambodianess, Cambodia, Fri, July 11, 2025
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