PHNOM PENH – Renowned director Poan Phoung Bopha has dedicated almost 36 years to movie production, driven by her love and commitment to portraying the realities of family life. 

Some of her films from 20 years ago have been reposted on social media and still have great public appeal. One example is “Daughter-In-Law”, a film that reflects the experiences and pressures of Khmer women in the 1980s and 1990s. 

“Daughter-In-Law” has been reposted on her YouTube channel and captures the audience’s emotions and gives a fresh perspective to those who watched it almost 20 years ago.

Bopha shares her movies’ key messages, the messages of the reposted films and her thoughts on “Daughter-In-Law”, which went viral recently. 

Top Vannara: You have written and directed many outstanding films that address real-life family issues. At that time, what key messages did you intend to convey? 

Poan Phoung Bopha: Over the years, I have seen changes in life across different periods. War happened in the country and tore family members apart from each other. As a result, some living family members lose their virtue, morality, and manners. As a filmmaker, I have asked myself how I could help them. I came up with the idea of reflecting on these family issues in my movies. 

Family is what we should preserve because society needs family for its further development. Education is the starting point of building a strong family so I focus on showcasing the unwavering support and dedication of mothers towards their children, between siblings, and presenting other realities for audiences to watch and learn from.  

I direct each film from my pure heart and am deeply satisfied and grateful for the enormous support from audiences. Although there are not many female filmmakers in the country, I am excited about creating films not only for entertainment but also to educate. 

Top Vannara: After producing documentary and educational films for more than 30 years, why do you decide to repost your movies again on social media? 

Poan Phoung Bopha: I noticed that some people were posting my movies online without my consent. Although I made some of these films to display on television, their intellectual property belongs to me. I am aging now so I want to compile all my works into one collection. It is unfair to see others post my work without permission or giving credit. They should be ashamed of what they do. They do not know the complex process involving story production, selecting the locations, casting, and production. By compiling these films together, I hope the future generations can learn from and appreciate the effort behind filmmaking. 

Top Vannara: Your old films have gained renewed appeal on social media platforms. “Daughter-In-Law”, which first appeared on television in 2006 gained popularity again recently, so how do you feel about that? 

Poan Phoung Bopha: I felt so excited when our hard work paid off and remained recognized. “Daughter-In-Law” seems like a reflection of real life for some audiences, making them relatable and emotional. Actually, this film first went viral once in 2006 and I am even more grateful to see it regain popularity now. The story addresses societal pressures on women including pressure from parents on marriage decisions, challenges encountered by daughter-in-law after marriage, and pressures from the society when women went out to work which the society believed women should be inferior to men. The main character’s resilience and decision to work outside embody the message to the audience that women can overcome these hurdles.

Top Vannara: There are some comments that “Daughter-In-Law” is based on a real-life story. Is that true? 

Poan Phoung Bopha: I drew inspiration from real-life experiences. The film is not based on any one specific story. I met many daughters-in-law and I learnt from their stories. I combined their hurdles and stories into a single narrative. It is a blend of experience, I could not say this movie is based on any specific individual’s life. 

Originally written in Khmer for ThmeyThmey, this story was translated by Rin Ousa for Cambodianess.