Come on, walk on.
Faster. Forward.
Don't be left behind. Hurry up.
You there, faster.
Leave it behind. You don't need that.
Sovanh.
- I rattle. - Turn off the radio.
Go on.
It's finished.
Sovanh. Come eat.
News from Southeast Asia: The Khmer Rouge have taken Phnom Penh.
Foreigners need to hurry to their embassy.
The situation for the local population is unclear.
17 April 1975
Phnom Penh is taken by Angkar, the Khmer Rouge party.
The city is violently swept clean.
More than one and a half million people abandoned their homes and fireplaces.
They will meet an uncertain future.
You should see Lily. She still chews his fruit for him.
Enjoy it, Chou. Before you know it, they are big.
Oil, some rice and two bottles of water.
- That is not enough for another week. - We will ration even more.
Hopefully we can go back soon.
Meng, that's not a good idea.
Comrades ...
My family and me are exhausted.
It would take three more days, and we have been running for almost a week now.
When can we go back to Phnom Penh?
We have a small child.
The food is running out, and so is the water.
Still threatening bombing there?
- Where are you taking us? - Be silent.
Angkar knows what's good for you. Don't ask questions.
Comrade. My brother didn't want to ...
- Angkar is against anti-revolutionary behavior. - Forgive him.
He does not understand. We need him. Please.
Please.
You have to eat, Tuch.
What will happen to us? Where are we going?
Phnom Penh is closed.
- We hear a lot about the communists. - They took men away yesterday.
They are not back yet.
They just lied that bombing was imminent.
They will never let us return.
- We have to do something. - What then?
There are patrols. We can't go anywhere.
Do we have to wait until it gets worse? They continue to obey?
Enough, Meng.
Listen to your brother.
Koh Thom is not far away. We can go to cousin Sok.
Then we will have shelter and food.
Describe cousin Sok.
Is he muscular from the fieldwork?
He's too young for you, Mom.
I only met him a few times. But he will help us.
Khuon says he's generous.
Mom? Mom, where are you?
What is that?
Don't, Mom. That's not allowed. Wait.
It's from someone. What are you doing now?
I'm doing us a favor.
Forward. Wake up.
The revolution is ongoing. Go to the villages.
Angkar will take care of you.
Hurry up.
Join the revolution.
The people will bring about change. Forward.
Hop, Sovanh. We go.
You. Foreign imperialism is anti-revolutionary.
That car must be destroyed. We do not tolerate foreign influences.
Comrade.
- We have a large family. The car... - It belongs to the people now. From Angkar.
Property is capitalist.
Destruction for people and revolution.
Walk on, Sovanh.
Chou.
Are you okay?
Yes. Do not worry.
Run through. Faster.
I don't cross. There must still be a way.
- They cannot force us. - Of course they can.
They have the weapons.
They don't let us turn around. We have to cross.
- That river will be our death, Khuon. - We have no choice.
We let the others go first.
Sovanh. Sovanh.
Sovanh...
You can't go back. Follow the orders.
Please, Comrade.
Our son is lost. We have to find him.
Run through. Angkar will take care of him.
He is only three years old.
He will return.
Come back.
Continue, I said.
Yes, comrade.
No, we have to ...
Sovanh...
Don't worry, Tuch. She really can manage.
- She's stuck with Sovanh. - Perhaps.
An old woman and a boy of three. What should they do in this madness?
Chou.
Are you okay, Chou?
Of course not, Khuon.
We have lost Sovanh. Why didn't you do something?
Why didn't you go find him? Why?
We must walk on.
Chou, we have to move on.
Otherwise we won't survive.
I'm sure she's with him.
She is strong and stubborn like a donkey.
She will protect him.
They are stuck in Koh Thom. At Sok.
Safe and sound.
Very well.
Hide what you have left.
- Are you also a member? - Sock?
Men are needed to bring change. Wise choice.
I was one of the first.
Everything becomes different.
Angkar will purify our country.
The revolution brings justice and equality.
Get rid of the traitors that ruin the land.
Imperialism has us dominated for too long.
Let us return to the purity of the past.
We slept, but the Khmer people will rise ...
and revive their grand past.
Have you seen Sovanh, our son?
He must be with grandma.
We got separated and could do nothing.
They were sent to the south.
There is a lot of work to do there.
He will serve the revolution. Just like you.
You come into my cooperative. Isn't that an opportunity?
And your son is not far away. You will of course come across him again.
We change often. He will then be a good revolutionary.
It is tight.
But be happy that the cabin is empty. New ones are being built.
Until that time it is picking up.
Your old clothes must go. Too imperialistic.
We are all equal now.
In the service of Angkar.
Tomorrow morning the leadership will take you to inform and explain the work.
Make sure you are on time.
No change without self-criticism.
You will appreciate the benefits of the revolution.
I'm bringing him back.
I promise.
Comrades. There.
Angkar welcomes you.
There are cooperatives throughout the country.
Angkar, the communist party, has united the Khmer.
The party will be good for you and free from the imperialist yoke.
All forces will work together ...
.. with us to independence and victory.
You have been smeared too long with capitalism.
The American enemy has ruined you.
But Angkar is good and forgiving.
He will purify you.
Our ancestors serve as a guide.
Follow their example.
There is a lot of work to do.
We must work together to revive our past.
- Long live Angkar. - Long live Angkar.
But among you, the new people, are traitors.
They will be destroyed.
Angkar sees everything.
Angkar hears everything.
- Long live Angkar. - Long live Angkar.
You have to find him, Sok.
He only wanted to get Sovanh.
I already said it that way.
I'll handle it, Chou.
Go to work. And be obedient.
Khuon should have done that too.
May 1975
What is this? Nasty.
Bloodsuckers don't just suck you empty. Back to work.
Don't hesitate, just do it.
Planting, pressing.
In the same motion.
Well done. Push harder. With your thumb.
- Forget those new ones, Chan. - We are thirsty.
They don't deserve to drink. See how they work.
They only eat. Eating and parading around.
Chou, wait.
- Did you see him? - No.
I didn't cross the river.
Tuch, are you okay?
Nothing wrong.
Don't delay. Faster.
You've been lying around for three days.
He is not worth it.
Do you remember Dara?
That traitor consumed by greed and ambition?
He was the old governor.
He confessed and was punished.
Without the party, corruption continues.
You have to be critical of yourself.
That was difficult for me too. But you have to be strong.
Accept your punishment if you deserve it.
Pain cleanses us from imperialism.
Soon a new society will originate.
Honest and right.
Equal?
We make the same sacrifices, but what do your comrades eat?
Many soldiers have been working for years on the land.
They have earned that food. But more needs to be harvested.
Angkar rewards hard work. You deserve the right to good food.
And when will I see Sovanh again?
He will walk in one day.
You can visit him soon.
If you behave.
Like I said, Angkar rewards those who work.
You should see Chan.
The heel picker.
Working fast is not enough. Dig deeper.
Start over.
- I tried my best. - All should help
It was wise to come back.
We can't go on like this, Khuon. Have you thought about it?
- Between two patrols ... - It's too dangerous, Meng.
The family will pay the bill.
We are starving. Look at Tuch. He must eat.
- I know that. - Let's try something.
We can't make it on this ration.
Enough. I don't want you to put us in danger.
Save your strength, Hout. Treat them, so you get better.
They are waiting for us to die.
Fifteen women? I can do that without missing. Try it further.
- What? - Comrade Chief.
My son is in a camp away.
I haven't seen him in months. Can I go there?
- It is not a day of walking ... - Working. The field must be finished.
And when it is finished? I work hard, comrade.
I am willing to work at night.
Don't be selfish. Angkar cares for your son. Be grateful.
Tomorrow we are going to the north to mine. No whining.
But my son ...
What is it, Lim? Are you lost?
- Do you think he's okay? - I know that for sure.
Children are treated better.
They can't say mum or dad.
- We have to get him back. - I think about that every day.
We can't ask. You know what they do if you don't obey.
And if we ask the Sok?
I do not trust him.
He is brainwashed.
What do we do then? Nothing, as usual?
Tuch.
He will die without medication.
They will send him to the aid station.
That has become a house of death.
Without doctors. Without medication.
What should I do then?
If you can pay with something ...
Do you have anything from the city?
Don't tell anyone.
I have to risk it, and run under cover.
I'll be back in a few days.
Take good care of my son.
How is he doing?
Bad. He is getting weaker.
I will try to arrange extra food.
And Sovanh? Can you...
We are getting along well. And you work hard.
I arrange permits.
Hurry up.
Do not waste time.
You avoid the edges.
You undermine the revolution.
You should be ashamed. You are useless.
And also injured your leg.
You hold up your comrades.
We have nothing for you. Register at the aid station.
Sovanh is just south of here. Go on.
A three year old boy.
So big. His name is Sovanh.
He was with his grandmother, Nay.
He's on the other side deported from the country.
How long can this go on, Khuon? She's been gone for almost a week.
It is already too late.
I promised, Meng.
Do you want him to starve?
I don't know about her.
Maybe she's not coming back given her bed partner.
- Enough. - And if she's right?
If Chan doesn't come back and we sit with her child?
Does he replace Sovanh?
He is not our responsibility. We barely have enough food ourselves.
What you gave her last week may have saved Tuch.
This life is hell.
We all go under it.
They take us one by one, Khuon. No reason.
- We have to flee the country. - Impossible, Meng.
How do you want to get away? They are everywhere.
All our communications are destroyed. Who knows what happens?
And so we stay? See us again falling dead?
We must act.
Do you think they will let us travel?
And where do you want to go? Thailand?
Do you have any route map? Money for a smuggler?
- No, but... - And if we come across a patrol?
You know what they do with runaways.
And Sovanh? Did you think of him?
Are we leaving him here?
We have no choice, Meng.
We have to stay. And survive.
That slut is back again.
She would sell her child for some rice. Disgusting.
You harvest what you sow, Chou. Come.
I could not bring anything with me. My contact has been picked up.
But I have your jewelry. I only kept my share.
I know what you think of me.
What you all think.
But I have no regrets.
You left him alone for a whole week, Chan.
Everything that could, happened to him.
While you slept with the leadership.
We do what we can.
- If my son were here ... - Then you did it too.
He's a good boy. Take good care of him.
Guide him through this hell.
You are on top of it again, Chan. We take you to the aid station and ...
I will not abandon him. I promise.
Khuon. Wake up, Khuon.
Meng, are you ...
Good luck, my brother.
Where are you going?
Did you want to flee?
Betrayer. Cheater.
Sok.
Everything good?
We have to get out of here.
Go on.
We'll take over the watch, Sok.
I'll handle this. Go back to the camp.
Go on. Go find your son.
Bora.
Wake up.
What happened, Sok? Everything good? Have you been attacked?
- Which way did they go? - It was an accident.
I ... I thought he was a thief.
There was nothing to look for here. He would guard the storage.
An accident?
You killed him.
You killed my brother, you bastard.
Here, tackle. Killer.
Enough, Vichea. Let him go.
We will interrogate him in the camp.
No, he killed Bora.
Let me go.
Don't.
Hup, get in. And arrange.
You are going north.
Please, not my son.
He works hard and he is obedient. A good revolutionary.
Your son will be with his brothers and sisters of Angkar.
He will embody the party spirit.
Please, Comrade. He's all I have left.
Take younger children, who cannot work yet. Like him.
He goes with another group.
No, please. He needs me.
Hold on, Peuv.
Help.
Comrades. Please.
My daughter. Help me. She fell.
She can't swim. She will drown.
How do we get a rope?
Are you going down? It's pitch dark inside.
Do you hear me?
She doesn't answer.
Peuv, can you hear me? Peuv.
She fainted.
Hold on, Peuv.
Save her, please.
- Where are you going? - Help out.
- She is a child. - So what?
Then they know what it feels like.
My daughter. My daughter is down there.
She will be fine.
Wait!
Let me go.
Lim has caught that bitch. While you let us choke.
You have nothing for Sovanh and Lim done. I only got this piece of fabric.
But I want my son back. Do you hear me?
You and you.
You two.
You ... And you. You are going to work in the north.
Go to the trucks.
It's gonna be okay, Lily. It's only for a few days.
Hurry up. You stop everyone.
Hout...
January 1977
Mom. Is everything alright?
Let me see.
I am in pain, I am tired. And I am starving.
When does this end? I can't take it anymore.
He must be five years old now. His name is Sovanh.
Does it mean anything to you?
His grandma, Nay, is probably with him.
They went to this part of the country.
We are all looking for someone.
And we all have encountered a Sovanh.
Hurry up, Peuv.
For Lily.
I'm sure it's from that veteran.
- Did you see how he looked at Lily? - No.
He is crazy about her.
She must be nice to him.
The guards like him. He works at the food store.
It is now three months.
Are they really gone to work?
Stop. I don't want to think about it.
They will come back.
Don't eat it, Mom. It's the girl's that Lim and Khuon paid.
So what?
I can't go on without them, without Sovanh.
Stay off, I said.
We will starve.
She can choke on her debt.
So what? The point is that we eat.
Stay away from it, I said.
The men are not coming back. We just have to make it through.
Give it back, you idiot.
You're the idiot. You would sell your own daughter.
It is indeed terrible.
But he can eat.
He can help you. Through him we can survive.
We can barely stand up.
We work day and night, on an empty stomach.
If we refuse his help, we die.
You took everything.
Our life, our family.
Even our dignity.
You decide where we are going. Whether we live or die.
You can destroy us.
But I still deal with one thing myself.
Dying without your pity.
Lily.
Hout...
I don't know where he is. They separated us.
He went to harvest palm sugar.
I haven't heard anything since.
No. Lily.
Do you still think about her?
Here, this will cheer you up.
Hey, what are you doing? Open the door.
Open up. What are you doing now?
Open up. Open the door.
You will find them.
Do not give up.
Whom are you talking to, you bastard? A henchman?
Dirty traitor.
Whether you are alone or with many, Angkar finds you and finishes you.
All of you.
Do you know that dog?
Do you also work for the CIA or the KGB?
No, comrade. I swear.
You're his henchman, right?
Look at him. Do you know him?
Liar.
- You know... - No, I don't know him.
- Are you hiding behind your age? - I didn't do anything, comrade.
No, please. Have mercy. I am innocent.
Angkar does this with enemies of the revolution.
No. I did not do anything.
August 1978
Chou...
I am with you.
Do not leave me alone.
I think I found Sovanh.
There is a children's camp just north of here.
A boy I worked with told me.
He didn't know Sovanh, but many children go there.
You can't give it up now, Chou.
The Vietcong surround us.
The workers get here as quickly as possible.
Fast. Look there. Hurry up.
We have to go.
If we ever get the chance to find Sovanh, this is it.
Fight for your country.
For every death on our side we will avenge ten.
Quick, over here. Fill this truck. Hurry up.
I've already looked. There is nobody here. Look on the other side.
If we walk on, we will be out of the country in a few days.
Behind that hill lies Thailand.
It can be dangerous, but it's our best chance.
Will he keep up?
We are together.
It'll be fine.
Shall I take over?
Stop. Don't let him escape.
An executive. Because of him my brother disappeared.
Where did you want to go?
Did you expect to escape? Angkar can no longer help you.
- Now you are beeping differently, don't you? - He will pay.
And you? Why are you crying?
Do you know that dirty dog? You are one of them.
Yes, just look at that headline. Look at her eyes.
- Finish her. - Lie down with him. Dirty bitch.
Overflow star. Viper brood. You are going to die.
I...
She doesn't belong to them.
I know her. She was with my sister in the group. She's innocent.
Liar. You belong to them too. Betrayer.
I'm like you. I was separated from my husband and my son.
- She lies. - I do not lie.
We have experienced the same.
We have been mistreated and we were hungry.
- We were forced to work. - Kill them.
Look.
I have the same scars as you. I have experienced the same hell.
I died when they took a loved one with them.
Our roads separate here.
Otherwise it becomes too dangerous.
I have to protect my family.
- Behind that hill lies Thailand. - I know that. But I'm not going.
My sister is somewhere in the south.
I hope I'm just as lucky.
Mama.
Look at me.
It will be fine.
The sooner we get over the hill, the sooner we will be safe.
I will go take a look. Stay here.
Hey you there.
Stay there. Don't move.
Halt.
1979 - After almost four years in power ...
the Khmer Rouge are losing ground by the Vietnamese intervention.
The regime is responsible for the death of 1.7 to 2 million people.
Another half a million people managed to flee.
THE NEW PEOPLE
FOR MY MOTHER AND MY BROTHER
FOR ALL EXILES