Film
Kraithong Kropaer Charawan
Kraithong Kropaer Charawan (The Crocodile Man) is a Khmer-language horror film from Cambodia's pre-1975 cinema about a man who can become a crocodile.[1] It is also known as Kroper Lok Nen, as Kropeu Charavan in Khmer, as Kraithong Krapeu Chalawon in Thai, and as A Water Warrior and a Crocodile Man.[1][2]
Synopsis
The story draws on the Thai folk legend of Kraithong.[2] Two young men learn to fight from the same teacher, Ta Esey, until each accuses the other of murder. One of them, Charavann, can turn into a crocodile at will. He goes under the water, where a water hermit teaches him, and he marries two crocodile women.[1][2]
Charavann returns to land to take revenge on Kraitoung, the other student, whom he blames for the death of a woman. He carries Sampov Meas, a millionaire's daughter, to his underwater home, and his two jealous wives put a spell on her. Many warriors die trying to save her. Kraitoung then goes under the water, kills Charavann and his wives, and brings Sampov Meas home safely. At the end he marries Sampov Meas and her sister, Sampov Keav.[1][2]
Production and credits
The film is a Cambodian production in Khmer.[2] Hui Keung directed, wrote and produced it.[2] One film database lists the director as Kuang Hui and the screenwriter as Tyrone Hsu.[3] The cast includes Dy Saveth, Sok Sam Eak, Pen Ran and Meas Samon.[2] Phra Chan Ni Ko films distributed it.[2] The film runs 102 minutes.[4]
The film belongs to Cambodia's cinema before the Khmer Rouge, a period when traditional legends were a major source for local films.[5]
Release and reception
Sources differ on the release year. Film databases give 1971, with a release date of February 4, 1971, while another reference gives 1972.[4][6][2] The film was released in Thailand and Hong Kong, together with another Khmer film, The Snake King's Wife.[2] Copies are still sold with English and Chinese subtitles.[2]
The film was the classic film pick of the 2014 Cambodia Town Film Festival in Long Beach, California.[1] It screened at 11 a.m. on September 7, 2014, together with "The Bamboo Cutter," the nine-minute second episode of the Dollar Series.[7]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Cambodia Town Film Festival, Matt Dillon, Crocodile Man, and Cambodian Cinema at Cambodia Town Film Fest This Saturday (archived)
- ↑ 2.00 2.01 2.02 2.03 2.04 2.05 2.06 2.07 2.08 2.09 2.10 Wikimedia Foundation, Inc., Crocodile Man - Wikipedia (2008-10-14)
- ↑ Treyler, Kraithong Kropaer Charawan (1971)
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Bingetime, Kraithong Kropaer Charawan
- ↑ Wikimedia Foundation, Inc., Cinema of Cambodia - Wikipedia (2006-05-19)
- ↑ MyShows, Cambodian Horror-supernatural Movies
- ↑ Cambodia Town Film Festival, CTFF OFFICIAL 2014 FILM LINEUP (archived)