Film
Love 2 the Power of 4
Love 2 the Power of 4 (ស្នេហ៍ស្វ័យគុណ ៤, Sner Svai Kun Buon) is a 2017 Cambodian romantic comedy by Sothea Ines and Deependra Gauchan.[1][2] It is a story about love in its many forms, in which finding love is only the beginning and keeping it is the real challenge.[1]
Synopsis
Four middle-class Cambodian couples chase their dreams and ambitions while trying to balance work and romance.[2] Their lives become entangled as they push against strong social barriers.[3] Hidden secrets and shadows from their pasts return to threaten their relationships.[2] The film shows young romance and Cambodian dating habits, and it includes same-sex love among its couples.[3]
Production and credits
Sothea Ines and Deependra Gauchan wrote, directed and produced the film.[4] It was Ines's first feature. She had worked as a writer and director at BBC Media Action on the television series Loy9 and Love9, and her debut short film, Rice, won the Best Film Award at TROPFEST SEA in 2014. She founded ComeTogether Films in 2015.[4] Gauchan, her mentor, was head of television and executive producer at BBC Media Action from 2003 to 2015, where he conceived and launched Loy9 and Love9. He is creative director of ComeTogether Films and an adviser to the Department of Cinema and Cultural Diffusion of Cambodia's Ministry of Fine Arts and Culture.[4]
Bernard Anthony was executive producer and Chhin Sothea line producer. Chey Sambath was director of photography, Khem Chanthon the editor and Khorn Thavy the sound designer. Songkites wrote the music, Na Chingching designed the production, and Apple Love designed the costumes and makeup.[4] The Cambodia Film Commission lists it as a romantic comedy with an ensemble cast.[5] The film is in Khmer. The Cambodia Town Film Festival gives a running time of 1 hour 52 minutes, and the Cambodia International Film Festival listing gives 115 minutes.[4][2]
Cast
- Cheky Athiporn as Tony
- Birya Beebee as Neardey
- Kim Saron as Sam
- Mean Sonyta as Nyta
- Duch Lida as Rita
- Chy Ratana as Seila
- Chan Sreyroth as Samdy
- Pich Sophy as Clint
- Sam Rocker as Roth
- Sok Sokonitha as Leak[4]
Release and reception
The film screened at the Cambodia International Film Festival in March 2017, at Platinum Cineplex in Phnom Penh on March 6 and at Legend TK Avenue on March 8 and Legend City Mall on March 9.[2] It was also shown in 2017 at the Hong Kong International Film and TV Market (FILMART).[6]
The film had its U.S. premiere as an official selection of the 2017 Cambodia Town Film Festival, at the Art Theatre Long Beach on September 16, 2017. It screened in Khmer with English subtitles.[1]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Cambodia Town Film Festival, CTFF 2017 Official Selection: LOVE 2 THE POWER OF 4 (archived)
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 Asian Film Festivals, 10 Films you cannot miss at the Cambodia International Film Festival (2017-03-05)
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 wheninphnompenh.com, 10 Cambodian Movies to Watch in 2018 - When in Phnom Penh (2018-02-25)
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 web.archive.org, Cambodia Town Film Festival (2017-08-06)
- ↑ Cambodia Film Commission, Cambodian films (2019-10-14)
- ↑ VOA Khmer, At Hong Kong Film Fest, Hope for a Booming Cambodian Film Industry Lingers (2017-03-24)