Watch Cambodia: Between War and Peace

Cambodia: Between War and Peace is an insightful documentary film that explores the history of Cambodia, a country that has been ravaged by war and political unrest for much of the 20th century. Released in 1991, the film was directed by acclaimed filmmaker Michael Maclear and provides a comprehensive overview of the challenges faced by Cambodia during its difficult transition from war to peace.

The film begins by setting the historical context for Cambodia's troubled past. From the country's colonization by the French to its involvement in the Vietnam War, viewers are given a thorough understanding of the complex historical forces that have shaped Cambodia's present-day reality. The first half of the film is particularly focused on the Khmer Rouge regime, a Maoist communist government that ruled the country from 1975 to 1979. Through interviews with survivors of the regime, archival footage, and expert commentary from historians and political analysts, viewers get a sense of the brutality and scale of the Khmer Rouge's reign of terror. The film also delves into how Khmer Rouge leader Pol Pot came to power and his ideology of "Year Zero," which was marked by the ruthless eradication of Cambodia's educated and professional classes.

The second half of the film turns its attention to Cambodia's post-Khmer Rouge era, which has been marked by political instability, civil war, and the intervention of various foreign powers. The film shows how Cambodia's civil war persisted through the 1980s, with the country effectively divided between the forces of the People's Republic of Kampuchea, supported by Vietnam, and the Khmer Rouge, backed by China and the United States. As the film illustrates, this period was characterized by a contentious international dominance, especially in the UN Security Council which saw the competition of the PRC, the US, and the former Soviet Union.

The documentary also explores the United Nations' intervention in Cambodia in the early 1990s, which attempted to restore stability and democracy to the country. The UN's actions were initially met with optimism; however, as the film makes clear, the transition to democracy was fraught with challenges, including corruption, factionalism, and ongoing violence from Khmer Rouge loyalists. The film shows how the UN's efforts to demilitarize the country, disarm combatants, and organize democratic elections were met with resistance and skepticism from many Cambodians.

One of the strengths of the film is the way it presents a wide range of perspectives on Cambodia's history and current situation. Throughout the documentary, viewers hear from a diverse array of voices, including survivors of the Khmer Rouge, American and Chinese diplomats, UN officials, and Cambodian civic leaders. This multiplicity of perspectives helps to provide a nuanced understanding of the complex political and social forces at play in Cambodia's transition to peace.

Overall, Cambodia: Between War and Peace is a powerful and thought-provoking documentary that sheds light on one of the most intriguing and tumultuous periods of modern Southeast Asian history. The film is skillfully constructed and features top-notch production values, with a mix of archival footage, recent interviews, and expert analysis. For anyone interested in understanding the historical and political dynamics of Cambodia, or in gaining insight into the challenges involved in post-conflict reconstruction and democratization, this documentary is not to be missed.