Watch The Conscience of Nhem En

The Conscience of Nhem En is a powerful and haunting documentary film that explores the incredible story of Nhem En, a former Khmer Rouge photographer, as he attempts to come to terms with the atrocities he committed during the Cambodian genocide in the 1970s. Directed by Steven Okazaki, the film is a deeply personal and emotional journey that takes us through Nhem En's dark past and into his present-day struggles with guilt and remorse. Using a mix of archival footage, interviews, and re-enactments, the film interweaves Nhem En's story with that of two of his surviving victims, Chim Math and Bou Meng, who were both imprisoned and tortured by the Khmer Rouge regime.

Through their powerful testimonies, we gain a visceral understanding of the horrors that took place during this period of Cambodian history, when an estimated 1.7 million people were killed or died due to the Khmer Rouge's policies of forced labor, starvation, and execution.

At the heart of the film is Nhem En, whose life was forever changed when he was just 16 years old and recruited to be a photographer for the Khmer Rouge. Through archive footage of propaganda videos and photos, we see how Nhem En was used by the regime to document their violent and brutal actions, including the torture and execution of prisoners.

However, as time passes, Nhem En begins to question the morality of what he has been doing. He becomes increasingly disillusioned with the regime, and eventually ends up resigning from his position as photographer in 1978, just months before the Vietnamese army invaded Cambodia and put an end to the genocidal regime.

Yet, even after the Khmer Rouge's fall from power, Nhem En remains haunted by the memories of what he witnessed and participated in. He suffers from nightmares and flashbacks, and struggles to come to terms with his past actions.

It is this struggle that forms the backbone of the film, as Nhem En begins a journey towards redemption and healing. Through a series of interviews with Okazaki, we see Nhem En gradually open up about his past and confront his guilt, even as he continues to be haunted by the question of responsibility and forgiveness.

Overall, The Conscience of Nhem En is a moving and powerful documentary that offers a poignant and gripping portrayal of the effects of genocide on both individuals and society as a whole. Through the stories of Nhem En, Chim Math, and Bou Meng, we gain an intimate and emotional understanding of the trauma that Cambodians suffered during the Khmer Rouge regime, and the ongoing struggle for justice and reconciliation that continues to this day.