La Joie de vivre

The Joy of Living

by H.M. Norodom Sihanouk

Cambodia - 1969

Saturday, June 1st • 6PM
At Chaktomuk

Feature Film - 66mn

Color

Khmer and French with English & French subtitles

Screenplay H.M. Norodom Sihanouk

Cinematography Som Sam Al

Cast Kong Sam Oeun, Saksi Sbong, Nhek Tioulong, Sieng Dy, Sisowath Kantanavong, Norodom Yuvanat, Suy, Mandoline

Format 35 mm - 1.37:1 - Mono

Genre Comedy

Restored version French Film Archive

Awards Phnom Penh International Film Festival – 1969

Production Khemara Pictures

Synopsis Captain Siporak and Inspector Sam Baun raid the gambling place at Kirirom owned by Prince Chantavong. This place is disguised as an orchid shop. As soon as Prince Chantavong is detained in jail, his wife, princess Sulpra, spends her time having a love relationship with her nephew. Then she meets Okhnia Sneha Sambat, a great hotelier. Okhnia takes her to a big island at Sihanoukville for their holiday. After being released from prison, Prince Chantavong, armed with guns, tries to look for her everywhere…

About How is she going to use her freedom? Very badly, or very well, according to the point of view where we take place. 6th feature film of H.M. Norodom Sihanouk, shooted in Cambodia in 1968 and presented to the public in 1969, La Joie de vivre is not only “a crazily cheerful movie”, to quote Jean Barré (in Réalités Cambodgiennes – May 1969), on music of the sixties.

Selected filmography of S.M. Norodom Sihanouk (1922-2012)

1965 - Apsara

1967 - Le petit prince du people

1968 - Ombre sur Angkor

1969 - Rose de Bokor

1969 - Crépuscule

1969 - Tragique destin

1987 – La cite mystérieuse

1988 – Adieu mon amour

1993 – Revoir Angkor et mourir

1994 – La fleur Champ de Battambang

1995 – Les derniers jours du Colonel Savath (short film)

2005 – Le Cid Khmer (short film)