AsiaLIFE

The advent of full-sized cinemas with international licensed films in the Kingdom is a momentous event. Lindsay Muscato finds out how Cambodians are reacting to the 3-D experience. Photography by Conor Wall.

Sorn Chantha’s sister was 14 years old when she saw her first 3-D film—or, for that matter, her first film on a cinema-sized screen. Earlier that week the young girl had been fascinated by a postcard advertising “Transformers 3”. At night she'd been having dreams about the characters in the film. But after she actually saw the film, she turned to Sorn in surprise. "This was my dream. I didn't know a dream could leave my mind," she whispered.

For many Cambodians, the July opening of Legend Cinema in City Mall provided the first chance for them to see major films from Hollywood in a bigscreen, 3-D format. The cinema opened with three screens and admission prices at US$4. The first few weeks were so packed that Sorn, her sister and her friends couldn't purchase tickets. Finally they planned a week in advance and saw “Transformers 3” on its third week.

Sorn has seen big-screen and 3-D films before in Australia, Europe and other major Asian cities. But she's thrilled to see Hollywood come to Cambodia. "Now I don't have to go to Bangkok," she says. And beyond the thrill of a good night's entertainment, she believes in the importance of new artistic influences. "Cambodian cinema is all love stories and ghosts," she says. "Nothing educates me or surprises me."

Sopheap Chhuon, who accompanied Sorn to the film, agrees that it was a valuable, if strange, experience to see a film in 3-D. "I really felt like we were in the movie with the characters,” she says. “When there was suspense, we were even more excited [than with a 2-D movie]. Pieces of reality came closer."

Her son, 4, loved the movie so much that he has been playing with Transformers action figurines daily since they saw the film. But the cinema may need to re-design its 3-D glasses. "They were way too big for the kids' faces," Sopheap says.

“Transformers 3” was the first film to show at Legends, and since then other major American films such as “Kung Fu Panda 2” have premiered. Next up are “Cars 2”, “The Fast and the Furious 5”, “Super 8”, and “Avatar Special Edition”.

Within a month of the Legend cinema opening, another theatre, Sabay The Cineplex, opened on the fifth floor of Sorya Shopping Centre. The Cineplex shows 3-D offerings as well, including “Harry Potter 7”, and Hollywood hits and regional Asian films are planned for its line-up. Both cinemas offer inexpensive snacks to round out the experience. At Legend, popcorn has been sold for US$1, a bargain for anyone accustomed to snack prices in other countries.

There's something larger at work, too. Since the advent of filmmaking, the art form has immersed viewers in alternate worlds. Sure, “Transformers” provides a look at a world where cars can turn into giant evil-fighting robots. However, in between the mayhem of a blockbuster plotline, the film provides a glimpse into a very different culture.

"It gives Cambodians a vision of another life, perhaps,” says Sorn. “Normally even on TV people just watch local movies. By having a new cinema that shows movies from America, it gives a younger generation the chance to see something different. It shows them a life outside of their country."