Director: Angelina Jolie
Cast: Sareum Srey Moch, Phoeng Kampheak, Sveng Kompheak
Runtime: 2 hours 16 minutes
Streaming on: Netflix
Have you ever wondered how it feels like to get a normal life disrupted by chaos that you wouldn’t have imagined in your lifetime? If you can’t, this movie will blow you off your wits and take you through a journey you couldn’t have anticipated. This story is about a young girl named Loung who is five years old and living a normal life in the city of Phnom Penh. When her world turns upside down as a war has just begun which is too humungous for her little mind to absorb. A movement began in the Khmer Republic(present Cambodia) as a repercussion of an ongoing war in neighboring Vietnam in 1975. US Army has decided to pull out of Cambodia after creating a mess that will lead to disastrous consequences. And this will result in tensions brewing up in Cambodia leading to a civil war. A so-called revolutionary movement began under a militant group named Khmer Rogue. This newly formed group takes over the army and the entire city of Phnom Penh under its control. The family of Pa was not an exception to this. He along with his wife and seven children are forced to leave the home along with their estate, car, and wealth. They all begin their journey unbeknownst to the fact that what the future has in store for them. They don’t even have the slightest clue as to what they are being dragged into.
The movie’s plot has a singular approach of progression where the movie seems like a journey which we see through Loung’s eyes. Breathtaking visuals and the perfect portrayal of conditions prevailing at that period make up for the whole movie. Which is also the strongest point of the movie. The plot successfully creates an aura of despair and helplessness in the minds of the viewers. This movie can make the audience empathize with the characters and the excruciating pain children suffer while being separated from their families. Excellent cinematography and commendable performances make this movie a must-watch. Angelina Jolie has proved her mettle as a debutant director and has crafted the journey meticulously well. The screenplay is concisely written with no irrelevant parts shown that would count as a diversion from the main theme.
The most remarkable thing about this movie is the performance of Sareum Srey Moch. Little to no dialogue but could shake the audience with amicable expressions that suited the conditions. Complete justice had been done to the role. This plot can make the audience feel a wide range of emotions that get you overwhelmed. Emoting complex emotions through facial expressions is an art very few master.
FTKMF exposes the dark side of the atrocities committed by the so-called radical organizations under the name of revolution. These people are nothing but a stain on mankind. This movie explains this phenomenon in detail. Ideologies like “rich exploits poor” and driving an agenda under the pretext of nationalism can turn palaces into ruins. FTKMF captures this theme perfectly. We have such nations where this kind of ideology prevails and is nothing but a huge mess. They always act as a barrier and are detrimental to the growth and development of society.
FTKMF is a must-watch for everyone who is and history enthusiast and who fancies knowing about atrocities that happened in the history of mankind. Some scenes in the movie might be disturbing to watch for those who have a certain aversion to violent movies. A couple of war scenes that have been shot beautifully are the only scenes where violence can be witnessed.
Moviesamrat Rating: 4/5