City of Ghosts (2002)

A con man (Dillon) travels to Cambodia (also on the run from law enforcement in the U.S.) to collect his share in an insurance scam, but discovers more than he bargained for...

Director:

Matt Dillon

Writers:

Matt Dillon, Barry Gifford

Stars:

Matt Dillon, James Caan, Natascha McElhone

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Matt Dillon	...	Jimmy
James Caan	...	Marvin
Natascha McElhone	...	Sophie
Gérard Depardieu	...	Emile (as Gerard Depardieu)
Kem Sereyvuth	...	Sok (as Sereyvuth Kem)
Stellan Skarsgård	...	Joseph Kaspar
Rose Byrne	...	Sabrina
Shawn Andrews	...	Robbie
Chalee Sankhavesa	...	Sideth
Christopher Curry	...	Larry Luckman
Rob Campbell	...	Simon (as Robert Campbell)
Bernard Merklen	...	Gerard
Jack Shearer	...	FBI Agent Burden
Kirk Fox	...	FBI Agent Philips
Kyoza	...	Rocky

Storyline

A con man flees to Southeast Asia when an international scam he was involved in goes sour. Suspecting he's been double-crossed by his long-time mentor, he sets off to Cambodia for his promised cut. What he finds there is a mysterious and hostile environment where even the most polished criminal can end up on deadly ground.

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Plot Keywords:

cambodia | con man | insurance | mine field | video tape | 

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Taglines:

When fear is the currency, what is the price of hope.

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Genres:

Crime | Drama | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language and some violence

Details

Official Sites:

United Artists

Country:

USA

Language:

English French Khmer Russian

Release Date:

27 March 2003 (Israel)

Also Known As:

Beneath the Banyan Trees

Filming Locations:

Bangkok, Thailand

Box Office

Budget:

$17,500,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$30,547 (USA) (25 April 2003)

Gross:

$325,491 (USA) (20 June 2003)

Company Credits

Production Co:

United Artists, Mainline Pictures, Banyan Tree

Technical Specs

Runtime:

116 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The buildings where the foggy final showdown takes place are actually part of Bokor Hill Station, a colonial hill resort town built by the French in the 1920s. This site, on a mountain above Kampot in Southern Cambodia, included a church and Grand Bokor Palace, a hotel-casino. They were taken over by the Cambodian monarchs after the French left, and were a Khmer Rouge stronghold against the Vietnamese (the shelling is still visible, there are no windows left intact). Today the buildings are abandoned, crumbling and covered in red moss, but can still be visited.

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Quotes

[repeated line]
Joseph Kaspar: The whole thing stinks.

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Crazy Credits

Thanks to the People of Cambodia.

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Connections

Referenced in Do You Like Hitchcock? (2005)

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Soundtracks

"Have You Seen My Love?"
Performed by Meng Bopha
Produced by Joseph L. Altruda (as Joey Altruda)

User Reviews

Holiday in Cambodia

Matt Dillon makes his directorial debut with "City of Ghosts", the moody tale of Jimmy Cremmins, a con man seeking redemption in Cambodia. Dillon's was the first film to be shot in Cambodia since the 1960s, and the unfamiliar setting contributes much to the movie's allure. "City of Ghosts" has a remarkable look and feel that lend it resonance and lead one to anticipate Dillon's further outings as a director.

The actors fit nicely into their roles and deliver strong performances. Sereyvuth Kem, a real-life Cambodian cyclo driver, leaves a lasting impression as Jimmy's loyal friend Sok. The film's soundtrack- a heady international collection of pop music mixed with Tyler Bates' evocative score - adds another layer to the already-rich atmosphere. Stick around during the end credits for some of the best exit music in recent memory.