The Missing Picture (2013)

Rithy Panh uses clay figures, archival footage, and his narration to recreate the atrocities Cambodia's Khmer Rouge committed between 1975 and 1979.

Director:

Rithy Panh

Writers:

Rithy Panh, Christophe Bataille (commentary)

Stars:

Randal Douc, Jean-Baptiste Phou

Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 12 wins & 15 nominations.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Randal Douc	...	Narrator (voice)
Jean-Baptiste Phou	...	Narrator (voice)

Storyline

Rithy Panh uses clay figures, archival footage, and his narration to recreate the atrocities Cambodia's Khmer Rouge committed between 1975 and 1979.

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Plot Keywords:

khmer rouge | cambodia | autobiographical | massacre survivor | massacre | 

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Taglines:

Winner of Un Certain Regard at Cannes

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Genres:

Documentary

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Did You Know?

Trivia

The lowest grossing film in Australia in 2014. It only made approximately $3,500.

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Quotes

[from trailer]
Narrator: For many years, I have been looking for the missing picture: a photograph taken between 1975 and 1979 by the Khmer Rouge when they ruled over Cambodia... On its own, of course, an image cannot prove mass murder, but it gives us cause for thought, prompts us to meditate, to record History. I searched for it vainly in the archives, in old papers, in the country villages of Cambodia. Today I know: this image must be missing. I was not really looking for it; would it not be obscene ...

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Connections

Featured in The Oscars (2014)

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Soundtracks

Pel aun kleat tov
by Sinn Sisamouth

User Reviews

Where pictures are missing

"A picture can be stolen - a thought cannot" states the narrator of this documentary about the atrocities committed by Khmer Rouge in late 1970s Cambodia. While not actually narrated by him for reasons unknown, the script for the film is written by director Rithy Panh, a survivor of the atrocities, in an usual touch, Panh uses clay figures to depict incidents he experienced but for which no archive footage exists. Going back to that earlier quote, the film stands up as a testament of the human mind to recall personal horrors in great detail as one's thoughts can never be stolen. The clay figures are remarkably detailed and especially effective in a moment when Panh recalls drinking muddied water while watched by seemingly stunned local herds. Unique as the film may be though, it outstays its welcome long before it is over. The narration is extremely repetitive and as the film keeps focusing on emotions that its director personally felt, it crosses the border into maudlin territory while ultimately becoming less a document of the times and more the faded memories of a single man. The film is very deliberately paced too so one really needs to be in the right mood to appreciate it. The clay work is, however, never less than remarkable and as the film takes time to focus on Panh also creating all the models, sculpting then painting them, it is hard not to admire the care and consideration put into them. This was clearly a very personal film for Panh and the fact that the film makes one want to read up more about the Khmer Rouge horrors certainly says something.

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook Official site [Japan]

Country:

Cambodia France

Language:

French

Release Date:

19 March 2014 (USA)

Also Known As:

La imagen perdida

Filming Locations:

Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, Phnom Penh, Cambodia

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$10,148, 23 March 2014

Gross USA:

$52,164

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$78,069

Company Credits

Production Co:

Catherine Dussart Productions (CDP), ARTE, Bophana Production

Technical Specs

Runtime:

92 min

Color:

Color Black and White (archive footage) Color (archive footage)

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1 / (high definition)