In Remembrance of a Slain Hero, CHEA Vichea

In Remembrance of a Slain Hero, CHEA Vichea

A tribute to my friend assassinated 7 years ago this January 22 for his courage and his advocacy of democracy and labor rights.

We will never forget you.

WHO KILLED CHEA VICHEA?

1. Screening at the University of Michigan, 14 January 2011

A film clip of Born Samnang accused by the Cambodian government of killing Chea Vichea, here paraded before the press corps by the Cambodian police.

Dr. Allen Hicken (director of University of Michigan’s Center for Southeast Asian Studies) introduces the panelists after the screening of Who Killed Chea Vichea?: Theary C. Seng, Prof. Nick Rine, Prof. John Ciorciari

Theary C. Seng, Prof. Nick Rine (Univ. Mich. Law School), Prof. John Ciorciari (Univ. Mich. School of Public Policy) discussing the film and the current state of human rights and democracy in Cambodia.

Dr. Allen Hicken, Theary C. Seng, Dr. Dorasy Paul (a friend from Theary’s law school years who received her Ph.D. in anthropology at Univ. of Michigan), Kate Wright (program manager at Center for Southeast Asian Studies) after the screening of Who Killed Chea Vichea?

2. Private screening in Manhattan, March 2010

Theary Seng with director Bradley Cox of "Who Killed Chea Vichea?" at Matt's Grill after a private screening of this brilliant labor of love!! New York City, 25 March 2010.

Thursday, 25 March 2010 A.M.

I am very much looking forward to the private screening with director Bradley Cox later this afternoon here in Manhattan.

This is a very brave film about a very brave person in a very brave movement by a very brave director and very brave producer!

I was honored to count Chea Vichea a good friend since 1995 upon my first return to Cambodia. We continued working (more accurately, 'volunteering') together as the labor movement took roots in 1997 with the mushrooming of the garment factories as a result of President Clinton's bestowing Most Favored Nation status to Cambodia.

In January 2004, I remember nonchalantly asking the driver of the law firm tasked to pick me up from the airport, "So, what's new here?"

"They killed Chea Vichea." I felt like lightning had struck me dead; it was not an answer I expected upon my move back to live in Cambodia. The assassination which occurred in broad daylight at a very busy intersection in the city center took place while I was in the air. My law firm warned me not to participate in any social/political movements, particularly not to take part in the funeral procession; I attended anyway, but stayed on the outskirts of the thousands-strong crowd, left to my own thoughts, floating about and in and out in a daze.

BRAVO! BRAVO! to you, Brad and Rich, for making this film !!

Here I am (middle, back) with Chea Vichea (4^th from right) and other labor rights and democracy activists, including the first leader of the Free Trade Union of the Kingdom of Cambodia (FTUKC), Ms. OU Mary, sitting down (Phnom Penh, 1996).

Chea Vichea, 2^nd from right.

Thursday, March 25 P.M.

I just watched the final version of Who Killed Chea Vichea? - a heart-and-soul, labor of love documentary film about the labor activist who was gunned down in broad daylight; the government wanted to send a message.

I watched this under-60 minute film, slated for PBS in the United States, with its brilliant, passionate, self-less director Bradley Cox at his makeshift office at the prime real estate of Columbus Circle of New York City. He had dedicated 5 years of his life, with absolutely no income, to make this story realized.

It's a brilliant, excellent, high-quality film which will win every award... I would not be surprised!

I had watched Plastic Killers, the in-production version of this very polished, highly professional Who Killed Chea Vichea?, when it was introduced in Cambodia and quickly, effectively confiscated by the police a year or so ago. Whereas Plastic Killers' values lie in the intense, probing, telling detailed information for an audience who already know Cambodia, this Who Killed Chea Vichea? is altogether a different film and strikes the perfect balance of information and context to absorb the general audience who may not know anything about Chea Vichea, or for that matter, Cambodia.