City of Ghosts Location Tour

Sereyvuth Kem (left) and Matt Dillon, promoting City of Ghosts in the States

The June newsletter of FilmCambodia.org landed in my inbasket today and highlights an unusual forthcoming event, which you can experience in Phnom Penh on Sunday 29 July. If you're a film fan this will be right up your street, as Mr Sok, one of the stars of the 2002 film City of Ghosts (starring Matt Dillon and James Caan) will guide you through the streets of Phnom Penh to visit seven locations throughout the city. In real life, Mr Sok is Sereyvuth Kem, who was a moto-driver picked out by Dillon to play a central role in the Hollywood actor's directorial debut, shot in various locations in Cambodia. The seven locations include the Belleville Hotel, Laughing Lotus exterior, Sophie's apartment, Kasper's Hotel (where the Russian mafia torture his ladyboy girlfriend), Mr Sok's home, Wat (blessing for dead boyfriend), Wat (Jimmy left by Mr Sok for medical care). The tour will begin at noon and last for two hours, the cost is $5 and there will be a chance to meet cast and crew at the Belleville Bar at the end of the tour, with a screening of the film at the Jungle Bar to follow. Its a unique opportunity to experience a slice of Cambodian film history so contact Miriam Arthur to book your place, with plans afoot to expand the tour to include an overnight trip to Bokor Casino, a day trip to Phnom Chisor and one to Oudong.
Links: Sereyvuth Kem, FilmCambodia