PHNOM PENH: The Cambodian International Film Festival (CIFF) held a special gala event at the Chaktomuk Theater on Sunday, 26 March 2023, for the premiere of the documentary, ‘The Perfect Motion’. The premiere was attended by hundreds of distinguished guests, including the main guest of honor, King Norodom Sihamoni.

At Sunday's premiere, 'The Perfect Motion’, by French director Xavier de Lauzanne, received a standing ovation from the King and a full house theater. The documentary follows the creation of a royal ballet production called ‘Metamorphosis’, directed by Princess Buppha Devi, while also detailing the history of the Royal Ballet of Cambodia since 1906.

The Minister of Culture and Fine Arts, Phoeurng Sackona, shared that she felt very proud to see this film put a spotlight on the art of the Royal Cambodian Ballet, and added that she was honored to attend this premiere in the presence of the King.

“I'm so happy because… the film shows the long history of Cambodia that you can see [preserved at Angkor temples], the dance of the Khmer Empire," she said. "This [history has been captured] until now for the young Cambodian generation [to learn about]. The film shows how the history of the dancers passed through a time of brightness, and a time of darkness…."

"At the same time, I'm so happy and honored to be here because the premiere is presided over by our King," added Minister Phoeurng Sackona. "It is a great honor for Cambodian people, we are so happy to see [the King] come today for the premiere. I hope that after the premiere, our Cambodian people and friends overseas can watch the film.”

Princess Jenna Norodom also shared that she was very happy to see this documentary detail the history of this traditional Cambodian dance form.

“After watching this movie, I feel very thrilled because the main part of this movie talks about the history of our traditional Khmer dance, basically the history of our culture and our country," she said.

Acclaimed film director, Rithy Panh, said that he thought the documentary was great because it not only showed the history of the royal ballet, but also gave a sense of Cambodia’s history before and after the Khmer Rouge. He added that he believes this documentary will help show the new generation of Cambodians where they come from.

“It's a great, great film because it shows us [the time] before the Khmer Rouge, [during] an era of splendor and peace, to [during] the war with Lon Nol and the Khmer Rouge, [how] most of the artists were [killed], and how [after the war, the people] fought little by little to build up the future, their identities, and their dance," said Rithy Panh. "It's a really interesting film, [especially] for the new generation of [Cambodians]... to show them where we come from and how strong our future is.”

French Ambassador, Jacques Pellet, also shared that he felt proud that a French filmmaker had chosen to make a documentary on this very special subject.

“It was an amazing documentary, I'm very proud that a French filmmaker picked up this subject," said Ambassador Pellet. "It is very interesting because it's [shows the] long history [of the royal ballet]... it starts when the ballet was performed outside the palace for the first time, at the Royal Palace in France in 1906. It's a long history with ups and downs..."

‘The Perfect Motion’ will release in cinemas nationwide this Saturday, 1 April.

The Cambodian International Film Festival will also be organizing a few events from 29 March to 1 April under the banner, ‘CIFF Sprouts’, which festival director, Cedric Eloy, has said acts as an “appetizer” for the full festival to be held later this year from 30 May to 4 June.