Karmalink
Karmalink | |
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Directed by | Jake Wachtel |
Written by |
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Produced by |
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Starring |
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Cinematography | Robert Leitzell |
Edited by |
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Music by | Ariel Marx |
Production company | Valerie Steinberg Productions |
Distributed by |
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Release date |
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Running time | 102 minutes |
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Karmalink is a 2021
Synopsis
In a near future Phnom Penh, a community is threatened with eviction to make way for a bullet train service to China. The wealthy use nanotechnology to "augment" their experiences. At night, Leng Heng dreams of his previous lives and of a solid gold Buddha, which he is convinced will help prevent his family from being evicted. He and orphan street child Srey Leak begin a search for the Buddha in the hope it will protect their community.
Production
Wachtel, an American, wrote and directed the film after moving to Cambodia in 2014 and working with local students as part of Filmmakers Without Borders. Inspired by Kazuo Ishiguro's novel Never Let Me Go, Wachtel devised a science fiction story set in Phnom Penh in the near future.[3] Two of Wachtel's students, Leng Heng Prak and Srey Leak Chhith, were the inspiration for the main characters. They were later cast in the film to play them. Karmalink is mostly set in the Tralop Bek district of Phnom Penh, where both actors grew up.[2]
The film's themes draw on
During the film's editing, lead actor Leng Heng Prak died. The film is dedicated to his memory.[1]
Release
Karmalink had its world premiere as the opening night film of the 2021 Venice Film Festival's Critics' Week, and it also screened at many other festivals including the Austin Film Festival, Singapore International Film Festival, Santa Fe International Film Festival, Sun Valley Film Festival, and Glasgow Film Festival.[3] The film had a theatrical release in the United States on July 15, 2022, and it was released in Cambodia on February 17, 2023.[4]
Reception
On the
Richard Kuipers gave the film a positive review in
References
- ^ a b c d e Kuipers, Richard (September 2, 2021). "'Karmalink' Review: Past Lives and Future Dreams Collide in the First Sci-Fi Film Made in Cambodia". Variety. Archived from the original on February 28, 2023. Retrieved February 28, 2023.
- ^ a b c d e Ritman, Alex (September 1, 2021). "Venice Hidden Gem: Buddhism and Sci-Fi Converge in Cambodian Mystery 'Karmalink'". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on February 28, 2023. Retrieved February 28, 2023.
- ^ a b c d Merican, Sara. "Cambodian Sci-Fi Film 'Karmalink' Spotlights Displaced Communities And Country's Tech Developments". Forbes. Archived from the original on February 28, 2023. Retrieved February 28, 2023.
- ^ Raksmey, Hong. "Cambodia's first sci-fi film coming soon to cinemas". www.phnompenhpost.com. Archived from the original on February 28, 2023. Retrieved February 28, 2023.
- ^ "Karmalink". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Archived from the original on February 28, 2023. Retrieved February 28, 2023.
- ^ "Karmalink Reviews". Metacritic. Red Ventures. Archived from the original on February 28, 2023. Retrieved February 28, 2023.
- ^ Samara, Nadir (July 12, 2022). "Karmalink Review: Fresh, Beautiful Sci-Fi Blends Time Travel & Spiritualism". ScreenRant. Archived from the original on February 28, 2023. Retrieved February 28, 2023.
- Screen Daily. Archivedfrom the original on September 24, 2022. Retrieved February 28, 2023.