All Projects

Diamond Island

Spring Grants 2016

Davy Chou / Feature Narrative / Cambodia, France, Germany, Thailand, Qatar / 2016 / 105 min / Original Language: Khmer / Interests: Drama

Synopsis

Diamond Island is a symbol of Cambodia’s future, a sprawling, ultra-modern paradise for the rich on the river in Phnom Penh. Like many other country boys, 18-year-old Bora is lured from his village to work on the construction of this property developers’ dream. There, he forges new friendships and is even reunited with his charismatic older brother Solei, who disappeared five years ago. Solei introduces Bora to the exciting world of Cambodia’s privileged urban youth, with its girls, its nightlife and its illusions.

Credits

Director

Davy Chou

Screenwriter

Davy Chou, Claire Maugendre

Producer

Davy Chou, Charlotte Vincent, Olivier Pere, Henneke Van Der Tas, Kavich Neang

Production Company

Aurora Films

About the Director

Davy Chou is a French director and producer born in 1983, based between Paris and Phnom Penh. He co-founded the French production company Vycky Films and the Cambodian production company Anti-Archive. Grandson of Cambodian producer Van Chann, Davy Chou directed in 2011 'Golden Slumbers' (Berlin 2012), a documentary about the birth of Cambodian cinema in the 1960s and its brutal destruction by the Khmer Rouge in 1975. He has also directed several short films, including 'Cambodia 2099' (Directors' Fortnight - Cannes 2014). His first feature, 'Diamond Island' was awarded the SACD Prize at Critics’ Week – Cannes 2016. His second feature, 'Return to Seoul' was selected at Un Certain Regard – Cannes 2022. In parallel, Davy Chou continues his activity as a producer: he has recently produced Cambodian filmmakers, including Kavich Neang ('White Building' – Venice 2021) and was also line producer on 'Onoda: 10,000 Nights in the Jungle' by Arthur Harari (Un Certain Regard – Cannes 2021).

Awards and Festival History

Festivals

"Busan International Film Festival 2016, A Window on Asian Cinema
Melbourne International Film Festival 2016, Accent on Asia
Filmfest Munchen 2016, International Independents Competition
Milano Film Festival 2016, Feature Film Competition
Festival Interna

Awards

"SACD Prize, Cannes Film Festival 2016, Semaine de la Critique (WP)
Grand Prix and Jean Vigo Mention, Festival du Film de Cabourg Film Festival 2016, Feature-Length Competition"

Contacts

• Main Contact

  Charlotte Vincent

  Company: 

  Aurora Films

  Phone: 

  +33 1 47 70 43 01

  Email: 

  contact@aurorafilms.fr

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