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Don't Think I've Forgotten: Cambodia's Lost Rock and Roll

Category |History, Music, Politics
Year | 2014
Country | USA
Running time | 107’
Format | HD/DCP
Production | DTIF Cambodia LLC
Director | John Pirozzi


During the 60's and early 70's, as the war in Vietnam threatened its borders, a new music scene emerged in Cambodia that took Western rock and roll and stood it on its head - creating a sound like no other. Cambodian musicians crafted this sound from the various rock music styles sweeping across America and England, adding the unique melodies and hypnotic rhythms of their traditional music. The beautiful singing of the renowned female vocalists became the final touch that made this mix so enticing.

As the peasant Khmer Rouge army closed in on the capital city of Phnom Penh, Cambodian rock and rollers played at rooftop parties while bombs ignited the evening sky. After taking over the country on April 17, 1975, the Khmer Rouge began one of the most brutal genocides in history, killing 2 million people - 1/4 of the Cambodian population. Intellectuals, artists and musicians were murdered simply for their status. Only a few miraculously survived to tell their story.

This documentary film, DON’T THINK I’VE FORGOTTEN, provides a new perspective on a country usually associated with war and genocide. By celebrating this powerful music, and the people who created it, Cambodia's musical heyday emerges from the shadows of tragedy into the light of history.

ABOUT THE DIRECTOR : JOHN PIROZZI

FILM WEBSITE : http://www.dtifcambodia.com/

REVIEWS :
- THE NEW YORK TIMES
- Twitchfilm



PRESS IMAGES: (click to preview)

                           

TRAILER :



JOHN PIROZZI


As a director John Pirozzi’s previous documentary film, SLEEPWALKING THROUGH THE MEKONG, chronicled the California based band Dengue Fever’s first trip to Cambodia. He has also directed music videos for Queens of the Stone Age, Calexico, Vic Chesnutt and Victoria Williams.

As cinematographer he has shot numerous documentaries including Xan Cassavetes critically acclaimed Z Channel: A Magnificent Obsession, Radio Unnameable, about free form radio pioneer Bob Fass and Bling: A Planet Rock which details the blood diamond trade in Sierra Leone through the eyes of Hip Hop artists.

He also shot the closing number of I’m Your Man which was a musical performance by Leonard Cohen and U2.

As 2nd unit DP and camera operator John has worked on film’s such as Matt Dillon’s City of Ghosts and Patti Smith’s Dream of Life.

He has done much 2nd unit work for the CBS show Person of Interest and is currently working on a new show for NBC titled Allegiance.