3 Years, 8 Months, 20 Days and Breaking the Silence

Two plays based on testimony from survivors and perpetrators of the Khmer Rouge Regime, directed by renowned Dutch director Annemarie Prins.  After thirty years, the former Khmer Rouge leaders are finally being brought to justice and the need for dialogue is urgent. Cambodians observe the trial proceedings with combined skepticism and hope, and wait with great anticipation the opportunity to go on with their lives. The plays have proven to be very timely and important contributions towards the aims of reconciliation. Cambodia is thirsty for the power of imagination - the healing effect which only works of art can provide. 

Khmeropédies: Khmer / French choreographer Emmanuèle Phuon has created a work based on the master / disciple relationship, incorporating elements of classical court dance as taught by the master, with contemporary movements as imagined by her young students; exploring how and where the two worlds meet.  The work is accompanied by a range of music from traditional Cambodian court music to Yves Montand, Einsturzende Neubauten and Cambodian hip hop. 

Sovannahong represents a new phase in the process of revival and preservation by completing a classical work that was only begun before the war, as opposed to reviving a previously finished work.  This complete work of classical court dance was choreographed by HRH Princess Buppha Devi for whom the lead role was originally created by Queen Kossomak in 1955.

Revitalizing Monkeys and Giants was one of our first attempts at contemporary dance created in collaboration with Thai choreographer Pichet Klunchun. Six Khaol (classical male masked dance) dancers explore their ancient form without the benefit of their masks and elaborate costumes to create a work that is deeply provocative and intimate.

Transmission of the Invisible choreographed by Peter Chin and produced by Tribal Crackling Wind in collaboration with Amrita Performing Arts is a work that explores the ‘unseen’ elements of the precarious process of revival and preservation.  An intricately woven and profound work; the result of four years of extensive research and exploration.

The work premiered in Toronto in January 2008 and had its Asian premiere in Phnom Penh on October 24 2009 with subsequent performances at the Esplanade Studio Theater in Singapore on October 31 and November 1 2009.

JCDN: On September 1 2009 we premiered our first collaborative effort with the Japan Contemporary Dance Network under their program “We’re Gonna Go Dancing!!”. The work in progress, featuring eight of our dancers, was choreographed by Takiko Iwabochi.