“Deacon of Death”

(2004), 65 min., Documentary

Directed by Jan van den Berg; Photography: Brigitte Hillenius, additional photography Jan van den Berg; Sound: Pim Verdonk, additional sound: Yos Vong Dara, Max Frick, Han Otten; Editing: Srdjan Fink, Babbe deThouars, Pim Verdonk, Luce van de Weg; Sound editing: Bart Jilesen Soundpalette; Script: Marina Alings, Jan van den Berg, Willem van de Put; Music advice: Paul Oomens; Dancing teacher Vuth Chan Moly; Dance: Ouk Somaly; Translations: Ouch Sovanna,Willem van de Put, Liesbeth Blankhart, Peter van Oers; Titles: Guido van Eekelen; Color: correction Hans Buitink; Producers: Chan Theary, Loran Kuijpers, Nathalie Nijkamp; Commissioning editor: Babeth M. van Loo ; Produced by DRS films, Netherlands

A Cambodian woman confronts the man whom she holds responsible for the death of her family and other villagers under Cambodia's Khmer Rouge regime when she was a child. The atrocities Sok Chea witnessed as a child during the rule of Pol Pot continue to haunt to this day, nearly thirty years later.

So she is shocked when she suddenly comes across the man who was in charge of her prison and whom she holds responsible for murdering most of her family. Once again he holds a prominent position, this time as Deacon of Death or leader of cremation ceremonies.

She decides to collect evidence against him. He must stand trial. But can she succeed in a country still ruled by fear, where justice is virtually non-existent and corruption endemic? Besides which, Cambodians believe in karma and forgiveness. Wrongdoers are punished after their death anyway and will suffer for many lives to come. Sok Chea’s quest leads her to a confrontation with Karoby, in the same pagoda where the atrocities occurred.