Cambodian movies: Jailbreak

Top rate action, amazing direction – a Euro/Khmer production that highlights the power of Khmer martial arts.

Movie making in Cambodia had its heyday in the 1960s when local film makers cranked out love stories, legends and ghost tales, as well as comedies.  All that was nearly wiped out during the Pol Pot years.  But after a wave of movies dealing with the horror of the Pol Pot years, a young generation of movie-makers is connecting with other people relatively new to movie-making, and the results are spectacular.

For those who like action the 2017 movie, Jailbreak is astounding.  It is a simple story that portrays a team of Special Task Force Officers who have been tasked with getting a gang leader out of prison and delivered to witness protection after he turns snitch. But the gang headed by The Madame (Celine Tran) has other plans, and soon, following her orders, a riot ensues in the jail leaving the Special Task Force officers trapped in the prison and fending for themselves.

Jailbreak is a  a no-frills film and the set is used and reused to denote different locations – so the feeling is a little claustrophobic – but that doesn’t matter. In showcasing the Khmer fighting style of bokator the viewer will be pummeled and amazed much as they were with the Thai hit Ong-Bak.  No CGI here – these fights are the real deal. The camera puts you right in the middle of the action.

Director Jimmy Henderson has put together a sharp, explosive entry that the Cambodian film industry can be proud of.

Link to trailer of Jailbreak

One of my favourite Cambodian bloggers Santel Phin listed his 10 recommended movies for those new to Cambodia.