Meta House’s this week’s program focuses on Muslims in Afghanistan (Tuesday, 7PM & Friday, 8PM) and Muslims in Cambodia between traditions and modernity.

On Wednesday, 7PM, Khmer Mekong Films’ CEO Matthew Robinson will present his newest drama series Airwaves, which aims to discourage the radicalization of young Cambodian Muslims.

On Thursday we invite you to a film night dedicated to Cambodian hill tribes in Mondulkiri and Rattanakiri and their stuggle for preserving their cultures within a more and more globalized Cambodia.

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TUE, 07/09
Afghanistan today: The Wakhan Corridor And “In This World”
7PM: Anthony Sims is working in North-east Afghanistan, where he oversees a project for the NGO “ Wildlife Conservation Society” in the Wakhan Corridor. This is one of the few peaceful parts of Afghanistan with a very spectacular landscape. The local people have a rich culture; the area is steeped in history. A short documentary and presentation of Sim’s work is followed by the film IN THIS WORLD (2002, 88mins). Star director Michael Winterbottom follows two young Afghan refugees, as they leave a refugee camp in Pakistan for a better life in London. The remarkable film is shot in a documentary style but it is in fact a drama performed by amateur actors.

WED, 08/09
Khmer Mekong Films present the new TV drama “Airwaves”
7PM: Set in a radio station from which the action spills into surrounding Phnom Penh, Cambodia’s latest TV drama blends humour, action, love and pathos. The 52-episode series is currently playing twice-weekly to record audiences on CTN, Cambodia’s most popular TV channel. Its central theme is to encourage harmonious and peaceful relations between the majority and minority Cambodian communities of Khmers and Chams. In particular, it aims to discourage the radicalisation of young Muslims who may be so tempted by international recruiters. AirWaves’ creator Matthew Robinson presents relevant extracts, followed by a discussion about the programme themes.

THUR, 09/09
The ethnic minorities of Cambodia: films From The Jungle
7PM: Cambodia, in contrast to its SE Asian neighbors, has a fairly homogeneous population. Ninety percent of its 14 million people are ethnic Khmers. The remaining population consists of more than twenty distinct ethnic groups, most of which are small indigenous people groups, known collectively as “Highland Khmer”, living in isolated mountain areas. Samre, Phnong, Stieng, Kuy, Krung, Tampuan, Rhade and Jarai form the majority in the sparsely populated provinces of Ratanakiri, Stung Treng, and Mondulkiri. Tonite we will present a variety of films from these provinces, including remarkable community-based video productions such as FOREST IS OUR LIFE.

FRI, 10/09
Two events: classical music & music doc film ”Afghan Star”
7PM: Ignace Joseph Pleyel (1757–1831) was an Austrian-born French composer and a pioneer of the Classical period. Works by Pleyel, Mozart and Haydn are performed by Chea Bun Hong (clarinet), Steven Retallick (violoncello) and Anton Isselhardt (flute). Tickets sell for USD 5. At 8PM we invite you to the free screening of the documentary “AFGHAN STAR” (87min, 2009). After the end of Taliban rule, modern TV has come to Afghanistan. Millions of people watch the TV series ‘Afghan Star’ and vote from their cell phone for their favourite singers. For many this is their first encounter with democracy. Havana Marking follows the stories of four contestants…

SAT, 11/09
Sovannna Phum: new shadow puppet theatre at meta house
7PM: Sovanna Phum, Cambodia’s only independent theatre, presents “Small Shadow Puppet Theatre”. Originated from Java in the Angkor period, this art form was a popular entertainment until 1970. Most of the artists died during the KR period. The puppets made of leather, can move their arms and legs, and the mouth can be opened. To perform, a large white screen is spread in a bamboo frame. The puppeteer is an all-round artist: singer, dancer, actor and sometimes narrator. In the framework of the French Cultural Center’s “Lakhaon” festival you can enjoy two adaptions of fables by French writer Jean de la Fontaine: THE YOUNG WIDOW and THE DONKEY AND DOG.

SUN, 12/09
“Same Same But Different”: an unique Khmer-German love story
7PM: This new German feature film (2009, 107min) is based on a memoir by journalist Benjamin Pruefer, who fell in love with a Khmer bar girl. Both are little more than kids in appearance but their characters in real life face tremendous problems when Ben returns to Hamburg and Sreykeo discovers she is HIV-positive. Moreover Ben discovers a world where not everyone is dealt the same cards and where motivations are not always pure. The film is screened in Khmer version with English subtitles only at Meta House. Moreover we show the trailer, which documents the Cambodian premiere screening at Cinema Lux as well as the “making-of”, shot by Marc Eberle.

Where: Meta House Phnom Penh, German Cambodian Cultural Center, #37 Sothearos Blvd.
Info Line: 010 – 312 333