Introduction
Acclaimed Cambodian director Rithy Panh, known for The Missing Picture (2013), returns with We Are the Fruits of the Forest, a lyrical documentary spotlighting the Chong people—an indigenous group in Cambodia’s Cardamom Mountains. Premiering at the 2024 Berlin Film Festival, the film blends stunning visuals with urgent socio-political commentary, offering a meditation on cultural survival and ecological destruction.
A Lyrical Ode to the Chong People
The Chong, whose name means Fruits of the Forest, have thrived in harmony with Cambodia’s wilderness for centuries. Panh’s documentary avoids conventional storytelling, instead weaving a sensory tapestry of the Chong’s daily life. Lush cinematography captures elders weaving baskets, children playing by waterfalls, and shamans conducting rituals—each scene reinforcing their deep bond with nature.
The Silent Struggle Against Erasure
Beneath its serene imagery, the film confronts the Chong’s existential threats: deforestation, land grabs, and industrialization. Panh subtly contrasts idyllic forest life with encroaching bulldozers, emphasizing the fragility of indigenous existence. Oral histories from Chong elders—speaking of desecrated graves and vanishing wildlife—anchor the film in both cultural pride and lament.
Memory as Resistance: Panh’s Signature Style
A survivor of the Khmer Rouge genocide, Panh often explores trauma and collective memory. Here, he extends that lens to ecological loss, framing Chong traditions—like medicinal plant knowledge—as vital, living resistance. Recurring motifs, such as plastic debris amid traditional tools, underscore the clash between modernity and heritage.
A Call to Listen and Act
Unlike exploitative documentaries, Panh’s work centers the Chong as active narrators, not victims. Their wisdom, often dismissed as primitive, offers solutions to global crises like climate change. The film leaves viewers with sorrow for irreversible losses—and hope that their voices might inspire change.
Final Verdict: A Masterpiece of Socio-Environmental Storytelling
We Are the Fruits of the Forest solidifies Panh’s reputation as a visionary filmmaker. With breathtaking visuals and profound themes, it’s essential viewing for those who value cinema as both art and activism.
Rating: 4.5/5
Now streaming on select platforms.
