FREEDOM DEAL: The Story of Lucky
May 4, 1970 – Cambodia. During the 1970 US-Vietnam conflict, a combined US & Army of South Vietnam military operation enters Cambodia to locate and destroy North Vietnamese and Viet Cong sanctuaries. A kid named Lucky and an ornery but likable wedding musician make their way through the conflict – encountering landmines, surreal Cambodian ghosts known as ‘Arbs’, and marauding helicopters as they go.
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J "Jack RO" RosetteDirectorLost in New Mexico (www.lostinnewmexico.com), BookWars (www.bookwarsmovie.com)
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J "Jack RO" RosetteWriter
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Alec CeschiProducer
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Khuon Darith...LUCKYKey Cast
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Polynn Sok...The MusicianKey Cast
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Ran Lun...The Ghostly ARBKey Cast
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Project Type:Short
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Genres:supernatural, drama, fiction, social issue, coming of age, military, historical, horror
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Runtime:24 minutes 48 seconds
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Completion Date:March 13, 2013
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Country of Origin:Cambodia
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Country of Filming:Cambodia
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Language:Central Khmer
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Aspect Ratio:16:9
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Film Color:Color
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First-time Filmmaker:No
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Student Project:No
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San Antonio Film FestivalSan Antonio, USA
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New Filmmakers, New York CityNew York, NY
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Electric Lantern Motion Picture FestivalUK
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Military and HIstorical Film FestivalPoland
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New Zero ScreeningYangon, Myanmar
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A Film for Peace Film FestivalITALY
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MISCON Sci Fi, Horror, Fantasy Fest 2014Montana, USA
May 23, 2014 -
1970: Music and TurmoilSan Francisco, CA
July 11, 2014
West Coast USA Sneak Preview -
Southwest Cultural Center, New Mexico USA
August 24, 2014
Southwestern USA Premiere -
FINALIST - Highway 61 Film FestivalMinnesota, USA
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Overlook 2014-5th CinemAvvenire Film FestivalRoma, Italy
December 9, 2014
Please see http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0742891/
We all hope that you will consider our movie FREEDOM DEAL: Story of Lucky from a populist, Cambodian perspective as well as a critical, international one; as can be seen in the analytics below, the movie is genuinely very well received among local SE Asian audiences, especially youth.
However, a recent US based Academic reviewer appear to have taken issue with the introduction of the Cambodian folkloric being, the 'Arb' in our movie, perhaps not really realizing that this is a long standing (especially rural) folkloric component of the SE Asia region.
Indeed, a similar being called a 'Krasue' appears in Thai culture, and elsewhere in the region.
While the recent US library & academic reviewer considered this folkloric element to be 'Grotesque' and objectionable, many other international viewers - and of course, local SE Asian audiences - appreciate this supernatural element without reading into it beyond the traditional cultural level.
Along these lines, kindly note that the 'Arb' is and always has been, a female being in Cambodian folklore (just as the headless horseman is always a male being in American folklore). The inclusion of the Arb is not meant to diminish or make any complex statement about the role of women in any context in Asian society or elsewhere...she is simply a folkloric being.
If it makes any difference, please note that contrary to the typical 'Arb' appearing in most Cambodian films - typically depicted as a non-sentient creature - our team provided the 'Arb' in 'Freedom Deal' with a definite and superior intellect, including an ability to communicate in a very facile and advanced way as she taunts the protagonists of the movie.
Even so, if this appears to be 'Grotesque' or objectionable as articulated by the library media reviewer, above, please note this is not the intention of the authors of the movie.
Seprately: I thought you all may find the data below interesting; these are the analytics reflecting viewer preferences for our movie, FREEDOM DEAL: Story of Lucky, submitted for your consideration at the event in March:
http://cameradomoviesandmedia.blogspot.com/2014/12/freedom-deal-story-of-lucky-movie-is.html
Anyway, thanks again for the books and have a great event however things work out -
All the Best
J Rosette aka Jack RO