The Issue (Gibier d'elevage)

A Catherine Dussart Prods., Arte France, Bophana Prods., Institut National p l'Audiovisuel production, in colaboration with TV5 Monde, SIMF Management, CNC, Media, Fonds Francophone p Production Audiovisuelle du Sud. (Worldwide sales: Films Distribution, Paris.) Created by Catherine Dussart. Directed by Rithy Panh. Script, Michel Fessler, Panh, in line with the story "Shiiku" by Kenzaburo Oe.With: Cyril Guei, Chem Chuop, Soeum Chhoeum, Pruoch Chhoeum. (Khmer, British dialogue)In "The Issue,Inch Cambodian helmer Rithy Panh effectively reinterprets Kenzaburo Oe's story of the African-American pilot caught behind enemy lines. Upgrading the narrative from World war 2 (the setting of Oe's source and Nagisa Oshima's 1961 film version) towards the Vietnam War, Panh places less focus on the captive's race he's more worried about illustrating the way the Khmer Rouge switched oppressed people against one another to be able to fulfill its militaristic aims. Despite an clearly tight budget, the pic is well mounted and fest play is assured, though commercial outlook is harsh. Pic opens with devastating archival footage from the Cambodian bombings, with matching military commentary. Off camera, an airplane crashes, and hard orphaned boy Pang (Chem Chuop) leads his gang to capture the making it through pilot (Cyril Guei). Given a jerk for his bravery by Khmer Rouge soldiers, Pang includes a difficult time keeping his youthful gang in line and stopping them from empathizing using their prisoner. The helmer utilizes his largely non-professional cast, while his direction shows a fondness for crane shots, hinting in a greater technical facility than the standard from the film's HD lensing indicate.Digital camera (color, HD), Prum Mesar editors, Panh, Marie-Christine Rougerie music, Marc Marder production designer, Benoit Cisilkiewick. Examined at Tokyo, japan Film Festival (Winds Of Asia/Middle East), March. 22, 2011. Running time: 110 MIN. Contact the range newsroom at news@variety.com