Between 1975 and 1979 an entire generation of Cambodian artists and intellectuals were decimated by the Khmer Rouge regime.  In the years since, a growing community has emerged, bringing new expression to a culture devastated by unimaginable events.

Wandering Souls follows the mounting of a new stage production, Bangsokol: A Requiem for Cambodia, created in memory of the two million Cambodians who died, culminating in its premiere international performance in Melbourne in 2017.

Commissioned by the not-for-profit organization, Cambodian Living Arts, the Requiem is a first-time collaboration between Oscar nominated, film director and winner of Un Certain Regard, Rithy Panh and Cambodia’s premier composer, Dr. Him Sophy. Both are childhood survivors of Pol Pot, as are five of the eight traditional Cambodian musicians.   Alongside the staging of the production, this film tells first-hand survival stories of those involved in the creation of this major work and of the powerful will of Cambodians to reclaim an artistic heritage that disappeared during the four years of Khmer Rouge terror. With a libretto based on Bangsokol, the Khmer Buddhist ritual that brings peace to the dead, Him Sophy’s score is a unique combination of traditional Khmer instruments and vocalists, together with Western chamber music and chorus.

As the world premiere dateline approaches an international team of arts professionals, work tirelessly alongside the Cambodians to pull the challenging stage production together.