Bangsokol: A Requiem for Cambodia is making its Canadian premiere—following performances in Melbourne, New York, Boston, Paris, and Phnom Penh—to mark the 50th anniversary of the start of the Cambodian genocide.
Created by world-renowned director Rithy Panh and composer Him Sophy, this work is intended as a tribute to Cambodia’s resurgent culture. Combining a symphonic composition with traditional Khmer music and a chamber orchestra, the show evokes the tragedy of the genocide perpetrated by the Khmer Rouge while celebrating the resistance of the Cambodian people.
Conceived of as an immersive ritual, the event invites the audience to undergo an experience that is both solemn and light, in which images, music, voices, and movements are brought together. The work offers a poignant reflection on war and human resilience, while honoring the cultural richness of Cambodia.
