Many Cambodians in this film, some of them women who are somewhat comely.
Dark and gripping, with finely cast actors masterfully selected by producer Perry Stallings, who at the time was earning a dual MBA/MFA in Film Producing at Chapman University. Even though he is a Caucasoid, Mr. Stallings' taste in Cambodian and Cambodian-looking actors is impeccable. Perry helped make this film a reality, and for that, I regard him as an honorary Cambodian.
A fine first effort by Caylee So, who was a film student when she wrote and directed this film. Caylee was born in a refugee camp in Thailand after her parents escaped from the reign of Pol Pot's Khmer Rouge regime in Cambodia. She has had to overcome considerable adversity in order to bring us this work of art.
The film also features the music of praCh ly, an internationally renowned, critically acclaimed, award winning artist. His debut album is the first #1 rap album in Cambodia. Newsweek proclaimed him as "the first Cambodian rap star". I listened to his music in the car recently and could not stop bobbing my head and trying to rap alongside the music despite my inability to speak Cambodian.
After I watched this film, I was impressed by Caylee, Perry, and praCh ly. I also came away determined to teach my son some of my hard-earned lessons at the casino - such as to fold your KJ when facing a nit who raises under-the-gun, to carefully study the recently rolled numbers before placing a bet at the roulette table, and to double when dealt a 10 against a dealer Ace in blackjack when the true count is over five, as crazy as that seems.
