Independent animated feature The Khmer Smile (Le Sourire Khmer), which began work in 2019 before production was stymied by the COVID-19 pandemic, has launched a crowdfunding campaign on Kickstarter to complete 60 minutes of 2D animation. Billed as a “a road-movie full of humor, poetry and adventure,” the film is based on the experiences of writer-director Fabrice Beau.
Aimed at audiences of all ages, The Khmer Smile follows Fabrice, a man who was born in Cambodia and adopted in France at an early age. The movie unfolds as Fabrice returns to Cambodia 36 years later, alternating between dream and reality as he embarks on an emotional journey to reconnect with the country of his birth. The movie highlights themes of the search for identity and the impact of international adoption.
The film was originally budgeted at 1.15 million euros, with a business model that would support economic development in Cambodia. Production is being carried out by two studios in France; Animalps Productions (Annecy) and Luchafilms (Chambéry); and by Phare Performing Social Enterprise (Siem Reap), a for-profit organization focused on providing gainful employment opportunities for Cambodian artists, whose profits go to support its Phare Ponleu Selpak NGO Schools’ free education program.
The Kickstarter campaign for The Khmer Smile is now live. The producers are working towards final delivery by the end of 2025.
