Dancing Through Death (1999)

• 80%
• 1999
• Documentary
• Janet P. Gardner

This is the story of Thavro Phim, who came of age under the Pol Pot regime and lost his father, brother, and grandfather to the blood thirsty Khmer Rouge. What kept him whole after the ordeal was his Buddhist faith and his dedication to Cambodian classical dance where he performs the role of Hanuman, the magical white monkey. Now a Philadelphia-area resident, Thavro travels to the Kingdom of Cambodia, a country still in turmoil, We witness his bittersweet reunion with his remaining family and teachers. The film takes us back to the years 1975-79 when 90 percent of the dancers were executed or died of starvation or disease.