Cambodia has submitted the psychological horror thriller “Tenement” as its contender for best international feature at the 98th Academy Awards.
The film, co-directed by Inrasothythep Neth and Sokyou Chea, is set within a decaying Khmer Rouge–era tenement in Phnom Penh.
It follows Soriya (Thorn Thanet), a Cambodian-Japanese manga artist who returns home after her mother’s death and becomes trapped in a series of terrifying visions that blur the boundaries between the past and present.
“Tenement” world premiered in the Big Screen Competition at the International Film Festival Rotterdam in 2024 and has since screened at Osaka Asian Film Festival, Ho Chi Minh City International Film Festival, Seattle International Film Festival, Sitges International Fantastic Film Festival, Kaohsiung Film Festival, Luxembourg City Film Festival, Motel X and Horrorant’s Fright Nights, among others.
Shot across Tokyo and Phnom Penh, production began in 2020 but was delayed for two years by the coronavirus pandemic.
The film employed Dolby Atmos sound design, a first for Cambodian cinema, and went on to win best production design at the 2024 Ho Chi Minh City International Film Festival.
The film is produced by Westec Media Limited and Kongchak Pictures. International sales for “Tenement” are handled by Paris-based Reel Suspects.
This marks Cambodia’s latest attempt at the international feature Oscar.
The country has previously submitted several films, with only Rithy Panh’s “The Missing Picture” in 2013 securing a nomination. In 2022, Davy Chou’s “Return to Seoul” made it to the shortlist.
The Oscar international feature shortlist will be announced on December 16 and the final five nominees will be announced on January 22.
Follow the latest news on Google News
