The Last Thing Lost

Seeking to heal past wounds, Sarith returns to Cambodia with a dream.
by
Jake Siam Solomon
2023
42 mins

Sarith Ou's narrow escape from the Khmer Rouge genocide took him on an improbable journey to small-town Wisconsin. Safe in America, his past still haunted him. With his new friend Roger, a Vietnam veteran turned psychologist, they set out to bring hope to rural Cambodia, while healing their own decades-old wounds.

Synopsis

Sarith Ou's narrow escape from the Khmer Rouge genocide in the 1970s took him on an improbable journey to small-town Wisconsin. Safe in America, his past still haunted him. After becoming a leader in the Cambodian & refugee community, he still felt a call to do more. That's when he returned home to Cambodia for the first time.

With his new friend Roger, a Vietnam veteran turned psychologist, they set out to bring hope to rural Cambodia, while healing their own decades-old wounds.

Director Commentary

I grew up in Madison, where Sarith spent his time while living in the United States. I saw my own family's past in his story, with my grandparents and my mom immigrating from Thailand. Upon learning more about his story I was shocked that I had never learned anything about the Khmer Rouge during my education, and equally impressed with the decisions and courage with which Sarith led his life.

Features and Languages

Film Features

  • Closed Captioning

Film/Audio Languages

  • English
  • Khmer

Subtitle/Caption Languages

  • English

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