MEET NEW DAY: Jake Siam Solomon
I’m a Chicago-based documentary filmmaker with Thai and Midwestern roots. I'm drawn to stories that show the power of hope and the human spirit in the face of adversity, with a focus on amplifying underrepresented voices and communities. Creating The Last Thing Lost was a wild ride. It was my first documentary, filmed in Cambodia in 2020
The Last Thing Lost examines the remarkable life of Sarith Ou. After narrowly escaping the Khmer Rouge genocide in the 1970s, he embarked on an improbable journey to small-town Wisconsin. Sarith remained connected to his culture, leading Cambodian communities in America, but his past still haunted him. Sarith returned to Cambodia more than two decades after his departure, finding great need for schools and education in the rural areas of his childhood. Together, with his friend Roger, a Vietnam veteran turned psychologist, Sarith sets out to bring hope to rural Cambodia while healing their own decades-old wounds.
I was born and raised in Madison, Wisconsin where Sarith lived while in the United States. We met through mutual connections and what started as a plan to meetup for a day or two while I was visiting Southeast Asia, turned into three weeks of filming and this documentary. I have a close relationship with my Thai grandfather and saw similarities between his and Sarith’s experiences. This connection made me feel I could authentically tell this story. Still, there was so much I didn't know and had to learn about Cambodian history and it became a huge educational and emotional journey for me.
Filming in Cambodia had its difficulties but it was also incredibly rewarding. Being able to see Sarith do the work in the communities he cares about most and connect with the kids at the schools was so important for our deeper understanding of what he's gone through and the future of his work. It was a valuable lesson in the importance of taking time to build relationships and earn trust to authentically tell stories.
I invite you to watch the trailer and learn more about The Last Thing Lost.