Watch A River Changes Course

A River Changes Course is a 2013 documentary film that explores the impact of rapid industrialization on the lives of three Cambodian families. Directed and produced by Kalyanee Mam, the film follows the stories of Sari Math, Khieu Mok, and Sav Samourn, who all live along the Mekong River. Sari Math is a young woman from a small village who moves to the city in search of a better life. She dreams of getting an education and finding a good job, but soon discovers that life in the city is harsh and unforgiving. She struggles to make ends meet and is forced to live in slums, where she witnesses the devastating effects of urbanization on the environment and the people.

Khieu Mok is a farmer who lives in a remote village along the Mekong River. He has been fishing and farming for his entire life, but as the government begins to allow foreign companies to exploit the river and the surrounding land, his way of life is threatened. He watches as the river changes course and the fish disappear, leaving him no choice but to resort to dangerous and unsustainable fishing methods.

Sav Samourn is an elderly woman who has lived through the horrors of the Khmer Rouge regime. She has raised a large family and has always relied on the river for her livelihood. As she ages, she worries about the changing landscape and fears that her children and grandchildren will not be able to survive in a world where the river no longer provides.

Through the eyes of these three individuals, A River Changes Course paints a devastating picture of the consequences of rapid development and industrialization. The film shows how traditional ways of life and cultural practices are being destroyed, and how families are being torn apart as people are forced to migrate to cities or seek work elsewhere.

The movie also highlights the importance of preserving the environment and protecting the rights of indigenous communities. The government's decision to sell land and resources to foreign businesses is portrayed as a betrayal of the Cambodian people, and the film advocates for greater transparency and accountability in the decision-making process.

Visually stunning and emotionally powerful, A River Changes Course offers a haunting portrait of a nation in crisis. It is a sobering reminder of the cost of development and the urgent need to chart a more sustainable path forward.

A River Changes Course is a 2013 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 23 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.6 and a MetaScore of 77.