White Building, Cambodia's submission to the Oscars Best International Feature, has been making its rounds and gaining recognition at the world's biggest film festivals. The family drama follows 20-year-old dance enthusiast Samnang as he faces sudden changes in his life while his home, Phnom Penh's landmark tenement White Building, awaits demolition. Cinematographer Douglas Seok provides a glimpse into what occurred behind the scenes.
Our approach had always been to give the audience a sense of the building's spirit. It wasnt necessarily about specific architectural details, but more of what the tenement meant to the community and how it became a symbiotic living organism, says Seok. We weaved together two separate buildings, Pasteur and Psar Tapang, to recreate the now-demolished White Building, and it helped us let the characters breathe and have a life of their own. We wanted to honor the original building instead of trying to replicate it.
Seok and his crew, the Anti-Archives production company, drew inspiration from their previous features and shorts, such as New Land Broken Road, and Turn Left, Turn Right which explored many of the same themes. Through their past projects, they were able to inject the right mix of dance, youth, family, and social issues into the film. I think we had collectively developed a sense of tone, timing, and intuitive feel. When it came to shooting White Building,' we already had a strong foundation, and nothing was off-limits-so we pushed ourselves even more, mentions Seok.
Copyright Marion Bernard
Cambodia-based DP Douglas Seok with the ARRI ALEXA Mini
In achieving his and his team's vision, they found the ARRI ALEXA Mini to be a reliable partner; the only one available in Cambodia at that time. Seok reveals, When we heard that Producer Loy Te and Kongchak Pictures had an ALEXA Mini, we immediately felt that it was the camera for us, due to its superior image quality and robust build. It had already accumulated many hours of shooting under the hostile climate, but it never failed us. With so many variables to consider, I knew the Mini would be very dependable; it became my center of calm. There were nights of difficult shoots, but I remember always feeling a sense of calm when I hit record, having my eye on the viewfinder and the warmth of the camera next to my face.
In a place like Cambodia, where the light can be excessively harsh, filming in buildings that are designed in a way that cast extreme shadows makes the area practically pitch-black. Even so, the Mini could capture the latitude that was crucial to the texture of the film. The title implies how important the buildings are to the point where they are central characters themselves, and the Mini gave me the confidence to push the extremes on both ends, Seok continues.
Copyright Marion Bernard
Douglas Seok and his team shooting a scene on the streets of Phnom Penh with the ARRI ALEXA Mini
White Building has been several years in the making, born out of the pursuit of pure creativity and an imaginative spirit by a young and diverse crew who came together for the love of cinema. Seok and Anti-Archives are among many local filmmakers who aspire for the continuous rise of Cambodia's film industry. Seok comments, As technology has advanced, it's given a new generation of filmmakers accessibility to create. I am so happy that there is exposure to emerging talents in the country. I hope it brings awareness to the global community that there are many talented artists in Cambodia who are inspired to tell their stories.
The evolution of cinematography and image-capturing technology has also given local filmmakers the proper tools to explore ideas without worrying about equipment breakdown. Seok explains, The one fundamental aspect that has to be acknowledged is that the build quality has improved so much. Cambodia's climate was probably not the default setting for many camera manufacturers. But, with sensors continuously evolving, we can now capture the beauty of Cambodia, not only how the sun shines and reflects in the country but even more so at night when the world transforms into yet another beautiful organism.
ALEXA Mini More than just a camera
ALEXA Mini LF Large format, small camera
Most recent headlines
04/08/2024
Dalet, a leading technology and service provider for media-rich organizations, is excited to announce Santiago Solanas as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO)....
03/06/2024
Dalet, a leading technology and service provider for media-rich organizations, a...
30/04/2024
By Adam Piron
In anticipation of this edition of the Indigenous Program's Native Lab, it actually dawned on me that this will be our lab's tenth year i...
30/04/2024
Launch of SBS South Asian channel and SBS Spice, a new English language offering...
30/04/2024
LOS ANGELES (April 30, 2024) Light Iron, the post-production creative-services division of Panavision, is excited to announce that lodie Ichter has joined th...
30/04/2024
Now streaming on Netflix, Good Grief marks the feature-film directorial debut of Daniel Levy, well known as the co-creator and costar of the series Schitt's...
30/04/2024
The Forsyte Saga, John Galsworthy's sweeping portrait of a wealthy British family in 1880s London, is getting its third TV adaptation in less than 60 years....
30/04/2024
eds3_5_jq(document).ready(function($) { $(#eds_sliderM519).chameleonSlider_2_1({...
30/04/2024
CAMPBELL, Calif. Streaming media company Plex and T-Mobile will work together to expand T-Mobile's connected TV (CTV) inventory and advance the connection b...
30/04/2024
SAN JOSE, Calif. & BELLEVUE, Wash. Roku, Inc. has announced an expanded measurement partnership with iSpot.tv, the cross-platform TV measurement company....
30/04/2024
NEW YORK As Paramount Global wrestled with management turmoil and ongoing negotiations for a proposed merger with Skydance, the company managed to report improv...
30/04/2024
Cobalt Digital Receives Trifecta of Awards at NAB 2024
Company adds two 2024 NAB Show Product of the Year awards and one Best of Show from TV Tech to long list...
30/04/2024
arkona technologies GmbH, provider of IP core infrastructure solutions for top-tier broadcast productions, has announced that its BLADE//runner IP Audio Engine ...
30/04/2024
OpenDrives, Inc., the global provider of software-defined media workflow solutions and data management capabilities, announced today that it has joined the glob...
30/04/2024
The first norm conform sustainability service dedicated to the needs of the events industry
Easy-to-use, intuitive platform for venues, event organisers and su...
30/04/2024
Dejero GateWay enables Stream7 to create independent internet connectivity at any venue or location, including UK teaching hospital for live streaming of surgic...
30/04/2024
Excitement is building as farmerswife, a leading software provider for resource scheduling, project management, and team collaboration in the media industry, ha...
30/04/2024
XL8, a leading deep-tech startup specializing in AI-powered machine translation technology, proudly announces the successful completion of a System and Organiza...
30/04/2024
Test & measurement innovator, Leader Electronics of Europe, has announced that it will exhibit at CABSAT, which takes place this year from 21-23 May 2024 at the...
30/04/2024
MRMC Debuts Cinebot Max Camera Robot at NAB 2024
Brie Clayton April 30, 2024
0 Comments
Expands its range of live-action, motion-control camera robots...
30/04/2024
Next Jazz Legacy Announces 2024 Cohort of Women and Nonbinary Awardees The program was created by New Music USA and the Berklee Institute of Jazz and Gender J...
30/04/2024
European telecom satellite company SES announced today that it is acquiring rival Intelsat for $3.1 billion. The deal, unanimously approved by both companies...
30/04/2024
Bob Bakish, chief executive of Paramount stepped down on Monday, effective immediately. Bakish, who was a staunch ally of Shari Redstone, controlling shareholde...
30/04/2024
Hotspring said the breakthrough had been achieved through the acceleration of machine learning technology
By Matthew Corrigan
Published: April 30, 2024
Ho...
30/04/2024
Speaking about the deal, Adel Al-Saleh, CEO of SES, said: it will bring value-added, efficient, and reliable offerings for both companies media customers
By Je...
30/04/2024
Paramount said the Office of the CEO is working with its board to develop a comp...
30/04/2024
LOUISVILLE, Ky. In another sign that broadcasters are finally using NextGen TV broadcasts to offer viewers new features instead of simply simulcasting existing ...
30/04/2024
OKLAHOMA CITY The Oklahoma Journalism Hall of Fame will induct Blaise Labbe, a group news director for Sinclair Broadcast Group, May 2 at the 54th Anniversary I...
30/04/2024
ATLANTA and ENGLEWOOD, Colo. Cox Media Group and Dish have ended a dispute over retransmission fees that lasted nearly a year and a half with a new multi-year ...
30/04/2024
Video transport solution provider LTN has announced that it is working with TelevisaUnivision to help the Spanish-language media giant migrate to IP-based video...
30/04/2024
ALAMEDA, Calif. Clear-Com has released details about how it played a pivotal role in the seamless coverage of the recent solar eclipse on April 8, 2024 by NBC K...
30/04/2024
CINCINNATI The E.W. Scripps Company is adding Seth Walters to its sales leadership team as head of CTV sales, effective April 29....
30/04/2024
The force was strong at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park on Saturday night, April 27, 2024, as the night netted the ballpark's first official sellout crowd of...
30/04/2024
Revry, a network celebrating queer culture. said its second annual NewFront presentation will be a cabaret-type spectacle showcasing the spirit of the LGBTQ+ co...
30/04/2024
Family Entertainment Television (FETV) said that the Western series The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp will be joining the network's afternoon lineup startin...
30/04/2024
Bob Bakish, president and CEO of Paramount Global, will depart the company as Paramount explores a merger, according to numerous published reports. The reports ...
30/04/2024
April 30th, 2024 Press Materials Available Here
TRIBECA FESTIVAL 2024 ANNOUNCES TALKS, REUNIONS, & RETROSPECTIVES
Live Conversations with Judd Apatow, Andy C...
30/04/2024
6 minute read
Share
alt=Alternative descriptive text class=lazyload main main-lazyloaded responsive-image data-v-1a5ebb10>
Telenor showed good momentum...
30/04/2024
SES Acquiring Intelsat to Create New Satellite Giant; Will Offer Improved Reach ...
30/04/2024
Wuppertal April 30, 2024
WDR Filmhaus to Implement Riedel Infrastructure Award-Winning MediorNet HorizoN Hybrid Processing Platform Serves as Bridge to IP
Ri...
30/04/2024
Back to All News
Tilda Swinton Joins Colin Farrell in Edward Bergers The Ballad...
30/04/2024
Back to All News
Netflix Reveals First Look Images and Teaser from Senna, Inspi...
30/04/2024
Back to All News
Top 10 Week of Apr. 22: Baby Reindeer' and Rebel Moon - ...
30/04/2024
Dr. Nicola Hodson, Chief Executive, IBM UK & Ireland introduces the UK findings of an IBM study on female leadership in the age of AI
Advances in Artificial In...
30/04/2024
Channel Expansion, and New Codecs, Compression and Transport Technology Among Latest Updates...
30/04/2024
Accel-KKR Credit Partners today announced that it has provided debt financing to support Dalet in its next chapter of innovation and growth. Accel-KKR Credit Pa...
30/04/2024
Skeem Saam: Monday's episode, 29 April 2024 [video]Missed an episode of Skeem Saam? No problem! Watch the latest episode of your favourite South African soa...
30/04/2024
Tonight on Skeem Saam: Lewatle witnesses an explosive fight between Sthoko and B...
30/04/2024
RT News is pleased to announce the appointment of David Murphy as its new Economics & Public Affairs Correspondent. David is currently RT 's Political Cove...
White Building, Cambodia's submission to the Oscars Best International Feature, has been making its rounds and gaining recognition at the world's biggest film festivals. The family drama follows 20-year-old dance enthusiast Samnang as he faces sudden changes in his life while his home, Phnom Penh's landmark tenement White Building, awaits demolition. Cinematographer Douglas Seok provides a glimpse into what occurred behind the scenes.
