The Martin E. Segal Theater Center presents
Respoken
Sidney Ken / Thai Phirun Hul
At the Segal Theatre Film and Performance Festival 2026
Country
Cambodia
Language
Khmer
Running Time
26
minutes
Year of Release
2024
About The Film
A visionary actor and his team working to revive Cambodia’s Lakhon Niyeay (Spoken Theatre) facing personal and professional challenges as he prepares for a show that hasn’t been staged in six years, amidst an uncertain future.
Producer KIMKAHAPTEI TANN Co-Directors SIDNEY KEN THAI PHIRUN HUL Extra Camera Work CHANDARA KOAM Assistant Camera KIMSRUN SOK Interviewees PHEARITH NEN SOPHEAK SOUNG PONRONG SENG SREYLEAK CHAN SINA CHHON Editors SIDNEY KEN CHANDARA KOAM Colorist CHANDARA KOAM Special Thanks to EsaiVoler's Media Team Department of Media & Communication CHHEANGMENG THAY CHANTHIDA HEM
About The Artist(s)
Sidney Ken is a Cambodian director and colorist working at the intersection of documentary and commercial filmmaking. His work blends cinematic storytelling with real-world narratives, often focusing on identity, youth, and cultural shifts. Sidney is the founder of Limelight, a vintage lens rental house based in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. He is best known as the director of Respoken (2024), an award-winning documentary on Cambodia’s spoken theater scene, and Cool Like Us: La Cima Series (2026), a 6-part branded documentary series spotlighting emerging hip-hop artists. Sidney has directed multiple digital commercials for Samsung’s Galaxy S25 Ultra launch in Cambodia. Sidney has also directed and color graded campaigns for international brands and organizations, including Starbucks, Prudential, Oppo, UNDP, and the European Union.
Hul Thai Phirun is an award-winning Cambodian filmmaker working across documentary and cinematic storytelling. His practice centers on people-driven narratives, grounded in trust, observation, and emotional authenticity. As a cinematographer, his work includes Sbek Touch (2024) and A Taste of Tradition (2024), recognized at regional festivals. As an alumnus of Cambodia Film Lab, he has collaborated with NGOs and international organizations on socially driven projects, contributing to stories focused on reconciliation, culture, and community.
Chandara Koam is a Phnom Penh–based filmmaker and photographer working across directing, editing, and visual storytelling. Since beginning his practice in 2017, he has developed his craft through independent projects and professional productions, with a focus on music videos and narrative-driven visuals, and recently graduated from Cambodia Film Lab training.
Tann Kim Kahaptei (Kris) is a Cambodian filmmaker and producer with a background in Media and Communication. His work focuses on creating films that balance entertainment with cultural preservation, often aiming to spark meaningful conversation. Through his projects, Kris explores ways to connect contemporary storytelling with tradition, positioning his work within Cambodia’s evolving film landscape.