Cambodian Ghost City in 1978 – Phnom Penh Emptied of 2 Million People
After the overthrow of King Sihanouk in 1970, the short lived Khmer Republic lasted only five years. A brutal civil war then ensued with the Khmer Rouge, and eventually the US-backed dictator Lon Nol was ousted by the Pol Pot led communists. The Khmer Rouge were backed by the Chinese.
However, this post is not about the retelling of the Khmer Rouge story or the killing fields. It is about an entire city, emptied of its two million residents. Many civilians were killed but ALL were forced from the main city, marched to the countryside to work on large communal farms. The communist utopia awaited, and it was Year Zero. A new start for Cambodia.
This video was filmed by Yugoslav journalists in 1978, as they drove through the once bustling capital city of Phnom Penh, Cambodia. The footage was used in a French documentary.
This is another rare and disturbing video showing the Khmer Rouge in the empty city, and a creepy military-style victory celebration is included.
Guest 12:52 am on August 30, 2013 Permalink |
The original Democratic Kampuchea footage was shot by a Yugoslav film crew, Televizija Beograd is Television Belgrade. This footage was then inserted into a French documentary about the KR.
John 10:12 am on August 30, 2013 Permalink |
Thanks for that info. I will correct my text.
1978 | cambodia to kampuchea 11:19 am on August 16, 2015 Permalink |
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