Surviving Bokator
2023 • 1h 41m • Documentary
Availability
Available until Dec 31, 2026
Available Worldwide
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About the film
A genocide survivor leads a team of young athletes on a mission to resurrect Cambodia’s ancient martial art of Bokator, and bring it to the world. Bokator, which originated on the battlefields of ancient Angkor, was decimated by the Khmer Rouge regime in the 1970's and was feared extinct.
Captured over a decade in verité-style filmmaking, this powerful award winning documentary is a unique look into a post-war people’s efforts to reclaim traditional identity, build bridges between generations, and find their place in a modern world.
Director
Mark Bochsler
Producer
Sandra Leuba
Crew
Faisal Lutchmedial, Tamara Scherbak, Kevin Schjerning
Awards & recognition
LONELY WOLF London International Film Festival
Winner: Best Documentary Feature
LOS ANGELES MOVIE AWARDS
Winner: Best Documentary
LONELY WOLF London International Film Festival
Winner: Best Documentary Director
LIVERPOOL FILM FESTIVAL
Winner: Best Documentary Feature
MILANO FICTS SPORT FILM FESTIVAL
Winner: Mention d'Honeur
BANGKOK INTERNATIONAL DOCUMENTARY AWARDS
Winner: Best Sport Documentary
PALADINO D'ORO SPORT FILM FESTIVAL
Winner: Best Editing
What people are saying
‘“This film connects on so many levels for educators and students alike. A great companion for units on history, sociology, psychology, cultural and gender studies.”‘
Dona Cady, Professor of Humanities
Middlesex Community College, MA
‘“10/10. An intense and moving story that smashes expectations”‘
Ramon Youseph
KungFu Kingdom Magazine
‘“One of the must-watch films of the year”‘
Carl Broughton
FilmEra Review
‘“the film is an invaluable heritage and should be celebrated and disseminated as part of the cultural history of humanity.”‘
Enzo Capiello, General Secretary
IOC / FICTS World Championship of Sport Cinema
‘“A unique and important historical record on one of Cambodia’s most important traditions”‘
H.E. Phoeurng Sakona
Minister of Culture and Fine Arts, Cambodia
‘“heartfelt documentary filmmaking that evokes every emotion under the sun.”‘
Al Bailey, Artistic Director
Liverpool International Film Festival
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