Cambodian in Montreal (05:53)

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In her Quebec neighborhood, Thida, a second generation Cambodian immigrant, pays tribute to her late brother. Following in his footsteps, she travels to Cambodia to learn of her family's tragic past.

Thida's Family History (03:33)

Thida arrives in the city of Phnom Penh, and realizes that every local over 40 lived through the Khmer Rouge. Her father was able to flee the country, but her mother was a prisoner.

Survivors of the Khmer Rouge (05:01)

Thida meets up with a childhood friend of her father's, who survived Khmer Rouge purges by concealing his identity. He shows her the location of the Cambodian mass graves, and explains the complicated history of the Khmer Rouge.

Survivors of S-21 Prison (06:49)

S-21 was a school converted by the Khmer Rouge into a prison complex that killed around 17,000 prisoners. One of only seven known survivors takes Thida on a tour of the prison to tell his story.

Trial of Comrade Duch (05:26)

In 2009, United Nations backed trials of former Khmer Rouge officials began in Phnom Penh. The former director of S-21 Prison, "Duch," stands trial for his role in the Cambodian genocide.

Life Under the Khmer Rouge (06:01)

Thida meets with her uncle in Phnom Penh, who also returned to Cambodia to untangle the past. Together, they visit rural villagers to learn the perspectives of survivors that never left Cambodia.

Cooperation with the Khmer Rouge (05:29)

In order to survive, Cambodians were forced to cooperate with the Khmer Rouge regime. Survivors still grapple with their culpability in the Khmer Rouge's crimes against its own people. Thida visits a memorial in a cave to pay her respects to victims.

Remnants of the Khmer Rouge (06:26)

Thida and her uncle travel towards the Thai border, where the Khmer Rouge took refuge after the fall of the regime. The last of the Khmer Rouge surrendered in 1999 and were offered a general pardon. They meet with family members that were formerly part of the Khmer Rouge that Sammono met before.

Landmines in Cambodia (07:07)

Thida struggles with the fact that members of her own family were on opposite sides. Landmines were deployed extensively during the war, and continue to impact rural Cambodia. Thida visits a village where almost everyone has lost a limb to landmines that are still dangerous decades later.

Bridging the Generational Gap (08:15)

Thida continues to follow her brother Sammono's route through Cambodia, reflecting on her experiences. In a rural village, she meets her oldest uncle, who passes on knowledge that was lost during the war to the next generation.

Reflecting on Cambodia (08:41)

Duch's attorney, Francois Roux, challenges the court to recognize Duch's humanity. Thida's uncle reflects on his country's history and why he returned to Cambodia. Thida herself reflects on her journey, and how it has changed her.

Credits: Shadows Within (03:17)

Credits: Shadows Within