Press Release
Amiel Courtin-Wilson and Michael Cody’s film RUIN, a metaphysical love story road movie set in Cambodia, has been selected to screen at this year’s 70th anniversary Venice International Film Festival (August 28 – September 7)
The pair co-directed, co-wrote and co-produced RUIN, which is in the Khmer language and features Cambodian actors.
This is Amiel’s second Venice selection. His film HAIL (produced by Michael Cody) also premiered at Venice in 2011.
RUIN is an impressionistic fable- the story of Phirun (Rous Mony) and Sovanna (Melang) – two lovers inexplicably drawn together who escape a brutal and exploitative world of crime and violence in modern day Cambodia. Fleeing Phnom Penh after a murder, they travel deeper into the jungle. As their vulnerable love ebbs and flows along their journey, they wake from the trauma of their former lives and unleash a violent rage upon the world. Love and death intermingle as they travel deeper into the abyss- their world strangely transforming around the two young lovers on the run.
Executive Producer of RUIN is Kulikar Sotho of Cambodia’s Hanuman Films. Ruin is its first co-production.
Lead actor Rou Mony had a small role in Wish You Were Here, on which Cody worked as the line producer in Cambodia. Lead actress Melang is a circus contortionist discovered by the filmmakers in Phnom Penh.
Amiel Courtin-Wilson said: “To be selected for the 70th Anniversary of the oldest film festival in the world is an absolute honour- especially with such an uncompromising film.”
Michael Cody said: “It's an absolute delight to have RUIN selected for such a prestigious festival, and particularly exciting given that it's the first Khmer language film ever to screen at Venice.”
Produced by Flood Projects the Australian production collective that includes members Amiel Courtin-Wilson, Michael Cody, Justin Kurzel, Germain McMicking and Adam Arkapaw.
RUIN was produced with the financial assistance of Screen Australia and Screen NSW. Madman Entertainment is the Australian and New Zealand distributor.