A Big Step for the Kingdom: Cambodia Embraces VR to Remember the Past and Inspire the Future
Cambodia just made a bold leap into the future of storytelling—and it’s sending ripples far beyond its borders.
In a landmark moment for the Kingdom’s cultural and technological landscape, Stay Alive My Son, a groundbreaking virtual reality (VR) experience based on the harrowing memoir of Khmer Rouge survivor Pin Yathay, made its Cambodia debut at the 14th Cambodia International Film Festival (CIFF). And for both locals and international visitors, it marked something extraordinary: the convergence of memory, technology, and emotion in one powerful, immersive journey.
Directed and developed by award-winning filmmaker and technologist Victoria Bousis, the project transforms Yathay’s true story into an interactive cinematic experience, using cutting-edge VR technology to bring viewers face-to-face with the trauma—and hope—that defined Cambodia’s darkest chapter. Starring French-Cambodian actress Elodie Yung, the film was presented to audiences at the Bophana Centre, marking what Bousis called a “homecoming” for both the story and her creative journey.
“This isn’t just a film. It’s a tribute to resilience, a call for remembrance, and a powerful tool for education,” Bousis shared at a panel event at Rosewood Hotel. “It’s a big step forward for Cambodia—a place where storytelling and innovation are now walking hand-in-hand.”
For Cambodia, a country still reckoning with the legacy of its past, the film is more than just entertainment. It’s a testament to how far the Kingdom has come in embracing new ways to heal and educate. The experience—part film, part game, all heart—lets users live Yathay’s story. With stunning visuals, spatial sound, and interactive design, the VR medium allows viewers to walk through his journey, experiencing moments of fear, love, guilt, and, ultimately, survival.
Discover More Events In Cambodia
“I wanted the audience to feel his heartbreak, but also his strength,” Bousis said. “Because when we embody someone else’s truth, we’re more likely to carry that understanding into the real world.”
The impact of Stay Alive My Son has already gone global. It’s been screened at XR festivals, honored with awards like the 2023 Producers Guild Innovation Award and Games for Change’s Best Social Impact Award, and even shown to diplomats and decision-makers through the UNHCR in an effort to influence international refugee and human rights policy.
Back home, its significance is equally profound. For younger Cambodians, the VR film serves as a modern-day bridge to a history that can feel distant. For tourists and expats, it offers an emotionally charged and deeply human window into the country’s resilience—and why its people remain its greatest strength.
Discover more Arts & Culture in Cambodia
Pin Yathay himself, whose memoir inspired the project, called the adaptation a vital record. “I am a witness,” he said. “And it is my duty to inform the new generation and the world what occurred during the Khmer Rouge regime, so we never repeat the past.”
As Cambodia looks ahead to a future shaped by creativity, innovation, and global connection, Stay Alive My Son stands as a shining example of what’s possible when technology is used with purpose and passion. It’s a reminder that even the most painful stories can be transformed into experiences that educate, empower, and unite.
For the Kingdom, this is more than just a film—it’s a milestone. Now’s the time to visit Cambodia, not only to explore its ancient wonders but also to witness how its creative industries are breaking new ground, giving voice to the voiceless and proving that the future of storytelling has a Khmer heart.
 | Cambodia |
 | https://www.cambodialifestyle.com |
 | +855 9 678 01791 |
Popular Posts
Recent Posts
- A Big Step for the Kingdom: Cambodia Embraces VR to Remember the Past and Inspire the Future
- Empowering Women and Children in Rural Cambodia: A Conversation with The Sorn Foundation
- Fine Wines in Cambodia: Bringing Italian Elegance to the Kingdom
- Celebrate Khmer New Year with Purpose at the Songkran Heritage Charity Event 2025
Author: Tom Starkey
Tom Starkey is an International Development graduate from Sussex University with 12-years of experience across 4 continents, Tom's goal is that he wants to showcase his love for Cambodia, where he lives, works and now happily calls home.
