Vireak Dara

Vireak Dara(វីរះ តារា) is considered one of the most beautiful actresses of her time. Although her number of films were not copious (9), her popularity was not far behind that of Vichara Dany’s (120+ films). Of half French half Cambodian decent, director Ly Bunyim(លី ប៊ុនយីម) was amazed by her beauty. He was certain he wanted her as the leading actress of his films. Unfortunately, her parents refused to let their daughter pursue acting as a career.

Despite the objection by her parents, Ly Bunyim was determined to have her in his films. Although they had rejected his initial proposal, Ly Bunyim had proposed in another way, marriage. Shortly after she became Ly Bunyim’s wife, Vireak Dara debuted with her first film in 1965 “Sopasith”(សព្វសិទ្ធ). Sopasith became tremendously successful not only due to Vireak Dara’s beauty, but also due to Ly Bunyim’s stunning visual effects. See below for the splitting ground scene from the 1967 film “Puthisen Neang Kong Rey” (ពុទ្ធសែននាងកង្រី).

(The sequence of the song is not the original edit. The scene was re-edited with little footage of what was left of the song. Perhaps this part of the film had deteriorated or removed while it was screened in Thailand.)

Vireak Dara still remains alive today residing in Paris, France. Ly Bunyim currently resides in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

Brief Introduction

The faces you see here are the faces that once entertained Cambodia. These are also the faces of Khmer Rouge victims (excluding Dy Saveth). For a short period of 20 years (1955-1975), Cambodia once had a blooming entertainment industry. That all came to halt when the Khmer Rouge took power April 17th 1975. Everyone was forced out of the city to work rice fields in order to build a communist utopia led by Pol Pot. Anyone with an education, anyone who was a public figure, anyone associated with previous government was deemed an enemy and set to be executed along with their families under the brutal regime. A third of the population had perished of execution, starvation, being over worked, and disease. For a dark 4 years, entertainment was banned until the Khmer Rouge lost power January 7th 1979. During these 4 years, singers, writers, actors, actresses, directors anyone with a creative mind were amongst those executed. A list of over 500 films was reduced to a mere 33 films that are known to exist to the public today. All studio recordings are believed to have been destroyed. What remains are very few vinyls left in the hands of private collectors and music that managed to survive on cassette tapes. This blog is in dedication not only to our forgotten entertainers, but also to those who were affected by the Khmer Rouge's atrocities.


Pictured above are some of our entertainers we should know. From left to right:

Sinn Sisamouth: Legendary singer, writer composer, and also a movie director.
Ros Sereysothea: Queen of Cambodian music, deemed the Golden voice.
Pen Ran: Second most popular female singer next to Ros Sereysothea
Huoy Meas: Radio drama/Radio talk show host, singer, and writer.
Meas Samorn: Comedian singer.
Mao Sareth: Was known for her ability to sing high notes, also sang for the Royal Palace.
Poev Vannary: Known for her cover of American songs.
Voy Ho: Legendary composer/writer.
Poev Sipho: Composer/writer but best known for his heart breaking lyrics.
Has Salon: Violinist/composer/band orchestrator.
Kung Som'eun: Most popular actor with a list of over 100 titles accredited to.
Vichara Dany: Most popular actress often paired with Kung Som'eun.
Chea Yuthorn: Actor but also known for his real life martial arts skills.
Som Vansodany: Actress married to Chea Yuthorn.
Vann Vannak: Known for his action films.
Dy Saveth: Surviving actress who coincidentally was in Thailand when the Khmer Rouge took power. Best known for her medusa and crocodile trilogies.
Nop Nem: 1st generation actor who continued actor even after many years.
Kim Nova: Actress well known for her beauty.
Trente Deux: Comedian Actor.
Yeak Nhorm: Ogress Nhorm often playing an ogress/villain.