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.