About the film
Samsara: Death and Rebirth in Cambodia is a 1989 short documentary film about Cambodian people rebuilding after the rule of Pol Pot and the experience of the Killing Fields. Ellen Bruno directed and produced the film for her Stanford University master’s thesis. The documentary is made in the United States and presented in English, while its subject remains the rebuilding of Cambodia’s people after mass violence and political rule.
Its listed year and release are 1989, and it is categorized as a documentary film. The entry identifies Bruno as both maker and director, giving the film a closely authored production profile. For readers exploring documentaries about Cambodia, recovery after conflict, or films created in an academic setting, Samsara provides a concise historical and human-centered subject.
Its short format makes it a focused entry for viewers seeking a documentary on rebuilding after the Killing Fields.
Who it is for
It suits viewers interested in Cambodia, post-conflict rebuilding, and the human effects of the Killing Fields. Students may also find its master’s-thesis production context relevant.
Worth knowing
- Examines rebuilding after Pol Pot’s rule
- Addresses the Killing Fields’ aftermath
- Short documentary format
- Directed and produced by Ellen Bruno
- English-language production
Before you press play
- Released in 1989
The short of it
Samsara: Death and Rebirth in Cambodia is a short, focused documentary about rebuilding after Cambodia’s violent history under Pol Pot. Ellen Bruno’s directing and producing role, including its thesis context, gives the film a clear authorship.