Author/Editor: Maria Anna Furman

The premiere of Cambodjana will be more than just the screening of a documentary. It is a journey into history, a journey into the depths of the human experience, one that, though painful, demands to be heard. The film evokes images that should never be repeated, yet keep resurfacing in different parts of the world. Its creators portray conflicts not through the lens of politics or military strategy, but through their most dramatic consequences, the fate of ordinary people.

At the heart of the film is Piotr Oller, a witness whose perspective on conflicts carries both the weight of experience and the urgency of moral appeal. His narrative takes the viewer through scenes of destruction and despair, which always strike the most vulnerable. It is not the soldiers on the front lines, but civilians, children, women, and families, who bear the heaviest burden of conflicts. They die not because they fought, but because they happened to be within reach of events over which they had no control.

The film reminds us that every conflict is a spiral, consuming entire communities. It brings waves of displacement, the loss of homes, and the collapse of any sense of security. The destruction is total, affecting not only towns and villages, but also family bonds, culture, and hope for the future.

The filmmakers do not shy away from difficult questions. Why, despite the experiences of the last century, do we keep repeating the same mistakes? The history of the Second World War, the concentration camps, or the Cambodian genocide should serve as warnings, yet the world too often allows the script of conflict to play out again in Africa, the Balkans, and the Middle East. The film suggests that humanity still has not learned to recognise the warning signs or to act early enough.

Cambodjana is also a call for responsibility. It is an appeal to stop being indifferent observers and to take action before conflicts once again spiral out of control. The story told by Piotr Oller is not just a documentation of the past; it is a warning that the future depends on the choices we make today.

The film does not provide simple answers or quick comfort. Instead, it forces reflection on what peace truly means and why it is so easily lost. It shows that building lasting understanding between people and nations is a process that demands vigilance, courage, and consistency.

Cambodjana is more than a documentary; it is a call to break the cycles that lead to violence. It is a reminder that every conflict begins in the human mind, and it is there that it must first be stopped.

Stars Night Awards 2025 has been granted the prestigious honorary patronage of Cambodjana, underscoring the stature of the event and its relevance in the global dialogue on memory and responsibility.

Author/Editor: Maria Anna Furman