Should I Watch “First They Killed My Father” Before Traveling to Cambodia?

About six million travelers visit Cambodia each a year to admire the world’s largest religious temple complex Angkor Wat, its national parks, and the stunning white-sand beaches on the southern coast.

However, behind all this beauty, hides a darker side of the country, the Cambodian war, led by the Khmer Rouge.

“First They Killed My Father” is a movie based on the memories of a young girl named Loung, growing up during this regime led by the Khmer Rouge. 

The movie provides excellent insight into the history of Cambodia and the struggles many families encountered.

Learning about the country’s dark history will make you feel more connected to the Cambodian citizen.

It will enhance your experience when traveling through this beautiful country, a country that is arguably one of the most interesting destinations in the whole of Southeast Asia.

When did this story take place?

In 1975, sadly not so long…