BUOYANCY

Drama
Australia, 2019, 93 min.

Directed and written by: Rodd Rathjen
Cast: Sarm Heng, Chan Visal, Thanawut Kasro, Mony Ros, Saichia Wongwirot

Chakra is a 14-year-old boy from a poor rural family in Cambodia who dreams of a better life. When a friend tells him about an easier way to make money in the city, he decides to leave his village. On his journey in search of work, he is entrapped by people smugglers and sold into slavery on a Thai fishing boat. He quickly realises that his only hope of escaping will come if he becomes as hard and cruel as his tormentors. Australian director Rodd Rathjen depicts the brutal, real life situation of forced labour in South East Asia. His film is a passionate testimony against social injustice and, at the same time, a touching and shocking coming-of-age story about a boy whose humanity is put to the test.

Festivals and Awards:
Berlinale 2019 – Ecumenical Jury Award
nomination for Film Award Amnesty International
nomination for Best Debut Melbourne International Film Festival 2019