First They Killed My Father

First They Killed My Father

Year: 2017

Runtime: 136 min

Language: Khmer

BiographyDramaHistory

During Cambodia's horrific Khmer Rouge regime, a young girl experiences unimaginable trauma. Based on Loung Ung’s memoir, the film depicts her desperate struggle for survival from age five to nine. She and her family are torn apart, facing the brutal realities of war, forced labor, and the devastating effects of genocide as they fight to stay alive.

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Timeline – First They Killed My Father (2017)

Trace every key event in First They Killed My Father (2017) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Introduction of Loung Ung

In the tumultuous year of 1975, we are introduced to Loung Ung, a five-year-old girl living in the Cambodian capital. The backdrop features the escalating chaos stemming from the Vietnam War and its ramifications on Cambodia, setting the stage for Loung's harrowing journey.

1975 Cambodia
2

U.S. Military Involvement

As U.S. military operations intensify against North Vietnamese forces, the conflict begins to infiltrate Cambodia’s borders. This incites broader instability and triggers the onset of the Cambodian Civil War, leading to increased dangers for families residing in the region, including Loung's.

Cambodia
3

Khmer Rouge Takes Control

The Khmer Rouge seizes control of Phnom Penh, forcing families, including Loung's, to evacuate under the pretense of impending bombings by the Americans. Fear and desperation grip the population as the regime's oppressive force begins to exert itself.

Phnom Penh
4

Desperate Evacuation

Loung's father, Pa Ung, denies working for the government when confronted by Khmer Rouge soldiers, knowing the dire consequences of the truth. The family seeks refuge with Uncle, but Aunt's fears push them into a deadly escape.

Cambodia
5

Capture by Khmer Rouge

After days of exhausting travel, Loung's family is captured by Khmer Rouge soldiers who transport them to a labor camp. Here, they face grueling conditions and are forced to build their own shelters under a regime that thrives on cruelty and punishment.

Labor Camp
6

Life in the Labor Camp

Families in the labor camp endure relentless forced labor while having their belongings confiscated. With minimal food available, starvation leads to dire punishments for those seeking sustenance, and Loung witnesses the brutal beatings of her siblings.

Labor Camp
7

Separation from Siblings

Loung's two oldest brothers and her sister, Keav, are moved to different camps. Loung soon learns of Keav's death due to dysentery, deepening her sorrow and the chaos of their separation as the family slowly disintegrates.

Various Camps
8

Heartbreaking Farewell

In a sorrowful farewell, Loung's father is taken away by Khmer Rouge officials under false pretenses. His departure foreshadows the troubles that lie ahead, leaving Loung and her mother with haunting thoughts of potential tragedy.

9

Escape as Orphans

Following their father's capture, Loung and her brothers are instructed by Ma to flee in different directions, adopting false identities as orphans. Loung and Chou manage to escape to another camp, but they remain separated from Kim, intensifying their distress.

Cambodia
10

Enlistment as Child Soldiers

At the new camp, Loung is forced to train as a child soldier for the Khmer Rouge amidst the ongoing war. While conditions are slightly better than the labor camp, the emotional and psychological indoctrination against the Vietnamese is unforgiving.

11

Searching for Family

In a brief respite, Loung is allowed to visit her sister but instead learns that her mother and youngest sister, Geak, have also disappeared. An elderly informant delivers the chilling news, plunging Loung into a deeper state of despair.

Labor Camp
12

Vietnamese Shelling

As Loung's camp suffers from Vietnamese shelling, she flees with other civilians, leading to a transient reunion with her siblings at a temporary refugee camp. The moment is short-lived as Khmer Rouge forces launch an attack the next day.

Temporary Refugee Camp
13

Chaos in the Jungle

During the chaotic escape from the Khmer Rouge forces, Loung and her siblings become separated in the jungle. Haunted by horrific visions, she struggles to cope with the trauma and the violent realities around her, bearing witness to the gruesome consequences of landmines.

Jungle
14

Reunion at Red Cross Camp

Eventually, Loung, along with her siblings, is joyfully reunited at a Red Cross-run refugee camp. Despite the overwhelming relief, the scars of violence and memories from the war still linger, as they navigate their new reality while haunted by the past.

Red Cross Refugee Camp
15

Final Prayer for Their Family

As the war comes to an end, Loung and her siblings gather in a Buddhist temple to honor their lost family members. In a poignant moment of reflection, they kneel in prayer, signifying resilience and the enduring bond of family amidst their shared grief.

Buddhist Temple

Last Updated: November 16, 2024 at 11:25

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Characters, Settings & Themes in First They Killed My Father

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