Cambodia: The forgotten temple of Banteay Chhmar | DW Documentary

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Deep in the jungle of Cambodia lies a jewel from the Khmer Empire: the temple of Banteay Chhmar. Half devoured by plants and long forgotten by most people, the 800-year-old complex is being rediscovered, slowly. The village community of Banteay Chhmar is taking charge. Far from the well-trodden tourist trails, the rice farmers of this small village are trying an experiment unknown in Cambodia: with almost no outside help, they are fighting to preserve and restore their temple using nothing but their own strength. The filmmakers meet a young couple, Sreymom and Sopeng, who are enthusiastically involved in the village’s project. For them, the temple is a sacred place, and they teach their two young daughters to respect Buddha. Sreymom does not want to confine herself to the role of housewife and mother: she has professional ambitions, and applies for a job as teacher at the village school. Her husband, Sopeng, is a rice farmer and works part-time as a temple guide for the few travelers who visit the village. There is a lot to discover, including ornate Khmer reliefs documenting daily life in the ancient civilization, eerie temple tunnels and larger-than-life faces carved into towers that rivall those at the world-famous Angkor Thom. The village’s annual cultural highlight is Bon Om Tuk, the water festival, traditionally held on the water surrounding the temple. #freedocumentary #documentary #Cambodia #dwdocumentary __ DW Documentary gives you knowledge beyond the headlines. Watch top documentaries from German broadcasters and international production companies. Meet intriguing people, travel to distant lands, get a look behind the complexities of daily life and build a deeper understanding of current affairs and global events. Subscribe and explore the world around you with DW Documentary. Subscribe to: DW Documentary: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCW39zufHfsuGgpLviKh297Q?sub_confirmation=1# DW Documental (Spanish): https://www.youtube.com/dwdocumental DW Documentary (Arabic): https://www.youtube.com/dwdocarabia For more visit: http://www.dw.com/en/tv/docfilm/s-3610 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dwdocumentary/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dw.stories We kindly ask viewers to read and stick to the DW netiquette policy on our channel: https://p.dw.com/p/MF1G