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The Storm Makers
IDFA 2014

The Storm Makers

The Storm Makers
Guillaume Suon
Cambodia, France
2014
60 min
European Premiere
Festival history

Half a million Cambodians work in foreign countries, and a third of them are being exploited as slaves. In Thailand, Malaysia and Taiwan – but sometimes also in Europe and the United States – men work in construction or the shrimp industry and women as servants, factory workers or prostitutes. Their wages are ridiculously low and their work conditions harsh, and if they ever return home, they are often maimed and always traumatized. Director Guillaume Suon follows a girl who returned pregnant after two years of being exploited, as well as two “recruiters”: characters who make good money by enlisting young people. In Cambodia, they are called “storm makers.” According to one eyewitness, “When they arrive in a village, they bring the storm and tears with them.” Entire villages are empty after a visit from a recruiter who convinces parents to send their children abroad, hoping to secure a better future for them. But the promise of good money is always false and recruiters are all-powerful. In the words of one girl who came back, “There is no justice, rich people and traffickers always win.” A born-again Christian who is a successful recruiter enjoys his wealth without guilt. He fears only one thing: “I’m scared of losing the money I earned. I love money.”

Credits
Director
Executive producer
Involved TV Channel
    ARTE France
    ARTE France
World Sales
    CAT&Docs
    CAT&Docs
Screening copy
    Tipasa Production
    Tipasa Production