BECOMING HUMAN

BECOMING HUMAN ( ជាតិជាមនុស្សា)

A FILM by POLEN LY

WORLD PREMIERE - 82ND VENICE INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL - 2025
ASIAN PREMIERE - 30TH BUSAN INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL - 2025
UK PREMIERE - BFI LONDON FILM FESTIVAL - 2025

An abandoned cinema’s former spirit guardian wanders through rapidly transformed landscapes to reach her rebirth. Shocked by the world’s brutality, she must decide whether to become human again or remain a homeless ghost.

Cambodia | 2025 | Fiction | 99 mins | Color | Digital | Color | OV Khmer

Starring Serak Savorn and Piseth Chhun

Director and Writer: Polen Ly
Producer: Daniel Mattes

Director of Photography: Son Doan
Editor: Kavich Neang
Sound Design and Mix: Vincent Villa
Music Composers: Jean-Charles Bastion, Pierre Édouard Dumora
Production Designer: Bandiddh Prum
1st Assistant Director: Barney Roberts
2nd Assistant Director: Bopha Neng
Script Supervisor: Danech San
Sound Recordist: Che Villanueva
Gaffer: Patchakriti Sritue
Key Grip: Seun Sok
Props Master: Chivy Meach
Set Decorator: Chantha Mut
Costumes: Sreynoch Khun, Sovetornn Chea
Hair and Makeup: Sreypov Seng
Line Producer: Sreylin Meas
Unit Production Manager: Monysak Sou
Location Manager: Socheata Van
Catering Manager and Extras Manager: Sreybor Pin
Post-Production Supervisor and VFX Artist: Yi Yeang Raksmey
Colorist: Evy Roselet

Executive Producer: Natalyn Ang
Associate Producers: Davy Chou, Danech San, Kavich Neang (Anti-Archive); Son Doan, Perrine Wens (Camescoop); Loy Te, Vincent Villa (Kongchak Pictures); Tan Si En (Momo Film Co)

A project developed within the program Biennale College-Cinema with the support of a grant by La Biennale di Venezia and in partnership with Chanel

PRESS KIT

FESTIVALS

World Premiere - Biennale College - Venice International Film Festival - Italy
Asian Premiere - Window on Asian Cinema - Busan International Film Festival - Korea
Feature Competition - Namur International Francophone Film Festival - Belgium
Sutherland Competition - BFI London Film Festival - UK
Official Selection - Jakarta Film Week - Indonesia
New Talent Competition - Hong Kong Asian Film Festival - Hong Kong
NETPAC Competition - Taipei Golden Horse Film Festival - Taiwan
Horizon - Singapore International Film Festival - Singapore

TRAILER

PRESS

Becoming Human with director Polen Ly / Cinema Body Cinema Mind Podcast / 23 October 2025
Becoming Human (2025) by Polen Ly Film Review / AsianMoviePulse / 29 September 2025
Un'ectoplasmatica Cambogia in marcia verso incerto destino / Cineclandestino / 27 September 2025
Becoming Human Review: Cambodia's History in a Quiet Ghost Story / Gazettely / 24 September 2025
Cambodia's Anti-Archive Unveils Slate of Local and International Co-Productions at Busan Market / Variety / 21 September 2025
Busan International Film Festival 2025 Selection / NOWNESS Asia / 15 September 2025
Venezia 82 - Intervista al regista Polen Ly, il cinema come atto d'ascolto / NPC Magazine / 12 September 2025
"Becoming Human", interview with the director Polen Ly / FRED.FM Radio / 07 September 2025
'Becoming Human' Review: Biennale-Developed Cambodian Debut Ponders Life Beyond Cinema / Indiewire / 6 September 2025
Chanel Partners with Biennale College at Venice Film Festival to Support Upcoming Talents in the Movie Industry / Vogue / 02 September 2025
CHIET CHEA MANUSA (BECOMING HUMAN) - Polen Ly / Sentieri di Cinema / 01 September 2025
Becoming Human (2025). Lo spirito custode del vecchio cinema - Venezia 82 / L'occhio del cineasta / 01 September 2025
Chanel Supports Young Filmmakers at Venice Film Festival through Biennale College Cinema Project / WWD / 01 September 2025
Venezia82 - Becoming Human, la crisi dell'essere fantasmi / NPC Magazine / 30 August 2025
"Chiet chea manusa (Become human)" di Polen Ly / Non Solo Cinema / 30 August 2025
Recensione: Chiet Chea Manusa (Becoming Human) / Cinematografo / 29 August 2025
Venice-Bound Cambodian Feature 'Becoming Human' Lands at Lights On (EXCLUSIVE) / Variety / 14 August 2025