Khmer Rouge Regrets, a photo from Phnum Penh, West

Photographer's Note

Ex Khmer Rouge officer at age 83, HIV positive. Portrait upper left shows him in younger days, just before Pol Pot's murderous rise. He regrets his time with the Khmer Rouge, but says he had no choice. He claims to have had 43 wives over the years, many woo'd by his magic love potions. Taken at Borei Kela slum. What about the hands?

MLINES, kajspice heeft deze opmerking als nuttig gemarkeerd

Critiques | Translate

lejczer (248) 2006-04-08 15:00

He is so sad...

jussipee (10) 2006-04-09 4:21

You cut hands on purpose?
Very sad story, but hope is always everybodys mind in those areas.
Dramatic shadows.
Thanks Bennett.

markoci (3933) 2006-04-09 5:08

a superb documentary portrait, with interesting notes. nothing to complain about, congrats! how did you get to meet him?

itworks (1135) 2006-04-09 12:08

Great shot.

eleparc (24063) 2006-04-09 16:19

This shot has got such a long story behind it... It touches the Great history and the Human one at the same time, encompassing the Pol Pot regime and those Horrendous years of slaughter, and the HIV infection and regrets of this man.. you are apologized for the hands for this time;-)

Eric

alimo3 (6854) 2006-04-18 19:14

hi Bennett,
i like your introduction "Just a guy with a camera" and for me this picture could be "Just a guy if front of your camera" but the result is amazing ,and this image tells an all story.
the colors and the light from the side are beautiful.
Bravo.

Tom

Polonaise (5802) 2006-09-22 23:17

Incredible story attached to an incredible picture.
To the best of my understanding - those Khmer Rouge people - Do they really understand what did they do to the rest of the population of their country?
To the rest of the world?
Does the world really understand the atrocity of those events?
Does this man have the bad dreams..?
His hands?
How many times did he pull the trigger of his beloved AK-47.
Maybe he was the one that used nails and hammer instead?
------------------------------------------------------
Did you help him Bennet, with his suffering?
Did you have a choice?
----------------------------
All the best
g.

jerome92 (6) 2011-08-03 13:27

This is a powerful shot.
Great photojournalism .
You have captured perfectly the essence of Cambodia , their traditions , their way of life , their sufferings.

Respect