I have introduce few days ago about art project of Cambodian Taxi Driver. I guess you might enjoy the trailer.

I contact the creator of this wonderful project Mr. Takeyoshi Fukuda. We have exchange some conversation because I want to get more details about his work.

Here are the details I understand from his work. Maybe I am not too smart but here are the true feeling I got from the global view.

This art work was more or less created in a theme that people need to be strong to live, to suffer, to hope for future and to be happy. In one short term everybody should “Stay Alive!”.

First reason to base the story in Cambodia because in general view, even passing through all bad memories of war and genocide, Cambodian people are still seen as they are happy and smile all the time.

This is not the first time I have been asked this question. I have been asked by another Japanese that he wonder when he arrived in Cambodia, he didn’t see any people suffer from the past.

People are living their lives and mostly having fun around. I replied to him at that time that people are busy in earning their lives, make money and they got no time to think about the past.

My answer was not totally correct even me I know myself. I answer because I need to answer and find some arguments. But the true is maybe we are generous and this is our nature and we always smile and happy even inside we got many things hidden.

It also happen to a lot of foreigners that when Cambodian people says “YES”, it doesn’t always mean “YES”. It is because we like to think in positive way and being optimist in life.

To understand more about the work of Mr. Takeyoshi Fukuda, here are the full Q&A:

Khmerbird: What is the first thing that make you interest in making this project?

Takeyoshi Fukuda: Many Japanese people have a sick mind. They don’t have a means of staying alive maybe. Viewed objectively, Cambodian people seems to be happy and wealthy humanity. I think, if I could tell Cambodian culture and thinking, all the people think something about own’s life and truth of happy.
That was how it all started.

Khmerbird: The output would be a full length movie or photo slideshow?

Takeyoshi Fukuda: My works has various possibility. 1st time now, slideshow with music and print only. But I wrote the original story novel, and I’ll try to make a iPhone and iPad App. And it would be good if I could make a real movie.

Khmerbird: Where we can watch this beautiful work?

Takeyoshi Fukuda: I exhibit in Tokyo Ginza Gallery “Kobo” at 12 July 2010 to 17 July. And I am planning in Siem Reap, Cambodia. I can tell soon. I’ll try exhibit in many country.

Khmerbird: What are the most difficulty in making this project?

Takeyoshi Fukuda: I think language barrier only. Some Cambodian people helped me from Japanese language. I can’t speak Khmer. And I can speak English so little bit. I must to study hard two language…

Khmerbird: Are the two Kim Hong & Sok Sophear have experience in acting before? How you find them?

Takeyoshi Fukuda: Kim played his real personality. He is my taxi driver. I met him for the first time when I traveled to Siem Reap. I was reminded of him at the time I wrote the novel. And I ask him to act himself.

Sophear is coordinator’s girl friend. Now, she is studying about beautician in Phnom Penh.

They have not experience in acting. I told only situation and feeling. They could act very well.

These are the Press Information of Cambodia Taxi Driver

Theme

The Cambodia that we know in Japan: Angkor Wat and the smiling faces of children. Elementary schools and remote wells built with donations. Civil war, refugees and land mines. From such scraps of knowledge, we feel mainly pity.

Yet what is peculiar to us is simply natural circumstance for them.

We want to wipe away the pity felt by so many, and instead let them encounter the strength, kindness, sincerity and humanity of a fellow Asian people. For these people don’t just feel sorry for themselves. They yearn for something; they love somebody; they have will in the face of an uncertain future. They live with a free spirit no different to our own.

We want you to see the reality of the people living in Cambodia today. To feel directly the passion lying deep in their hearts and the wonder of their lives. And to make you seriously consider the question: just what can we do in this world? That is the grand theme that runs through this production.

Synopsis

Siem Reap, the tourist mecca of Cambodia’s Angkor ruins. The bike taxis and their drivers, familiar to anyone who has visited its streets.

A drama, based upon an original novel by the same creator, that makes a protagonist of one of these drivers that tourists scarcely glance at yet who go about their daily lives with single-minded determination.

The closed-off past; turmoil at the death of loved ones; romance; and what it means to live.

This cinematic photo story, comprising over 100 images, will arouse fresh curiosity, imaginings and emotions; a multitude of new thoughts stir in the viewer.

Five years in the making from conception to realization, from hereon too skills and techniques continue to develop and evolve. This debut exhibition at Ginza’s Kobo Gallery presents still images alongside a slide movie.

More details at Cambodian taxi Driver