The Catch (Gibier d'elevage)

A Catherine Dussart Prods., Arte France, Bophana Prods., Institut National de l'Audiovisuel production, in association with TV5 Monde, SIMF Management, CNC, Media, Fonds Francophone de Production Audiovisuelle du Sud. (International sales: Films Distribution, Paris.) Produced by Catherine Dussart. Directed by Rithy Panh. Screenplay, Michel Fessler, Panh, based on the story "Shiiku" by Kenzaburo Oe.With: Cyril Guei, Chem Chuop, Soeum Chhoeum, Pruoch Chhoeum. (Khmer, English dialogue)In "The Catch," Cambodian helmer Rithy Panh successfully reinterprets Kenzaburo Oe's story of an African-American pilot caught behind enemy lines. Updating the narrative from WWII (the setting of Oe's source and Nagisa Oshima's 1961 film version) to the Vietnam War, Panh places less emphasis on the captive's race; he's more concerned with illustrating how the Khmer Rouge turned oppressed people against each other in order to fulfill its militaristic aims. Despite an obviously tight budget, the pic is well mounted and fest play is assured, though commercial outlook is grim. Pic opens with devastating archival footage of the Cambodian bombings, with matching military commentary. Off camera, a plane crashes, and tough orphaned boy Pang (Chem Chuop) leads his gang to capture the surviving pilot (Cyril Guei). Given a nod for his bravery by Khmer Rouge soldiers, Pang has a hard time keeping his young gang in line and preventing them from empathizing with their prisoner. The helmer works well with his largely non-pro cast, while his direction shows a fondness for crane shots, hinting at a greater technical facility than the quality of the film's HD lensing would suggest.Camera (color, HD), Prum Mesar; editors, Panh, Marie-Christine Rougerie; music, Marc Marder; production designer, Benoit Cisilkiewick. Reviewed at Tokyo Film Festival (Winds Of Asia/Middle East), Oct. 22, 2011. Running time: 110 MIN. Contact the Variety newsroom at news@variety.com