Overview

• April 17, 2025, marks the 50th anniversary of the Khmer Rouge's takeover of Phnom Penh, which began a four-year genocide that claimed approximately 2 million lives.
• The Forum des images in Paris is hosting a program of films and discussions, including works by filmmaker Rithy Panh, to examine the genocide's legacy and its representation in art and media.
• Rithy Panh, whose family perished during the genocide, remains a central figure in preserving the memory of the atrocities through his cinematic storytelling.
• Scholars and cultural experts are debating the ethical complexities of representing the genocide, questioning whether art can adequately convey its horrors.
• The phenomenon of 'double denial,' where the genocide was first denied and later minimized in public discourse, continues to challenge efforts to confront and understand this historical tragedy.