Summary

Arn is a young boy living in Battambang, Cambodia. In April of 1975, music is commonplace in his hometown where - whether rich or poor - music is the standard by which life is led. At night, the whole town is out, and Arn and his younger brother dance and sing for the crowd. Arn chooses a large woman in the crowd so that he and his brother can sneak into the movie house by pretending to be her children. Inside, they watch a war movie and afterward replay parts in the part; flying planes, shooting guns and acting as the heroes of their story. They hear a whistle and the sky in the distance turns white as the ground shakes beneath them and the palm trees quiver. Arn grabs his brother and they race to the little pond by their house...