Center for Asian American Media

The antidote is truth.

On the eve of the long-awaited Khmer Rouge trial, an American survivor of the genocide returns to Cambodia hoping to unlock the mystery of her father's disappearance in 1975. Thida Buth Mam's quest intersects with many silent voices: widows, survivors from remote villages, monks and even former perpetrators. Her search for the truth stirs up the fractured pieces of one family's nightmare, unearths an unimaginable heartbreak and ultimately shines light on a people's broken silence.

"Chronicling the personal journeys of individual Cambodians alongside the national odyssey towards truth and healing, OUT OF THE POISON TREE makes a vital statement about the necessity of facing the past. The film's use of the voices of everyday people, highlighting their diverse experiences and choices during and after the genocide, makes it a valuable educational resource. This film is ideal for engaging students in dialogue about the complexities of history, identity, and civic participation."

- Marc Skvirsky, VP Program, Facing History and Ourselves

3 STARS! Recommended
"OUT OF THE POISON TREE is a simultaneously sad and uplifting portrait of a people struggling to build a new future that also underscores the pain still felt by expatriates who left loved ones and lives behind."

- Video Librarian

Additional Resources
Study guide for grades 9 & up. »

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