The Catch 2011
French-Cambodian director Rithy Panh's gripping war drama *The Catch (2011)* plunges viewers into the brutal heart of Cambodia's Khmer Rouge era through the eyes of a child soldier.
Director: Rithy Panh
Cast
Frequently Asked Questions
What is *The Catch (2011)* about?
*The Catch* follows Pang, a Cambodian boy recruited by the Khmer Rouge, who is ordered to guard an American pilot after his plane crashes in the jungle. While the younger villagers befriend the prisoner, Pang's hardened allegiance to his captors drives him to betray the pilot's trust, revealing the warped morality of a child raised in ideological captivity.
Who directed *The Catch*?
Director Rithy Panh, an acclaimed French-Cambodian filmmaker known for his poignant works on Cambodia's Khmer Rouge era, helmed *The Catch (2011)*.
Who stars in *The Catch*?
The film features Cyril Gueï as Pang and Jhem Chuop as the captured American pilot.
Is *The Catch (2011)* worth watching?
*The Catch* is a gripping drama that blends historical weight with deeply personal stakes. While it doesn't have an IMDb rating, its themes of war, loyalty, and childhood innocence make it a compelling watch for fans of thought-provoking cinema—especially those interested in Cambodia's Khmer Rouge history.
How long is *The Catch*?
*The Catch* runs for 91 minutes.
About The Catch (2011) — A Khmer Rouge prisoner's fate told through the eyes of a child soldier
French-Cambodian director Rithy Panh's gripping war drama *The Catch (2011)* plunges viewers into the brutal heart of Cambodia's Khmer Rouge era through the eyes of a child soldier. When an American pilot survives a plane crash in the dense jungle, Pang—a village boy deeply indoctrinated by the Khmer Rouge—is tasked with guarding the prisoner. As the younger children warm to the stranger, seeing him as a human connection rather than an enemy, Pang's loyalty to his captors blurs into a darker purpose. His internal conflict exposes the tragically warped bonds of loyalty forged in ideological extremism, making *The Catch* a haunting exploration of innocence lost and the chilling cost of blind allegiance.
Cyril Gueï shines as the conflicted Pang, embodying the film's raw tension, while Jhem Chuop's portrayal of the pilot adds layers of vulnerability to an already tense dynamic. Set against the lush yet sinister backdrop of the Cambodian jungle, this 91-minute drama weaves history with human drama, offering a stark reminder of how war distorts morality and childhood. *The Catch* isn't just a wartime tale—it's a heart-wrenching meditation on what happens when fear and ideology replace family and empathy.