The perfect soldier is the land mine, which never needs food, water, or rest, nor has a conscience; millions of them remain undetonated in Cambodia. Not quite as perfect were the child soldiers conscripted by the Khmer Rouge in its war against Vietnam. Aki Ra, a living legend in Cambodia, was one of the latter, and he himself planted many of those mines. This moving documentary recounts his struggle to make amends by devoting his life to disarming mines, training others to do so, and opening a unique museum devoted to those perfect soldiers.

2010, John Severson, Cambodia/USA, 56 min.HDCAM video. (Description courtesy of the Gene Siskel Film Center.)

Presented in partnership with WBEZ 91.5 FM, as part of Global Activism Expo 2011. Chicago-based director John Severson and producer/editor Jonathan Lacocque will be present for audience discussion following the film.