Vale Dith Pran 1942 - 2008

I was saddened today to learn of the death of Dith Pran. Dith was a photographer for the New York Times and the subject of the moving and powerful film The Killing Fields (1984). It was this film which sparked my love affair with Cambodia and, more than twenty years after its release, it remains an enduring testament to one man's courage, resolve and indomitable spirit.

In 1972 Dith Pran was hired by American journalist, Sydney Schanberg, to act as journalist and interpreter during the unrest in Cambodia. When foreign journalists were expelled from the country, he was exiled to the 'killing fields' where he endured four years of starvation and torture at the hands of the Khmer Rouge. Eventually he escaped and made his way to a refugee camp on the Thai border. He migrated to America in 1980.

Several years ago I was privileged to enjoy a brief but enlightening e-mail conversation with Mr. Pran. I found him to be a man of great humour, sensitivity and generosity with little, if any, bitterness for the past.

Dith Pran died last night in New Jersey. He will be cremated in a Buddhist ceremony later this week.