Diamond Island (2016)

The electronic music of Diamond Island stood out for me as I entered the dull life of Bora, its protagonist, who moves to Phnom Penh in search of a better livelihood. The story then narrates his coming-of-age as he mingles with his long lost brother and his charismatic life and friends in the Cambodian city that is characterized by late night parties and concerts, riding and driving fancy vehicles, romance, and everything that he was not accustomed to when he was in his native, a village. It's a fine watch, especially when you observe the Cambodian culture, but in terms of international cinema standards, I don't see anything extraordinary here. The actors are all debutants, which is evident in their performances. But the dialogues, cinematography, and the score make up for it. **Grade C+**.

(Watched at the 2020 IIHS UrbanLens Film Festival.)