Daron Ker (DK): <\/strong>: When I became aware of the story of the first Cambodia National Baseball Team, I felt that I needed to let the world hear about the struggles for this team to pursue their dream. I feel that each of these kids are very special, and they are proud to represent Cambodia. Going through the Khmer Rouge era, I feel lucky to have survived the ordeal. I have a desire to bring a positive message about Cambodia and give back. <\/p>\n SY: What was the experience like as you shot \u2018Rice Field of Dreams\u2019 and chronicled the baseball players\u2019 lives?<\/strong><\/p>\n DK<\/strong>: It was really hard to bring myself back to the memories of my past. I am very lucky to be alive. During the Khmer Rouge, kids would be given a number to wear, and then they were executed. I could have been one of those kids. When I saw the team put on their jerseys, I became so inspired that the numbers meant a beginning and not an end. The team numbers have a meaning now that represents and honors Cambodia. I will never forget how proud these kids were when they stepped up and slated their name on camera, position, and the country they represent. It was amazing! DK<\/strong>: It was hard, because I didn\u2019t know that the countryside still was so devastated. I was really shocked. At the same time, I realized that this was an important journey to connect back with my roots and to start making a difference. The film started out as a traditional documentary. After I was there, I started reshaping the film. I decided to bring my audience on my journey and introduce them to Cambodia the way I saw it captured through my lens. I saw the beauty of my culture by filming more of a cinema-verte style instead of following traditional documentary style. <\/p>\n SY: \u2018Rice Field of Dreams\u2019 is dedicated to the memory of your youngest sister, Vuthona. Do you hope the film will educate and remind viewers of the deprivations people suffer from in Southeast Asia?<\/strong><\/p>\n DK<\/strong>: I definitely want to educate and bring awareness of the past and present day struggles of people in Southeast Asia as well the world. I wanted to dedicate the film in memory of my little sister because she was born in the refugee camp. She didn\u2019t have a chance in this world, because she was born disabled. The last week of locking picture on ‘Rice Field,’ I got a call from my father that my little sister had passed away. I was saddened by the news, but I knew that she was going to a better place where she will be pain free and happy. By dedicating the movie to her, it brings me peace and gives me more strength to move forward and finish the film strong.<\/p>\n SY: After coming to America and attending film school here, you have stated that you would like to meet with government and university officials in Cambodia to discuss founding a film school there. Why do you feel it\u2019s important to create a film school in your native country?<\/strong><\/p>\n
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\nSY: You returned to Cambodia after fleeing the country nearly 30 years ago to come live in America. What was it like returning to your home country to film \u2018Rice Field of Dreams,\u2019 your first feature-length documentary? <\/strong><\/p>\n
![\"Daron](\"http:\/\/www.shockya.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/daron-ker.jpg\" "\\"Daron")
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