Alum Arthur Dong Documents Life of Genocide Survivor Haing S.Ngor

SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE -- Dong’s 10th film project, and first since 2007, makes its world premiere Sunday, March 15, at the Castro Theatre as part of CAAMFest. “The Killing Fields of Dr. Haing S. Ngor” is Dong’s attempt to tell Ngor’s life story and that of Cambodia’s troubles through Ngor’s own words. To do this, he utilizes Ngor’s autobiography from the 1980s, archival footage and photographs, some helpful animation and entrancing narration: Ngor’s nephew, Wayne Ngor, who also survived work camps in Cambodia, speaks as Dr. Ngor. Dong, who lives with his partner and their 10-year-old son in Los Angeles, has in the past few years been inducted into Galileo High School’s hall of fame and was San Francisco State’s Alumnus of the Year, giving the commencement address before 20,000 graduates. But despite his latest honor, of being spotlighted — the equivalent of a career achievement award by the Center for Asian American Media — he is still restlessly searching for his next project.