City of Ghosts (2002)

User Rating:

5.9/10   

Director:

Matt Dillon

Writers (WGA):

Matt Dillon (written by) &
Barry Gifford (written by)

Release Date:

27 March 2003 (Israel)

Genre:

Crime | Drama | Thriller

Tagline:

where you go when you can't turn back.

Plot:

A con man (Dillon) travels to Cambodia (also on the run from law enforcement in the U.S.) to collect his share in an insurance scam, but discovers more than he bargained for...

Plot Keywords:

Cambodia | Con Man | Fog | Skeleton | Male Bonding

Cast

Matt Dillon	...	Jimmy
James Caan	...	Marvin
Natascha McElhone	...	Sophie
Gérard Depardieu	...	Emile (as Gerard Depardieu)
Kem Sereyvuth	...	Sok (as Sereyvuth Kem)
Stellan Skarsgård	...	Joseph Kaspar
Rose Byrne	...	Sabrina
Shawn Andrews	...	Robbie
Chalee Sankhavesa	...	Sideth
Christopher Curry	...	Larry Luckman
Rob Campbell	...	Simon (as Robert Campbell)
Bernard Merklen	...	Gerard
Jack Shearer	...	FBI Agent Burden
Kirk Fox	...	FBI Agent Philips
Kyoza	...	Rocky
Abhijati 'Meuk' Jusakul	...	Ming Chew (as Abhijati Jusakul)
Gennady Fleyscher	...	Nevesky
Vladimir Yepifanov	...	Nevesky Thug (as Vladamir Epifanov)
Jouni Johannes Anttones	...	Nevesky Thug
Rided Lardpanna	...	Heng
Michael Hayes	...	Harry - American Ex-pat
Pok Panhavicyetr	...	Dr. Bopha
Suon Bou Loto	...	Red Tuxedo Man (as Suon 'Loto' Bou)
Chim Sophal	...	Bar Kep Manager
Murray Wray	...	Backpacker
Dean B. Cornish	...	Backpacker
Srai Lin	...	Buddhist Nun
Anvanith Gui	...	Mr. Fung
Peun Pad	...	Bo Tree Man
Ang Cheata	...	Bellville Boy
Vanna	...	Buffalo Boy
Som Sophiak	...	Laughing Lotus Thug
Phoeuk Sokhen	...	Laughing Lotus Girl
Seth Sophiak	...	Laughing Lotus Girl
Sor Chandara	...	Laughing Lotus Mamasan
Kong Senghiene	...	Laughing Lotus Papasan
Ian 'Snowy' Woodford	...	Australian Ex-pat (as Ian 'Snow' Woodford)
Jon Chan Lakana	...	Bar Kep Girl
Nuon Mony Rath	...	Bar Kep Girl
Pin Yatheam	...	Bar Kep Girl
Meng Bopha	...	Bar Kep Girl
Em Tep Sophea	...	Sen (as Em Tepsophea)
Polin	...	Mover
Bettina Schunter	...	Carol
Sa Eum	...	Somnang
Saichea Wongwivoj	...	Casino Man
Seng Kawee	...	Casino Man (as Kawee Sirikanerat)
Run Rosa	...	Orphanage Boy
Thou Soth	...	Wat Sarawan Pa Monk
Jadet	...	The Monkey
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Barbara Christie	...	Shelter Victim (uncredited)
Leo Fitzpatrick	...	(uncredited)
Bo Hopkins	...	Teddy (uncredited)
Kathryn Johnston	...	Shelter Victim (uncredited)

Directed by
Matt Dillon

Writing credits (WGA)
Matt Dillon		(written by) &
Barry Gifford		(written by)

Produced by
Willi Bär	....	producer (as Willi Baer)
Michael Cerenzie	....	producer
Olivier Granier	....	co-producer (as Oliver Granier)
J.B. Meyer	....	co-producer
Deepak Nayar	....	producer
Nicholas Simon	....	associate producer
Rony Yacov	....	line producer (as Rony Yakov)
Marc Sferrazza	....	executive producer (uncredited)

Original Music by
Tyler Bates

Cinematography by
Jim Denault

Film Editing by
Howard E. Smith

Casting by
Felicia Fasano
Anne McCarthy
Mary Vernieu

Production Design by
David Brisbin

Art Direction by
Lek Chaiyan Chunsuttiwat		(as Lek Chaiyan)

Set Decoration by
William A. Cimino

Costume Design by
Moji Sangi

Makeup Department
Songniwat Korpob	....	hair stylist (as Songniwat 'Noi' Korpob)
Raissa Patton	....	key hair stylist
June Westmore	....	key makeup artist
Ardit Yeamchavee	....	makeup artist (as Ardit 'Kwang' Yeamchavee)

Production Management
Danny Ben Menahem	....	executive in charge of production (as Danny Ben-Menachem)
Christopher A. Debiec	....	production supervisor
Chris Lowenstein	....	production manager: Bangkok, Thailand
Claudia Sumner	....	post-production supervisor
P. Tim	....	production supervisor: Bangkok, Thailand
Rony Yacov	....	unit production manager
Ken Halsband	....	production manager (uncredited)
Pamela Thur	....	production manager: New York (uncredited)

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
William Paul Clark	....	first assistant director (as William P. Clark)
Chedpong Laoyant	....	second assistant director: Thailand (as Cherdpong Laoyont)
Dawn Massaro	....	second assistant director
Nicholas Simon	....	second unit director

Art Department
Eva Tep Bruce	....	art department coordinator
Sarawut Chincharoen	....	lead man
Joanne Craig	....	assistant property master
Joanne Craig	....	on-set dresser
Choung Chan Fibora	....	draftsman
Robyn Glaser	....	property master
Will Grant	....	greensman (as William Grant)
Vasu Kantatham	....	assistant art director: Bangkok (as Vasu 'A' Kantatham)
Colin McGreal	....	sketch artist (as Colin Mcgreal)
Tiwa Punprasert	....	construction coordinator
Somwang Rattanasirivanich	....	assistant art director (as Somwang 'Wang' Rattanasirivanich)
Kim Rith	....	draftsman
Hjul Samoeun	....	assistant property master (as Hul Samoeun)
Hurley Scroggins	....	set decorating buyer
Yin Soeum	....	set decorating buyer
Surasak Sritapanya	....	construction foreman
Witoon Suanyai	....	lead man
Boontawee 'Tor' Taweepasas	....	construction foreman: Bangkok, Thailand
Thanadech 'Ben' Thananorrakarn	....	assistant props: Bangkok, Thailand
Warakarn Waruttamangkoon	....	construction foreman: Bangkok, Thailand
Paul DeBlois	....	assistant to the art department (uncredited)

Sound Department
Joe Barnett	....	sound re-recording mixer
Michael J. Broomberg	....	foley artist (as Michael Broomberg)
Weldon Brown	....	adr mixer
Susan Cahill	....	assistant sound editor
Jed M. Dodge	....	dialogue editor
Alex Epstine	....	boom operator (as Alexander Epshtein)
Marc Fishman	....	sound re-recording mixer
Alan Freedman	....	adr mixer
Jason George	....	supervising sound editor
Robert Getty	....	dialogue editor
David Grant	....	dialogue editor
George Haddad	....	sound effects editor
Craig Jurkiewicz	....	foley editor
Cham Roeun Kim	....	cable person
Aaron Levy	....	stage recordist
Diane Marshall	....	foley artist (as S. Diane Marshall)
Michael Mullane	....	sound effects editor
Lucy Sustar	....	foley mixer
Eli Yarkoni	....	production sound mixer
Richard Hocks	....	adr mixer (uncredited)
Daryl Lathrop	....	foley recordist (uncredited)
Leon Minas	....	adr mixer (uncredited)

Special Effects by
Surin Keanthong	....	special effects assistant
Sweang Nenyod	....	special effects assistant
Rangsun Rangsimaporn	....	special effects coordinator

Visual Effects by
Adam Benton	....	digital matte artist
Minky Billups	....	lead compositor
Scott Billups	....	visual effects supervisor
Chris Buchakjian	....	digital effects artist
Tim Cutt	....	digital effects artist
Ralph Fairweather	....	digital effects artist
Brian Fortenberry	....	optical lineup
Josh Levine	....	digital effects artist
Mark Edwards	....	visual effects producer (uncredited)

Stunts
Keith Adams	....	stunt coordinator
Anoon Gruaykangploo	....	stunts
Seng Kawee	....	stunt coordinator (as Kawee Sirikhanaerut)
Krittiya Lardphanna	....	stunts
Suban Phusoi	....	stunts (as Suban Phuso)
Sombat Wantanorm	....	stunts

Camera and Electrical Department
Sam Chantha	....	video assistant
Johnny Erbes-Chan	....	key grip
Chantri Kriangkraisorn	....	dolly grip (as Chantri 'Sprite' Kriangkraisorn)
Ritticom Manonom	....	second assistant camera (as Rittikorn 'Neong' Manonom)
Scott Miller	....	chief lighting technician (as Scotty Miller)
Roland Neveu	....	still photographer
Voranon Paipad	....	camera loader (as Woranon Paipad)
John Pirozzi	....	camera operator
John Pirozzi	....	cinematographer: second unit
Visal Sea	....	video assistant
Cheap Sovichea	....	assistant camera
Joshua Van Praag	....	assistant lighting technician
Tom Vulliez	....	second company grip
Aurelia Winborn	....	first assistant camera (as Aurelia J. Winborn)
Eric Morin	....	assistant camera (uncredited)

Casting Department
Mono Khan Keo	....	casting assistant
Raweeporn 'Non' Srimonju	....	casting: S.E. Asia
Oum Vuthy	....	extras casting

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Sevilla Granger	....	costume buyer
Punchaporn Perkpan	....	costumer
Supawan Rodkird	....	costumer
Mutita Na Songkla	....	costume supervisor (as Mutita 'Air' Songkla)

Editorial Department
Mindy Elliott	....	assistant editor
Mato	....	color timer
John Scott III	....	post-production assistant: Los Angeles
George Koran	....	telecine colorist (uncredited)

Music Department
Dondi Bastone	....	music supervisor
Greg Ellis	....	musician: bells, percussion
Michael Farrow	....	score mixer
Janna Jacoby	....	musician: violin/viola
Wolfgang Matthes	....	musician: synthesizer programming
Wolfgang Matthes	....	score mixer
Brian Richards	....	music editor
Pok 'Max' Saravuth	....	consultant: Cambodian music
Mark Skillingberg	....	assistant music editor
Cameron Stone	....	musician: cello

Transportation Department
Ilan Appel	....	transportation manager
Wanchai 'Jockey' Jaipongsai	....	transportation manager: Bangkok, Thailand
Sanit 'Bang-an' Lokhunpoom	....	assistant transportation manager: Bangkok, Thailand
Channa Ngoun	....	transportation: Cambodia
Oh	....	transportation manager
Suwimon Petcharayutporn	....	transportation manager: Bangkok, Thailand
Long Vong Sanith	....	picture car coordinator
Ung Savuth	....	transportation assistant

Other crew
Lylie Almedia	....	assistant production accountant (as Lylie Almeida)
Kwanwana 'Kwan' Seang Aroon	....	location assistant: Bangkok, Thailand (as Kwanwana 'Kwan' Seang A-Roon)
Sadana Bacha	....	set production assistant
Sebastian Blockley	....	dialogue coach
Pathomwat Boonyachalotorn	....	animal trainer
Tranlong Borin	....	assistant location manager
Mark Bowman	....	security officer
Charn 'Charn' Chatpathumthong	....	production assistant: Bangkok, Thailand
Laurie Dodsworth	....	post-production accountant: Los Angeles
Susan Dretzka	....	production coordinator: Los Angeles
Marina Grana	....	production coordinator
Todd Grove	....	production accountant
Ann Hanlon	....	assistant: Mr. Caan (as Ann M. Hanlon)
Secha Holloway	....	catering buyer
Crystal Sopheap Hul	....	assistant: Mr. Dillon
Crystal Sopheap Hul	....	translator
Pornpan Jormsak	....	production secretary: Bangkok, Thailand (as Pornpan 'Goong' Jormsak)
Tamir Kfir	....	camp manager
Tika Kong	....	set production assistant
Veasna Kong	....	assistant production coordinator
Khourn Meng Kry	....	set production assistant
Keaw 'Keaw' Lipiwongwattanakit	....	assistant accountant: Bangkok, Thailand
Dany Ly	....	liaison: Cambodia
Sey Meas	....	set production assistant
Lim Pagnia	....	office production assistant
Andrew Pendleton	....	security officer
Andrew Pendleton	....	senior consultant: Cambodia
Andrew Pendleton	....	translator
Santi Phaithoon	....	location manager (as Santi 'Tak' Phaithoon)
Henri Phimasset	....	liaison: Sud-Est
Gaye Pope	....	unit publicist
Kong Puthikar	....	office production assistant
Te Chan Rith	....	liaison: Kampot
Thanapon 'Viroj' Sabcharoen	....	caterer
Ilan Sagiv	....	camp manager
Somchai Santitarangkul	....	location manager: Bangkok, Thailand (as Somchai Santithyangkul)
David Schermerhorn	....	electronic press kit
Kanyarat 'Apple' Sealim	....	work permits: Bangkok, Thailand
Lisa Serra	....	assistant: Mr. Dillon
Avivah Sharon	....	travel arrangements
Chanakarn 'Jumbo' Sirisanti	....	production assistant: Bangkok, Thailand
Warakon Sitpat	....	production assistant: Bangkok, Thailand (as Warakon 'Keng' Sitpat)
Seang Solhea	....	first aid
Michael Sarun Srisomsub	....	location assistant: Bangkok, Thailand (as Michael Sarvn Srisomsub)
Mattana Suthammasa	....	production assistant: Bangkok, Thailand
Patricia Sutherland	....	production assistant: Los Angeles
Sudkamol Tangtham	....	location assistant: Bangkok, Thailand
Michael Taylor	....	script supervisor
Tamar Yacov	....	assistant to line producer

Thanks
Mao Auyath	....	thanks
Bernard Bouix	....	thanks
David Chandler	....	thanks
Oliver De Bernard	....	thanks
Princess Norodom Bopha Devi	....	thanks (as H.R.H. Princess Norodoh Bopha Devi)
Julian Goldberger	....	thanks
Michael Hayes	....	thanks
Tim Hunter	....	thanks
Khieu Kanharith	....	thanks (as H.E. Khieu Kanharith)
Romyda Keth	....	thanks
Mike Kieffer	....	thanks
Heng Monychenda	....	thanks
Mary Nayar	....	thanks
Yvette Pierpaoli	....	dedicatee
Ambassador Kenneth Quinn	....	thanks (as H.E. Ambassador Kenneth Quinn)
Edward Quinn Jr.	....	thanks
Kathy Schulman	....	thanks
Amy Louise Tripodi	....	thanks (as Amy Tripodi)
Rulf Von Bueren	....	thanks
Benny Widyono	....	thanks

Production Companies

• United Artists
• Mainline Pictures (as Mainline Productions)
• Banyan Tree
• Kintop Pictures (in association with)
• Living Films

Distributors

• Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Distributing Corporation (MGM) (2003) (USA) (theatrical) (as MGM Distribution Co.)
• United Artists (2003) (USA) (theatrical) (an MGM Company)
• Fandango
• MGM Home Entertainment (USA) (DVD)
• Movie Star (2003) (Brazil) (DVD)
• Movie Star (2003) (Brazil) (VHS)
• Prorom Media-Trade (2003) (Romania) (all media)
• Scanbox Entertainment (2003) (Sweden) (DVD)
• Universal Pictures Benelux (2005) (Netherlands) (DVD)

Other Companies

• American Playback Images (I)  stock footage provided by
• Asset Management  security
• Capitol Films  world sales
• Chace Optical Recording  optical sound negative
• Cinerent (Thailand) Co. Ltd.  camera lighting and crane equipment
• Film Finances  bond company
• Film Logic  shipping
• Joan Pearce Research Associates  legal clearances
• Living Films  production services: Thailand
• Magic Film and Video Works  negative cutting
• Ministry of Culture, Cambodia  thanks
• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)  stock footage provided by
• Prairie Pictures Stormstock  stock footage provided by
• Pueblo Film  world sales
• Soundelux  optical sound negative
• Soundelux  post-production sound services (as Todd/Soundelux)
• Storm Video  stock footage provided by
• Sud-Est  production services: Cambodia
• The Department of Cinema  thanks
• The Government of Cambodia  thanks
• Title House Digital  titles and opticals
• USI Entertainment Insurance Services  insurance

Also Known As:

Beneath the Banyan Trees (USA) (working title)

MPAA:

Rated R for language and some violence.

Runtime:

116 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English | French | Khmer | Russian

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Iceland:16 | USA:R (certificate #38928) | Finland:K-15 | Hungary:16 | Singapore:NC-16 | Spain:13 | Australia:M | Norway:15 | Canada:A (Ontario)

Filming Locations:

Bangkok, Thailand

Company:

United Artists

Trivia:

The black Mercedes-Benz, appearing in the movie, was built in 1973 and was formerly owned by the infamous leader of the Khmer Rogue, Pol Pot.

Quotes:

Sok: [about his military background] I never want to kill people again.

Soundtrack:

I Want a Little Girl

This movie takes you away

Yes the resolution of the movie was somewhat weak and contrived. But when I was sitting at the movie theater I was taken away to another place for the 2 hours that I was watching the movie. Having traveled in the third world I have to say that the movie captures perfectly the atmosphere of a place that is so far away that it could exist in another space and time as well as all the strange characters that tend to inhabit places like these. May be the movie does not do a good enough job of explaining things to those who have never visited a place with a different like Cambodia but I don't think it has to. Why do moviegoers expect the director to present everything neatly arranged on a platter? I was glad to go and see a movie that did not assume that I had no knowledge of history and no sense of what is happening in the Southeast Asia. While some of the characters may seem to be cliche I have actually met people like this while traveling. Local people are very friendly they have very tough lives but they open up in incredible ways if you try to get to know them as human beings. Part of the reason we go to movies is to be taken away. For two hours I was transported to a different world. Matt Dillon had enough sense to linger his shots to reflect the fact that times flows very differently in Cambodia. The contrast between the beauty and the serenity of Cambodia with the violence that goes there is great. I think the movie was absolutely magnificent (flawed but still beautiful)and one of the best I have seen in a long time.