The Royal Ballet of Cambodia 3 - School Graduation Ceremony (Hang Thun Hak, 1965)

Part 1    • The Royal Ballet of Cambodia 1 - Company D...  
Part 2    • The Royal Ballet of Cambodia 2 - Dance Sch...  
Part 3    • The Royal Ballet of Cambodia 3 - School Gr...  

The Royal Ballet of Cambodia, directed by Hang Thun Hak in 1965, is a captivating documentary that offers a rare window into the cultural heritage of Cambodia’s royal dance tradition. At approximately 80 minutes long, the film unfolds in three parts, each showcasing different facets of this revered art form.

The first segment brings the viewer into the mystical narrative of the origins of Angkor, depicted through an evocative performance by the Royal Ballet company. The second part transports us to the heart of artistic culture at the Royal Palace in Phnom Penh, where we observe both boys and girls immersed in dance instruction, dress rehearsals, costume preparation, and mask-making—all under the tutelage of dedicated teachers.

The film’s final section captures the grandeur of graduation ceremonies at the ballet school, including the presentation of novices to Queen Sisowath Kossamak Nearirath, the school’s patron, followed by a solo performance by Princess Norodom Buppha Devi herself.

Directed by Hang Thun Hak—who was also an influential academic and rector at the Royal University of Fine Arts—this documentary preserves a vivid cultural moment. It shines a light on how the Royal Ballet was taught, performed, and celebrated within Cambodia’s royal and cultural institutions of the mid-1960s.