For some, heritage can be a complicated subject. Johnny Phan grew up balancing his Cambodian heritage with American life. As a son of refugees, Johnny - an elite cyclist and a new father – takes to his bike to navigate a journey of identity that takes him to the other side of the world.
A new documentary titled Chasing Cambodia from filmmakers Kyle Jonas, Ben Saunders, Joey Schihl and VPM explores one cyclist’s journey to finding the balance between his Cambodian heritage and his American upbringing.
Join VPM at The Byrd Theater on Saturday, May 3 for a special screening of the documentary and a panel discussion with the producers and Johnny Phan. Tickets are free, but registration is required. Attendees can secure tickets, find parking and view a schedule for the event here.
“For so many people who look like me and have a somewhat similar experience as me, feeling fully one thing was never a part of our story,” said Johnny. “As a lifelong Richmonder, I was pumped when VPM decided to partner with Chasing Cambodia. From the very first coffee meeting, it was evident that they were passionate about sharing the stories of people in their community. With this project, we get to share a piece of what brought many Cambodian families to Richmond, in the 80s and early 90s, to seek refuge”
Chasing Cambodia follows Johnny as he learns what it means to fully embrace his heritage in a world that tells him he’s neither fully American nor fully Cambodian.
“I’m extremely proud of this film and the team that got it across the finish line. So much of our own individual experiences and even the way that we approached our work on this project are folded into the story,” said producer Joey Schihl. “We have said from the beginning that the bike is really a vessel for the bigger journey that Johnny experienced over the last few years. At this point, I really can’t imagine trying to piece together this narrative without the support of the cycling community.”
As a Richmond, community-based organization with a reach both locally and globally, VPM is the perfect partner for the film. The story connects two geographic regions that are almost entirely opposite each other on the globe by using a very accessible medium and by covering a topic that is relatable on a variety of levels.
“Johnny’s story, told through his passion for cycling, is about belonging, community and finding out what matters,” said VPM Chief Content Officer Steve Humble. “VPM is committed to sharing arts and culture content, and telling stories that build empathy and understanding is so important. Partnering with Joey and the team at Adelicia has been wonderful and we’re very excited to share this film.”
Watch a trailer for Chasing Cambodia below.
