Samedy Khun

Samedy Khun, 40’s 
USA/Cambodia
he/him

Current Role: Filmmaker

What racial, ethnic, cultural community or communities do you identify with? 
Cambodian.

When and how did your family come to the United States? Where were you born?
I was born in Battambang, Cambodia. Our family came to the US in the early 80's. We lived in Atlanta, Georgia, then hijacked the Greyhound all the way to California. 

What are the strengths and challenges of being Cambodian?
I tell myself that if my parents can survive during the Khmer Rouge, eating insects, reptiles, pretty much anything they could find, I shouldn't be complaining about my food being cold. 

What is your proudest accomplishment?
When I made stir fry chicken with veggies without burning down the house. I did burn half the garage at our old house. That wasn't the reason why we moved. 

What is one thing you learned or appreciate from your family growing up?
Appreciating every little thing we have because we didn't have much. I kept my alligator toy that my parents bought me when I was 5. I still have it 'til this day. The tail I bit off with my two buckteeth but everything else still intact. 

Do you speak your family's native language? Why or why not?
I learned Khmer from my parents yelling at me. Curse words came first, everything else later. But seriously, my mom and grandma were the ones who taught us how to speak Khmer. 

What advice do you have for the younger generations in our Asian, Asian American, and Pacific Islander community?
Be proud of who you are and where you came from. Don't forget that. Love yourself more than your PS5. Avoid negative people. It's better to have 1 genuine friend than 1000 fake friends and I'm not talking about your social media accounts. 

What gives you the greatest joy in life?
It all comes down to the little simple things in life. When I see other people smile, it makes me smile. :)

Are there any projects you have created that you'd like to share and promote?
​I have written a few screenplays. One is called, "Kungfused." It's a non-marital arts comedy. The second script is called, "Cambodian Dangerous" which is an action comedy. Notice how I like writing comedies. My only serious story is called, "The Last Apsara," an emotional story about a young girl who discovers she is the last blood line of Apsara. 

Instagram | IMDB

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