ក្រោយម៉ោង១២យប់ . AFTER 12

One late night, after a party, I walked home along Tonle Sap riverside at Sisowath quay. In the darkness, I noticed something unclear in front of someone’s house. Moving closer, I realized it was a man sleeping on his bag, with his baby in his arms. Frankly, I was a little drunk, and I stood there, frozen, to observe this moment of human life. With my camera in hand, using only the light of the streetlights, I instinctively took a photograph without asking permission. Exhausted, the man opened his eyes briefly but, without concern for my presence, went back to sleep. After taking this first photograph, I decided to wander in Phnom Penh after midnight to take photographs.

Through “After 12”, I learned there are other reasons for being on the streets besides poverty.  It could also be due to disability, exile, sexuality, family issues, and violence.

After 12, a home with no room …

Phnom Penh, 2011