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Hi, I'm Jean-Luc and I produced
and directed the lipdub
with the Cambodian kids
I hope the movie made you smile
and maybe even laugh
For me, it has been life changing
and I'd like to tell you why
When I met the kids
from the Learning Foundation
I was immediately touched
by their joy and optimism
Despite their very basic lifestyle
they keep those big smiles
on their faces
which is simply heartwarming
They are materially poor
but their spirit is inspiring
I couldn't stop thinking
about that proverb
Happiness is not having what you want
but wanting what you have
That's the beautiful message
they reminded me
and that I tried to express
in the movie
It was very hard for the kids
to understand what we were trying to do
Showing them other lipdubs
on a tiny 13" screen
did not help them understand either
But they were excited about doing it
and became even more so
when I promised I would take them
to see a big production
after the shooting
So tell them this is the video
of the show the Smile of Angkor
that they are gonna see
on Saturday night
On Saturday
In the evening
if we have the authorization
from your parents
we will all go together
to Angkor Kyung U
And that's really the reason why
I'm doing all of this
Giving these kids
a field trip from daily life
and witnessing their excitement
brought me an amazing feeling
After the shooting
I threw a party to thank the kids
for their hard work
It was fun to see the kids dancing
to completely different styles of music
They enjoyed western music
as much as Khmer pop songs
After the party
the 300 children boarded buses
and we went to the show
Most of them live on less
than a dollar a day
and a ticket for the show
cost 50 dollars
There's no chance
they would have seen it
without our help
Fortunately, the staff of the show
agreed to offer complimentary tickets
for everyone
and I want to wholeheartedly thank
the whole staff of Smile of Angkor
for allowing the children to see it
My direct contact at Smile of Angkor
Annie, deserves special recognition
as she has done this in the past
for other children
They absolutely loved the show
When I saw the children
gawking with amazement during the show
that's when I knew
my life was taking a deep turn
I felt that I was meant to be there
and the feeling of fulfillment
was indescribable
The highlight of the evening
occurred after the show
With the help of the technical staff
from the Smile of Angkor
we played the lipdub
on the theater's 100 foot screen
My heart literally melted
Even 30 minutes after the screening
it was still racing
We showed the video
to each class at the school
and each time
I felt the same joy
It was interesting to see
the different reactions they had
These kids can't afford to buy a camera
So they are not used to see themselves
in movies or even pictures
Some of them were hypnotized
A lot of them laughed out loud
But fore sure, all of them
will remember that moment forever
and I will too
especially that little girl Srey Nuch
who was at every screening
So next time you are
in Siem Reap Cambodia
go visit them
I can guarantee you will have
an unforgettable experience
Meeting foreigners
is an efficient way for them
to practice their English
If you have a few weeks
the Learning Foundation
is always accepting volunteers
A working knowledge of English
is a prerequisite
to ensuring the development of Cambodia
Please help us give these children
a chance for a brighter future
by donating your time
or other items
such as food, school provisions
or medical supplies
If you can't visit Cambodia
you can still support
The Learning Foundation's projects
with monetary donations
The Learning Foundation's first
and foremost priority
is to spread their program
of English education
at the primary school level
to other government schools
throughout Cambodia
Thank you for watching
I'll see you soon