Pisith Pilika (Khmer: ពិសិដ្ឋ ពីលីកា) (4 February 1965 – 6 July 1999), was a Cambodian ballet dancer and actress. Born Oak Eap Pili (Khmer: ឱក អៀបពីលី), Pilika appeared in hundreds of films and thousands of karaoke videos from the 1980s through the 1990s. Her career was brought to a premature end when she was murdered in broad daylight at O'Russey Market in Phnom Penh. Though the crime amounted to one of the most high-profile killings in Cambodia's recent history, no suspects have ever been identified or arrested.
Piseth Pilika was born to Oak Harl and Meng Mony in Svay Rieng province. Her father was a professor who taught French at the University of Korokosol. She had two sisters, Divina and Daro; she herself being the oldest.
After both of her parents died under the Khmer Rouge, Pilika and her two sisters were raised by their uncle. They changed their names to Sao Pili, Sao Divina, and Sao Daro (respectively) after their uncle, Sao Piseth. Sao Daro, the youngest sister, died later on, leaving behind the two sisters. Pili began to study Cambodian cultural dance in 1980, supported by her aunt, Meng Sonali, a teacher at the School of Fine Arts. She completed her studies in 1988 and continued to work for the school as a lead dancer. Because of her perceived talent and beauty, she had begun to gain popularity. She was invited to star in her own film called Sromorl Anthakal (Shadow of Darkness) by Wat Phnom Productions. By that time she had become a well-known figure in Cambodia. In 1989, she changed her name to Piseth Pilika.
Personal lifeedit
Pilika had been very involved in filmmaking, through which she came to meet Khai Praseth, also a well-known actor. The two played together in several films and music videos. They were married in 1990. In 1992, their first child, Kai Seth Lesak, was born. Pilika starred in more than 60 films and was in numerous advertisements. Apart from making films, she was also very active in stage performance. During her lifetime, she performed throughout Asia, Europe, and the United States.
Deathedit
On 6 July 1999, Pilika was shot by an unidentified male assailant while shopping at O'Russey Market in Phnom Penh. A seven-year-old niece was also wounded in the shooting. Pilika lay in critical condition in a hospital bed until 13 July 1999 6:30 am (UTC+7), when she died. Her funeral attracted 10,000 mourners—one of the largest-attended ceremonies in recent Cambodian history.
In October 1999, following Pilika's murder, the French magazine L'Express claimed that the actress' diary recounted a love affair with Cambodian Prime MinisterHun Sen, and pointed to Bun Rany, Hun Sen's wife, as responsible for arranging the shooting. The magazine also claimed that on her deathbed the actress had named Bun Rany to several people. Bun Rany quickly denounced these charges, and announced that she would press charges against L'Express for defamation.[1] The magazine responded by saying it had additional proof that it would produce in court if the threatened legal action went ahead. The alleged additional evidence included witnesses, documents, business papers, and personal objects of Hun Sen, which they said would prove the prime minister was involved in an affair with Pilika and that his wife had her killed out of jealousy. L'Express journalist Alain Louyot said the diary itself had been verified through handwriting and fingerprint analysis.[2] No charges were brought against L'Express.[3]
The murder of Pilika remains unsolved and no suspects have been identified. Kek Galabru, president of the Cambodian League for the Promotion and Defence of Human Rights (LICADHO), described the lack of progress in the case as yet another example of the problem of impunity in Cambodia.[4] In January 2003 Piseth Pilika: A True and Horrible Story was published, which contained extracts from the slain star's alleged personal diaries, in which she details an illicit love affair with a high-ranking official and threats against her life by the official's jealous wife. The book sold well until it was taken from shelves by undercover and uniformed police officers, giving further credence to an alleged coverup.[5]
Hello Ozone Live Interview (Pilika talks about moments of her life such as her divorce from former-Cambodian actor Kai Prosith and the death of her parents.) (1997)
Akasa Neak Srey Pisith Pilika (History/Memories of Pisith Pilika) (1999)
^Post Staff (15 October 1999). "The Pelika affair: 'We have more,' say French". Phnom Penh Post. Retrieved 4 November 2014.
^Marcher, Anette (27 October 2000). "Bun Rany fails to act on Pelika diary". Phnom Penh Post. Retrieved 3 November 2014.
^Saroeun, Bou (6 July 2001). "Pelika's murderers remain free two years later". Phnom Penh Post. Retrieved 3 November 2014.
^Doyle, Kevin (29 January 2003). "Piseth Pilika Books Pulled From Stands". Cambodia Daily. Retrieved 2 November 2014.
External linksedit
Documentary Video: Piseth Pilika Assassination Cambodia Information Center - 12 May 2007
Phnom Penh Journal; A Strongman, a Slain Actress and a Tell-All Diary New York Times article By Seth Mydans, published: 3 December 1999
Autobiography purportedly written by Piseth Pelika published by the Phnom Penh Post 29 October 1999
December 08, 2023
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Pisith Pilika Khmer ព ស ដ ឋ ព ល ក 4 February 1965 6 July 1999 was a Cambodian ballet dancer and actress Born Oak Eap Pili Khmer ឱក អ បព ល Pilika appeared in hundreds of films and thousands of karaoke videos from the 1980s through the 1990s Her career was brought to a premature end when she was murdered in broad daylight at O Russey Market in Phnom Penh Though the crime amounted to one of the most high profile killings in Cambodia s recent history no suspects have ever been identified or arrested Pisith Pilika ព ស ដ ឋ ព ល ក BornOak Eap Pili 1965 02 04 4 February 1965Svay Rieng province CambodiaDied6 July 1999 1999 07 06 aged 34 Phnom Penh CambodiaYears active1979 1998SpouseKhai Praseth divorced Contents 1 Early life 2 Personal life 3 Death 4 Filmography 5 Live performances and documentaries 6 Music videos 7 See also 8 References 9 External linksEarly life editPiseth Pilika was born to Oak Harl and Meng Mony in Svay Rieng province Her father was a professor who taught French at the University of Korokosol She had two sisters Divina and Daro she herself being the oldest After both of her parents died under the Khmer Rouge Pilika and her two sisters were raised by their uncle They changed their names to Sao Pili Sao Divina and Sao Daro respectively after their uncle Sao Piseth Sao Daro the youngest sister died later on leaving behind the two sisters Pili began to study Cambodian cultural dance in 1980 supported by her aunt Meng Sonali a teacher at the School of Fine Arts She completed her studies in 1988 and continued to work for the school as a lead dancer Because of her perceived talent and beauty she had begun to gain popularity She was invited to star in her own film called Sromorl Anthakal Shadow of Darkness by Wat Phnom Productions By that time she had become a well known figure in Cambodia In 1989 she changed her name to Piseth Pilika Personal life editPilika had been very involved in filmmaking through which she came to meet Khai Praseth also a well known actor The two played together in several films and music videos They were married in 1990 In 1992 their first child Kai Seth Lesak was born Pilika starred in more than 60 films and was in numerous advertisements Apart from making films she was also very active in stage performance During her lifetime she performed throughout Asia Europe and the United States Death editOn 6 July 1999 Pilika was shot by an unidentified male assailant while shopping at O Russey Market in Phnom Penh A seven year old niece was also wounded in the shooting Pilika lay in critical condition in a hospital bed until 13 July 1999 6 30 am UTC 7 when she died Her funeral attracted 10 000 mourners one of the largest attended ceremonies in recent Cambodian history In October 1999 following Pilika s murder the French magazine L Express claimed that the actress diary recounted a love affair with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen and pointed to Bun Rany Hun Sen s wife as responsible for arranging the shooting The magazine also claimed that on her deathbed the actress had named Bun Rany to several people Bun Rany quickly denounced these charges and announced that she would press charges against L Express for defamation 1 The magazine responded by saying it had additional proof that it would produce in court if the threatened legal action went ahead The alleged additional evidence included witnesses documents business papers and personal objects of Hun Sen which they said would prove the prime minister was involved in an affair with Pilika and that his wife had her killed out of jealousy L Express journalist Alain Louyot said the diary itself had been verified through handwriting and fingerprint analysis 2 No charges were brought against L Express 3 The murder of Pilika remains unsolved and no suspects have been identified Kek Galabru president of the Cambodian League for the Promotion and Defence of Human Rights LICADHO described the lack of progress in the case as yet another example of the problem of impunity in Cambodia 4 In January 2003 Piseth Pilika A True and Horrible Story was published which contained extracts from the slain star s alleged personal diaries in which she details an illicit love affair with a high ranking official and threats against her life by the official s jealous wife The book sold well until it was taken from shelves by undercover and uniformed police officers giving further credence to an alleged coverup 5 Filmography editSmomoul Antaka 1989 Beisach Kramum 1991 Sranah Klen Srae Morm 1992 Chan Greoufa 1993 Chhnam Oun 16 1993 Reahu Chap Chan 1993 Preah Vesandar 1993 Pech Min Toan Chhnai 1993 Pov Malis Lea 1993 Pramat Pramaong 1994 Neang Badaja 1994 Somlang Tror Khmer 1994 Bopha Puos Vaek 1994 Phka Angkearbuos 1995 Moronameata 1995 Picheyvongsa 1996 Baksa Jak Meik 1996 Proloeng Areak Oun Teak Nissay 1997 Live performances and documentaries editRobam Tep Monorum 1986 Robam Reamke 1996 Hello Ozone Live Interview Pilika talks about moments of her life such as her divorce from former Cambodian actor Kai Prosith and the death of her parents 1997 Akasa Neak Srey Pisith Pilika History Memories of Pisith Pilika 1999 Pisith Pilika Assassination Who Killed Pisith Pilika 2000 Music videos edit1 Bomram Kromum 1990 with Kai Prasith 2 Tov Leng Aranh 1991 CM Musical 3 Robam Kane 1992 from Sronos Klen Srae Maom 4 June Po Politakam Angkorwat 1992 5 Pka Reek Bang Sluk 1992 from Preah Vesandor 6 Tomnuonh Neang Metrei 1992 from Preah Vesandor 7 Preah Vesandor 1992 8 Pka Euy Pka Putrea 1992 from Chan Greofa 9 Kompleang Anuksavary 1992 from Chnam Oun 16 10 Chouk Rath Meas Bong 1992 11 Oh Duong Dara 1993 12 Sompors Neary Khmer Preah Vihear vol 8 1994 13 Sronoss Dey Khmer Preap Meas vol 8 1994 14 Omtuke Rosai Rosat Preap Meas vol 8 1994 15 Kae Chaet Chol Chnam Preah Vihear vol 2 1996 16 Somlung Saek Meas Preah Vihear vol 3 1996 17 Jompa Koss Thmey Preah Vihear vol 3 1996 18 Mae Pteas Lek Muoy Number 1 Housewife Chlangden vol 5 1996 19 Bau Pkay Nao Tae Reas Preah Vihear vol 9 1997 20 Komrong Pka Puong Preah Vihear vol 18 1997 21 Kromum Reus Pdey Rasmey Hang Meas vol 13 1997 22 Yup Menh Pleang Tum Rasmey Hang Meas vol 13 1997 23 Anuksavary Angkor Golden CD vol 4 1998 24 Reatrey Saen Monorum Angkorwat vol 21 1998 25 Luoch Snae Duong Chan Rasmey Neakreach 1998 See also edit nbsp Cambodia portalKong Bunchhoeun Hok Lundy Heng Pov Tat Marina Touch SunnixReferences edit Marston John 2000 Camboya Asia Pacifico No 7 pp 138 168 available at https www academia edu 8745773 Cambodia 2000 Post Staff 15 October 1999 The Pelika affair We have more say French Phnom Penh Post Retrieved 4 November 2014 Marcher Anette 27 October 2000 Bun Rany fails to act on Pelika diary Phnom Penh Post Retrieved 3 November 2014 Saroeun Bou 6 July 2001 Pelika s murderers remain free two years later Phnom Penh Post Retrieved 3 November 2014 Doyle Kevin 29 January 2003 Piseth Pilika Books Pulled From Stands Cambodia Daily Retrieved 2 November 2014 External links editDocumentary Video Piseth Pilika Assassination Cambodia Information Center 12 May 2007 Phnom Penh Journal A Strongman a Slain Actress and a Tell All Diary New York Times article By Seth Mydans published 3 December 1999 Autobiography purportedly written by Piseth Pelika published by the Phnom Penh Post 29 October 1999 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Pisith Pilika amp oldid 1166382444, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
