The girl with 'too much fire': surviving the Khmer Rouge, part 2

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In the Chinese tradition of Loung Ung's mother, the element of fire was dangerous in a daughter: too bold, too defiant, too difficult to control. But when the Khmer Rouge seized power in April 1975, that fire became Loung's greatest strength. Under Pol Pot’s brutal regime, Loung survived forced labour, was trained as a child soldier, and endured the loss of both parents and two siblings. Now, Loung is chosen by the remaining family to flee to the US with her older brother and sister-in-law. But adapting to life in a foreign land is tough, especially while struggling with PTSD. More than anything, she longs to reunite with her beloved sister Chou, who was left behind in Cambodia. Years later her memoir, First They Killed My Father, caught the attention of Angelina Jolie, who adapted it into a film about Loung's childhood. This episode contains an instance of outdated racial language, and is the second of two programmes about Loung's story. Loung's memoirs are called First They Killed My Father, Lucky Child, and Lulu in the Sky. Presenter: Asya Fouks Producer: Emily Naylor Get in touch: [email protected] or WhatsApp +44 330 678 2707 (Photo: Loung Ung on her arrival to the US in 1980 with her brother and sister-in-law. Credit: Loung Ung)