The Good, The Bad & George Pell

Published on May 10, 2020 by Luke Hunt

A podcast with Michael Parer, former Catholic cleric, who is forthright on the Church, George Pell and his work in Cambodia. He also talks about how he got to Southeast Asia, and his family — Damien Parer, the World War II combat cameraman was his uncle and but one of the Parers with strong ties to the region. Listen here..

The Last Reel

Published on Apr 17, 2020 by Luke Hunt

For everyone on the planet; locked down, bored, tired of planning home renos that will never get done once the pandemic is over? Then watch this terrific award winning movie, The Last Reel, from Cambodia by Hanuman Films who are offering a free watch. Click Here.Directed by Kulikar Sotho. With Rous Mony, Ma Rynet, Dy Saveth, Hun Sophy.

Hollywood in Cambodia

Published on Apr 11, 2020 by Luke Hunt

A podcast with travel writer and film producer Nick Ray who has had a wide range of roles during his career in Southeast Asia focused on mainland Southeast Asia. He has written the best-selling Lonely Planet Cambodia guidebook for more than 20 years, as well as contributing to other country guides on Laos, Myanmar, and Vietnam, along with Indonesia, Uganda and Zambia as well. In recent years, he has also left his mark in film and Hollywood through his family company Hanuman Films.Ray speaks with Luke Hunt about his work on films, including Tomb Raider with Hollywood actress Angelina Jolie. Listen here..

Peter Miles: 1931-2019

Published on Dec 26, 2019 by Luke Hunt

Born March 16. 1931. Narrabri, NSW, Australia - Passed away December 26, 2019, North Lantau Hospital, Hong Kong, aged 88. It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Dr. Peter Hunt Miles, beloved husband of Barbara (nee Pau) and father of Andrew.A funeral service will be held at St. Joseph's Church, 37 Garden Road, Central, Hong Kong on 20th January 2020 at 10:30 am Friends and acquaintances of the Miles family are invited to join the service and a celebration of Peter's life to be held on the same day at Dining Room at the Foreign Correspondents' Club, 2 Lower Albert Rd, Central, Hong Kong from 3:30pm - 6:30pm. In lieu of flowers, there will be donation....

Winifred Hunt: 1936-2019

Published on Jun 16, 2019 by Luke Hunt

Winfred Hunt nee Hayes (wife of Brian dec.) passed away, suddenly on February 9, 2019, after suffering a stroke at her home in Melbourne. Born in Elmore in 1936, Win was an accomplished pianist in her younger years, raised four children, worked as a librarian and proof reader making a significant contribution to the Punji Trap, authored by her son Luke. More than 120 people attended her funeral at St Anthony’s Catholic Church in Carnegie, Melbourne. .

A Podcast with Travel Writer Stuart McDonald

Published on Jun 16, 2019 by Luke Hunt

In 2004, journalists Stuart McDonald and Samantha Brown established Travelfish, an independent online guide for travelers in Southeast Asia that has earned a reputation for not pulling its punches in an industry too often dominated by slick advertising and hype. He spoke with Luke Hunt and The Diplomat. Listen Here.

Hurley Scroggins: 1961-2018

Published on Oct 6, 2018 by Luke Hunt

Hurley Scroggins, journalist and owner of what was the greatest little bar in Phnom Penh, passed away on October 4. Following the closure of Cantina, Michael Hayes, co-founder and former publisher of the Phnom Penh Post, detailed last drinks at a watering hole to be sorely missed, which stands as a fitting tribute to a generous and intelligent man whose wit was boundless, and will also be sorely missed.Adios Cantina. Viva Hurley!By Michael HayesOne of Phnom Penh’s most legendary venues closes tonight.Cantina, the restaurant cum watering hole and brainchild of Hurley Scroggins III, will shut its creaky, iron gate on the riverside late tonight for the last time—probably after midnight–and end a memorable and historic chapter in the life of....

Shah Marai: 1977-2018

Published on May 1, 2018 by Luke Hunt

Shah Marai Faizi, a dedicated family man, a brave and terrific colleague, friend and accomplished war photographer was killed in Kabul, Monday April 30. Twenty-five people, including nine journalists, were killed in the double suicide bombing. ISIS later claimed responsibility. A BBC reported was shot dead on the same day.Marai initially worked as a driver for Agence-France Presse (AFP) during the civil war between the Taliban and the Northern Alliance led by Ahamad Shah Masood. He took photographs part-time, learning from veterans in the AFP office. He became a full time photographer in late 1999.Read more  .

Channthy Kak: 1980-2018

Published on Mar 23, 2018 by Luke Hunt

As lead singer of the Cambodian Space Project and as a solo performer, Kak Channthy mesmerized and arguably did more for the rebirth of the Cambodian music scene than any other performer since peace was established in the country in 1998.She died this week, aged 38, after the tuk-tuk she was traveling in was reportedly struck by a car. News of her death flooded online media with tributes pouring in from across Cambodia and much further afield.Read more..

Cross Culture: Lestari Girls

Published on Mar 21, 2018 by Luke Hunt

The Diplomat’s Luke Hunt interviews the stars of Lestari Girls.When Ningsih Millane arrived in Australia as a young wife in 1987 from Indonesia she had left behind a life and an art-loving family that spanned the archipelago from Ambon in the west to Makassar in the far east.But she also brought with her an education in traditional dance, puppetry, and fluency in five Indonesian dialects. Two years later, with more than a touch of homesickness, she established Sanggar Lestari – a studio which enjoys a formidable reputation for dance and fusion.The stars of her program are the 13-strong Lestari Girls.They will shortly tour Indonesia where Lestari is establishing a name for itself with domestic audiences entranced by the idea of....