Animated film

Funan (2019): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot

Name: Funan
Genre: Animation
Released: 2019-06-07
Duration: 1 h 24 min
Cast: Bérénice Bejo, Louis Garrel, Brice Montagne, Céline Ronté, Maxime Baudoin

Funan is a 2019 animated film directed by Denis Do, starring Bérénice Bejo as Chou, Louis Garrel and Brice Montagne. It runs 1 hour 24 minutes and earned $15,152 worldwide. Critics gave it 93% on Rotten Tomatoes and 79 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.9/10.

IMDb rating: 6.9/10
Rotten Tomatoes: 93%
worldwide gross: $15.2K
Echo Score: 80

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Released: June 7, 2019
Runtime: 1h 24m (84 min)
Director: Denis Do
Genre: Animation
Original language: French
Studio: GKIDS
After the credits: No No extra scene

The story

What Is Funan About?

The premise of Funan without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

During the Khmer Rouge regime in 1975 Cambodia, a young woman named Chou experiences a life-altering upheaval. Forced to leave her four-year-old son behind, she faces grueling labor and harsh conditions in work camps. Despite the immense challenges, Chou's resolve to reunite her family fuels her, leading her to undertake a perilous journey in search of hope and eventual redemption.

Funan Themes & Keywords

· 35 tags

one word title
no opening credits
cambodia
phnom penh cambodia
1970s
year 1975
khmer rouge
little boy
separated family
separation from family
river crossing
cutting hair

+23 more

hunger
boat
leech
frog
illness
death
duck
night
escape
train
ant
year 1977
full moon
food
suicide
suicide by hanging
setting a fire
fire
execution
year 1978
what happened to epilogue
title at the end
stabbing

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Cast & crew

Funan Cast & Characters

Bérénice Bejo leads the cast as Chou, with Louis Garrel as Khuon and Brice Montagne as Meng. Directed by Denis Do; 12 actors are credited in all.

Director Denis Do

Also Starring in Funan

· 8 more

Ratings

Funan Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Funan 93% on Rotten Tomatoes and 79 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.9/10. Our Echo Score gives it 80/100, strongest in art & craft (90) and weakest in rewatch factor (65).

80 /100

Funan Echo Score Breakdown

Funan excels in delivering a poignant and visually striking exploration of historical tragedy. Reviews highlight its seamless integration of immersive animation with a deeply personal narrative that foregrounds daily struggles under genocide while maintaining narrative cohesion. Even critics noting uneven narrative context acknowledge the film’s emotional impact and technical accomplishment. The consistent appreciation for its emotional resonance and visual craftsmanship positions Funan as a compelling and memorable viewing experience.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

Art & Craft 90

In terms of art and craft, Funan delivers striking animation and meticulous visual composition. Observers praise its immersive color palette and precision editing that underscore the film’s tense atmosphere. The production design evokes period authenticity through detailed settings and layered imagery. Together, these elements form a cohesive visual identity that enhances the film’s dramatic impact.
Character & Emotion 80

When it comes to character and emotion, Funan offers a deeply personal portrayal of resilience and loss. The central figures are rendered with sincerity, capturing nuanced emotional shifts amid hardship. The intimate focus on daily struggles fosters empathy, although some viewers noted limited development of supporting roles. Overall, the performances ground the narrative in genuine feeling.
Story & Flow 70

In terms of story and flow, Funan offers a compelling yet occasionally uneven narrative. Reviewers note the deliberate pacing of key sequences that build emotional tension, though some narrative conveniences and unelaborated historical context reduce cohesion. The film’s focus on intimate vignettes sustains engagement, delivering a clear dramatic trajectory despite intermittent structural lapses.
Sensory Experience 88

When it comes to sensory experience, Funan delivers an immersive audiovisual landscape. Critics commend the lush animation style and evocative sound design that amplify the film’s emotional gravity. The musical score complements visual tension, marrying subtle motifs with moments of heightened sorrow. Collectively, these sensory elements establish a powerful atmosphere that resonates throughout the viewing experience.
Rewatch Factor 65

For rewatch factor, Funan presents a challenging yet memorable experience. Its intense subject matter and heavy emotional weight may limit repeated viewings, but the film’s craftsmanship and poignant themes encourage thoughtful revisiting. While the narrative’s intensity can feel overwhelming, viewers invested in its historical inquiry and emotional depth will find lasting value upon subsequent viewings.

IMDb

6.9 /10
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Rotten Tomatoes

93% Tomatometer

Popcornmeter 81%
See on Rotten Tomatoes
Metacritic

79 Metascore

User score 6.8
See on Metacritic
TMDB

69% User score
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Letterboxd

3.7 /5

8 ratings
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Movie Insider

1.0 /5
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Plot

Funan Plot Summary

What happens in Funan from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 14 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

In Phnom Penh, Chou lives with her husband Khuon, their youngest son Sovanh, and the extended family, including Khuon’s brother Meng, Chou’s mother Mom and their grandmother, along with their other children Hout, Tuch, and Lili. In 1975, the Khmer Rouge topple the government and force the family to evacuate the city. On the brutal journey, Sovanh and his grandmother become separated from the group, and the guards forbid Chou from trying to locate them.