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Drama

White Building (2023): Cast & Ratings

White Building (2023) movie poster

White Building is a 2023 drama directed by Kavich Neang, starring Piseth Chhun as Samnang, Chinnaro Soem and Hout Sithorn. It runs 1 hour 30 minutes. Critics gave it 95% on Rotten Tomatoes and 69 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.5/10.

IMDb rating
6.5/10
Rotten Tomatoes
95%
Echo Score
58
Metascore
69
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White Building (2023) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 30m (90 min)
Director
Kavich Neang
Genre
Drama
Original language
Khmer
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is White Building About?

The premise of White Building without spoilers.

Within Phnom Penh’s historic White Building, three friends, including the aspiring dancer Samnang, pursue dreams of television stardom and dance. As the building’s foundations and the surrounding environment begin to deteriorate, Samnang faces the challenges of a best friend’s departure and his family’s attempts to preserve their traditions amidst a quickly modernizing city. He must navigate changing relationships and a struggle to maintain a sense of stability.

White Building Themes & Keywords

· 2 tags
  • home
  • phnom penh cambodia
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Cast & crew

White Building Cast & Characters

Piseth Chhun leads the cast as Samnang, with Chinnaro Soem as Ah Kha and Hout Sithorn as Samnang's Father. Directed by Kavich Neang; 10 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in White Building

· 6 more
From the director

More from Kavich Neang

One more film directed by Kavich Neang: New Land Broken Road.

Full filmography
Ratings

White Building Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave White Building 95% on Rotten Tomatoes and 69 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.5/10. Our Echo Score gives it 58/100, strongest in sensory experience (80) and weakest in rewatch factor (40).

58 /100

White Building Echo Score Breakdown

White Building presents a quietly observed portrait of Phnom Penh’s threatened apartment complex, blending lyrical visuals with a measured pace. Critics commend its evocative atmosphere and restrained direction, while noting the narrative’s looseness and sluggish momentum. User feedback highlights a perceived lack of narrative focus and engaging characters. The film thus offers a modestly crafted experience that may resonate with viewers attuned to mood over plot.

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

  • Art & Craft 68

    In terms of direction and visual craft, the film demonstrates a careful, almost tactile composition, with richly textured cityscapes and deliberate framing that many reviewers cite as arresting. Nevertheless, the pacing and editing are seen as overly leisurely, leading some to suggest tighter cuts. Overall, the craftsmanship registers as competent and aesthetically thoughtful.

  • Character & Emotion 55

    When assessing character work, the movie provides moments of genuine sensitivity, particularly in its portrayal of youthful transition and familial strain. Yet secondary figures receive limited development, and some viewers find the personalities irritable or under‑drawn. Consequently, the emotional resonance registers as uneven, offering occasional depth amid broader flatness.

  • Story & Flow 45

    Regarding narrative structure, the plot advances with a meandering tempo that emphasizes mood over tight plotting. Critics observe loose threads and a tendency toward didactic allegory, while the user review condemns the script as cliché‑laden and directionless. The story therefore feels more impressionistic than compelling, reducing overall engagement.

  • Sensory Experience 80

    The sensory experience stands out as a principal strength; the soundscape and visual palette evoke the bustling, humid atmosphere of the market‑filled city, and the cinematography captures the building’s decaying grandeur. Reviewers consistently note the palpable ambience, granting the film a vivid, immersive quality that offsets other weaknesses.

  • Rewatch Factor 40

    The film’s rewatch appeal is limited by its deliberate slowness and narrative opacity. While the atmospheric elements may reward repeat viewings for some, the lack of plot momentum and character investment diminishes incentive to return. As a result, the replay value is modest at best.

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FAQ

White Building FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date

Runtime, release date, director, cast, ratings, post-credit scenes and language of White Building, each answered in a sentence.

How long is White Building?

White Building runs 1 hour 30 minutes (90 minutes).

When was White Building released?

White Building was released on May 19, 2023.

Who directed White Building?

White Building was directed by Kavich Neang.

More films by Kavich Neang

Who is in the cast of White Building?

White Building stars Piseth Chhun as Samnang, Chinnaro Soem as Ah Kha and Hout Sithorn as Samnang's Father, among 10 credited actors.

How is White Building rated?

White Building has 6.5/10 on IMDb, 95% on Rotten Tomatoes and 69 on Metacritic.

Does White Building have a post-credit scene?

No. White Building has no extra scene during or after the credits.

What language is White Building in?

The original language of White Building is Khmer.

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