Same Same But Different


Same Same But Different is a 2009 German film, a love story starring David Kross and Apinya Sakuljaroensuk. It was directed by Detlev Buck. The script follows Benjamin Prüfer's 2006 autobiographical magazine article, later published as a novel in 2007.
The title of Same Same But Different is indeed an Asian-English phrase, mainly used in Thailand, although the film is set in Cambodia.
The film first premiered at the 62nd Locarno International Film Festival on 13 August 2009.

Plot

Benjamin, a German high school student, is a backpacker on his first major tour. In a nightclub in Phnom Penh, he meets a young local girl, Sreykeo, and rapidly falls in love with her. Ben opts for this love, even though Sreykeo turns out to be HIV positive and seems to be a prostitute. It is based on the true story of Sreykeo Sorvan and Benjamin Prüfer.

Cast

Same Same But Different was shown at the 62nd Locarno International Film Festival on 13 August 2009; and entered in the festival competition, the "Variety Piazza Grande Award". This award is conferred by critics from the American entertainment magazine Variety to films that it considers have artistic qualities and international evaluation opportunities.