Documentaries about the temples of Angkor online

http://www.angkorphotographytours.com

LIDAR scan of Angkor Wat temple (screenshot from Jungle Atlantis BBC)

Your flight ticket to Siem Reap is booked, as well as your activities (with hopefully a photography tour with us:). You are a few days away from your first trip to the temples of Angkor and have probably read few bits about the history of the Khmer Empire in guidebooks. However if you want to learn more, we compiled for you a list of the best documentary films about Angkor available online. Most of them are in English, some others in French only.

The most recent documentary about Angkor and the LIDAR, a groundbreaking laser technology which gave archaeologists new insights about the temples, the sacred mountain of Phnom Kulen and revealed new archaeological sites were hidden beneath the dense jungle. In this documentary are also presented some new research evidences about the sophisticated Angkorian water management system believed to be at the origin of the rise and fall of the Khmer Empire. Watch online: Part 1 (55 min) Part 2 (55 min)

JUNGLE ATLANTIS (BBC 2014, in English)

ANGKOR REDECOUVERT (2013 ARTE, in French) A film about the last findings of the LIDAR project and some archaeological research led by French and German teams in the temples of Koh Ker. Also presented, the groundbreaking documentary work of Louis Delaporte, a French explorer, at the end of the 19th century. Watch online: Complete (86 min)

ACCESS 360 WORLD HERITAGE ANGKOR WAT (NAT GEOGRAPHIC, in English) A documentary about the LIDAR technology which helped scientists to get a better understanding of the Angkorian hydraulic system. A large part of the documentary is about restoration and conservation efforts in the temples. Watch online: Complete (44 min)

ANGKOR WAT 3D (2009, MONASH UNIVERSITY, in English) An amazing short animation film produced by Monash University describing what we know about the landscapes and daily life of Angkor during the 13th Century. Watch online: Complete (3 min)

ANGKOR WAT, LANDS OF GODS (2011 SMITHSONIAN CHANNEL, in English)

The first part of this documentary focuses on the rise of the Khmer empire and the legacy of Suryavarman II: Angkor Wat temple. Explained also the connection between the temples and the quarries of the Kulen mountain. The second part is about Jayavarman VII well known for his extensive temples building program. Also presented, the last research about Angkor Thom and Bayon temples. Both parts feature carefully designed 3D and historical movie sequences. Watch online: Part 1 (55 min) Part 2 (55 min)

ANGKOR: LA CIVILISATION ENGLOUTIE (ARTE, in French) A documentary which highlights the works of the EFEO about the chronology of the successive capitals of the Khmer empire. New research results are presented about the temples of Beng Mealea, Phnom Kulen, Preah Khan and the West Baray reservoir. Presented also, new archaeological evidences uncovered using the LIDAR technology. (52 min) offline ANCIENT MEGASTRUCTURES ANGKOR WAT (NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC, in English) This documentary focuses exclusively on the construction of Angkor Wat temple under the reign of Suryavarman II. Watch online: Complete (47 min) ANGKOR NAISSANCE D’UN MYTHE- LOUIS DELAPORTE ET LE CAMBODGE (no dialogue) A short film with no dialogue about the work of French explorer Louis Delaporte displayed at the Grimet museum in Paris between 2013 and 2014. Watch online: Complete (28 min) DIGGING FOR THE TRUTH ANGKOR WAT (History Channel, in English) A fast-paced documentary about Angkor Wat temple. Watch online: Complete (43 min)

http://www.angkorphotographytours.com