USA Projects

In Kaley the Crocodile, Cambodia’s three most accomplished artistic visionaries (choreographer and 2009 USA Knight Fellow Sophiline Cheam Shapiro, composer Him Sophy, and sculptor Sopheap Pich) join forces in order to bring to life a tragic tale of revenge and heartbreak from their culture’s rich storytelling tradition—folklore reflective of the recent history of their war ravaged country and the artists’ own trauma-filled childhoods. 

Brimming with gorgeous movement, sumptuous costuming, fanciful music and two enormous bamboo and rattan reptiles, Kaley the Crocodile will be performed by the renowned Khmer Arts Ensemble on major stages throughout the world beginning in 2012.  Sophiline is seeking support to commission an original score from composer Him Sophy.

Through this magical, but timely, story, we are reminded—once again—that violence begets violence and that the triumph of revenge quickly transforms into the burden of self-perpetuating conflict.

The Story

Kaley the Crocodile tells the story of a young woman, Kaley, who is traveling with her mother and father by boat on her way to marry a prince in the capital city when a giant crocodile attacks them.  Realizing that she’s doomed, Kaley declares that she will be reborn as an even bigger crocodile so that she may avenge her terrible fate.

Sometime later, a kind hermit finds a lone glistening egg and takes it home.  When Kaley, now a crocodile, emerges, he raises her, giving her the power to transform herself into a human.

When Kaley has grown into an enormous crocodile, she leaves home in order to seek her revenge on the croc that had killed her and her parents.  Before she reaches the village of her death, though, she meets a crocodile with whom she falls in love.  In his cave, she finds her own scarf from her previous life.  She realizes, then, that he is the same crocodile who murdered her family.  In a rage, she attacks and kills her newfound lover.

Feeling lonely and full of regret, Kaley heads for home.  But soon she discovers a handsome young man by the riverbank.  Seeking solace, she turns herself into a human, and the young man falls in love with her.  One of the villagers sees her transform and warns the boy’s mother, who gives her son a magic amulet that burns Kaley whenever she comes close to him.

Forced to flee, Kaley returns to the hermit, who, in her absence, has passed away.  His funeral has commenced.  So, in despair at having to spend the rest of her life loveless and alone, Kaley jumps onto the pyre.   

The Composer

Him Sophy’s musical compositions include: String quartet for violins, viola and cello (1987); A Memory from Darkness: Trio for violin, cello and piano (1990); Decline of Angkor — for soprano, flute, clarinet, cello, harp and percussion (1992); Symphony for large symphony orchestraThe Mondolkiri Landscape — for cello and recorder (1998); I walk…and I cry on the island Poulouway – for recorder, alto flute, and bass flute (1998); and The Onomatopoeia of rhythm of ensemble Pin Peat – for recorder, flute, alto flute, and bass flute (1998). His music for dance includes (1993); Apsara — Dancing Stone: Music for contemporary Cambodian dance (1994). Sophy has also written extensively for film, including such compositions as Blood and Life, No Home Too Far, and Cambodia Dreams.  In 2008, his concert-length musical Where Elephants Weep premiered at Phnom Penh’s Chenla Theater.  He holds a PhD in composition from Moscow’s Tchaikovsky Conservatory.