If they weren’t in a dark room, you might think that the people sitting around here had caught on to a fancy new style of sunglasses. In fact, they are watching a movie created with three dimensional (3-D) technology and the glasses make the movie come alive.

The movie Avatar led the way as 3-D films have spread around the world, and there is now a 4-D theatre in Cambodia, a testament to technological development in the country. The 4-D Simulation Theatre in Sorya Shopping Centre was established late in 2009 and 11 movies, all imported, are now available upon demand. Yen Sopheak, who works at the 4D Simulation Theatre, claimed, “the movies are actually 4-D, the update of 3-D,” explaining that 3-D movies let you see everything but feel nothing; while 4-D movies let you feel everything, including wind blowing, water spraying, and the earth shaking with the use of a movable platform and fans that blow air or steam at viewers.

On her way out of the theatre Ho Chenda, who said she had been to the theatre 11 times, was thrilled and said she felt like she had been starring in the movie.

Recently, some music production companies have also made 3-D videos for their advertisements and video karaoke. “We want to make something new so that the audience will like,” said Lay Sokchomren, the general manager of Sunday Productions.

Sin Chanchaya, director of the Film Department in the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts, said that while Cambodian’s have yet to produce a feature length 3-D movie it might happen soon. “There are young people learning about this, so Cambodia will have plenty human resources to produce 3-D films,” Sin Chanchaya said.