OCIC Group signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with French audiovisual production company Aloest Productions at the France-Cambodia Business Forum organised by MEDEF and chaired by Cambodian Prime Minister Dr. Hun Manet.

The MoU signed on January16, 2024, establishes a partnership to support the promotion of the "The Perfect Motion" documentary film in France as well as Belgium and Switzerland.

"The Perfect Motion" – or "Tep Hattha" in Khmer – delves into the history of the Royal Ballet of Cambodia and the traditional Khmer Apsara dance.

The elegant Khmer dance has its roots in the Kingdom's ancient history, and has captivated French audiences throughout the decades with its reflection of mythological, religious and historical themes.

Famous sculptor Auguste Rodin is said to have first seen the dance at a performance in Paris in 1906andimmediately fallen in love with it.

"The Perfect Motion" also explores the commitment of the late Princess Norodom Buppha Devi – a former Cambodian Minister of Culture and Director of the Royal Ballet – to preserving Cambodia's cultural heritage.

The brutal Khmer Rouge regime of less than half a century ago plunged Cambodia into a dark period, one in which art was strictly forbidden.

But having overcome this direct threat to its cultural identity, the rapidly developing Kingdom of Cambodia is now eager to share the richness of its rediscovered heritage with the rest of the world.

Before its national release in cinemas in more than 30 cities in France starting on March 13, 2024, "The Perfect Motion" will be screened during a tour of previews around France, as well as in the Belgian capital Brussels and the Swiss city of Geneva.

The tour will begin at the Guimet National Museum of Asian Arts in Paris on  February12, 2024, and will end at the UNESCO Headquarters in the French capital on the March 11, 2024.

Each preview will be preceded with an Apsara performance by dancers fromthe Royal Ballet of Cambodia, offering audiences an experience similar to that enjoyed by Rodin himself.

OCIC Group is supporting the film with the aim of promoting Khmer art and culture internationally through financial and logistical resources, and its networks in France and Europe.

The project is supported with funding from the Cambodian Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts, as well as the French Minister of Culture through the National Film and Moving Image Centre (CNC) of the French Ministry of Culture.

In addition, the film also received generous support from French-speaking Prince Sisowath Tesso, as well as other organisations in Cambodia such as Royal Group, AEPK, Vattanac, The Peak, Kulen, BRED Bank, the EU Delegation to Cambodia and All Dreams Cambodia.