“The Smile of Angkor” — A Timeless Epic of Light and Shadow
As Cambodia’s premier resident performance, The Smile of Angkor masterfully fuses the splendor of the Angkor Empire with modern stage technology, delivering a breathtaking artistic experience. Co-produced by top artists from Cambodia and China, the show employs holographic projection, dynamic stage mechanics, and digital lighting to vividly recreate the grandeur of the Khmer Empire—its majestic history, religious devotion, and rich folklore—bringing the ancient Angkor civilization to life on stage after a thousand years of slumber.
In the lighting design, Ian Laser’s CL20 series played a pivotal role. With exceptional color fidelity, precise beam control, and smooth dynamic effects, the system created an atmosphere both mystical and majestic. From the silhouette of Angkor Wat bathed in dawn’s first light, to fierce royal battles, to the golden glow of sacred Buddhist realms, each scene transported the audience into the glory of ancient Khmer civilization.
Since its premiere in Siem Reap in 2010, The Smile of Angkor has been performed over 5,000 times, drawing millions of viewers from around the world and becoming a symbolic cultural attraction in Cambodia. Recognized by the Cambodian government as a “National Cultural Promotion Project”, and hailed by international media as an “audiovisual marvel of Eastern culture,” the show stands as a shining example of Sino-Cambodian cultural collaboration. It continues to enchant global audiences, sharing the eternal legacy of Angkor with the world.
