One of Jonathan Demme’s lesser-known yet significant documentaries will be making its debut on high-definition home media platforms for the first time ever.
The abridged version of Spalding Gray’s four-hour monologue, titled ‘Swimming to Cambodia,’ detailing his personal experiences in Southeast Asia during the filming of Roland Joffé’s 1984 Oscar-winning movie ‘The Killing Fields,’ is scheduled for Blu-ray release in May. This new edition, distributed by Cinématographe, a division of physical media distributor Vinegar Syndrome, offers a remastered image and sound quality, as well as an extensive assortment of bonus materials.
Gray, a renowned playwright and performance artist, debuted “Swimming to Cambodia” on stage in 1985, two years after he acted as an aide to a U.S. Ambassador in Joffé’s film. Demme recorded this performance and shortened it from its original four-hour duration to 85 minutes for cinematic release. The latest edition by Cinématographe includes a new 2K remaster of the film using the original camera negative, as well as these additional features:
1. A never-before-seen interview with Gray about his experiences making the performance.
2. Rare behind-the-scenes footage showcasing the creation process and rehearsals for “Swimming to Cambodia”.
3. A detailed analysis of the play’s themes and cultural impact by leading scholars in theater and performance studies.
- New audio commentary with film critic Scout Tafoya
- Lifting Up the Carpet – a new video interview with Roland Joffé, director of The Killing Fields
- A Good Story is a Good Story – a new video interview with executive producer Ira Deutchman
- The Great Sensorium of the World – a new video interview with producer Edward Saxon
- Archival video interview with Jonathan Demme from 2013
- Two episodes of the Pure Nonfiction podcast: Jonathan Demme’s Real Life Characters, recorded in 2016, featuring Demme discussing “Swimming to Cambodia;” and Jonathan Demme & Renée Shafransky on Spalding Gray, recorded in 2017
- New text essays by film critics Marya E. Gates, Chris Shields, Keith Uhlich and David M. Stewart, author of There’s No Going Back: The Life and Work of Jonathan Demme
While you can buy the release independently, there’s a unique, limited edition (only 100 pieces) that comes with a paperback copy of Gray’s book with the same title. These exclusive versions will only be offered through the Vinegar Syndrome website and won’t be accessible from online or physical retailers elsewhere.
Being able to collaborate with the legendary Jonathan Demme during the latter years of his life was a career highlight and an honor I’ll always cherish. Last year, we finally delivered justice to his playful Hitchcock tribute ‘Last Embrace’, and now it’s overdue for his captivating Spalding Gray performance film ‘Swimming to Cambodia’ to make its Blu-ray debut.” (Justin LaLiberty, Vinegar Syndrome director of operations)
Back in 2013, the only DVD version of this film was released by Shout Factory. As a passionate cinephile, I am thrilled to share an extensive edition of “Swimming to Cambodia.” This release is dedicated to Jonathan and Spalding, and serves as a tribute to their legacy. It introduces new viewers to a unique piece from one of American cinema’s most distinctive voices, while also satisfying the long-standing demand of ardent fans like myself.
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2025-05-05 00:47