🎬 Same Same But Different (2009)

  • Director: Detlev Buck

  • Writers: Ruth Toma, Michael Ostrowski, Detlev Buck

  • Starring: David Kross (as Ben), Apinya Sakuljaroensuk (as Sreykeo)

  • Runtime: 106 minutes

  • Languages: German, English, Khmer

  • Genre: Drama, Romance

  • Country: Germany

  • Premiere: August 13, 2009 (Locarno Film Festival)

📖 Plot Summary

Same Same But Different is based on the true story of Benjamin Prüfer and Sreykeo Sorvan. Ben, a young German student, travels to Cambodia where he meets Sreykeo, a bar girl. Despite their different backgrounds and the fact that Sreykeo is HIV-positive, they fall in love. The film explores themes of cross-cultural relationships, love, trust, and societal challenges.

🏆 Awards

  • Variety Piazza Grande Award at Locarno Film Festival (2009)

  • Bavarian Film Awards for Best Cinematography (Jana Marsik)

  • Labeled "Especially Valuable" by the German Film Rating Board (FBW)

Wanda Badwal — German actress, model, and yoga teacher. Born on January 22, 1985, in Hamburg, she gained recognition as a finalist in the third season of Germany’s Next Topmodel in 2008, securing fourth place. Following her modeling career, she transitioned into acting, appearing in television series such as Flemming, Ein Fall für Zwei, and Danni Lowinski. In the 2009 film Same Same But Different, she portrayed the character Lilli.

Apinya Sakuljaroensuk, also known as Saiparn, is a Thai actress born on May 27, 1990, in Bangkok, Thailand. She gained recognition for her role as Sreykeo in the 2009 German film Same Same But Different, directed by Detlev Buck. In the film, she portrays a 21-year-old Cambodian bar girl who falls in love with a German student, Ben, played by David Kross. The story is based on the real-life experiences of Benjamin Prüfer and Sreykeo Sorvan. ​