HOUSTON, TX (Aug. 16, 2010) – Holocaust Museum Houston’s Cultural Bridges program joins with the French Consulate in Houston to present a free screening of the film "S-21: The Khmer Rouge Killing Machine" (S-21, la Machine de Mort Khmère Rouge) about the genocide in Cambodia during the 1970s.

The screening will be shown Monday, Aug. 30, 2010, at 6:30 p.m. in the Museum’s Albert and Ethel Herzstein Theater, 5401 Caroline St., in Houston’s Museum District. Admission is free, but seating is limited, and advance registration is required. Visit http://www.hmh.org/RegisterEvent.aspx to RSVP online.

“S-21” refers to “Monti Santesok S-21,” the main “security office” of the Democratic Cambodia of the Khmer Rouge. Nearly 17,000 prisoners were imprisoned, tortured, interrogated and executed there between 1975 and 1979. Only three are still alive.

“S-21” attempts to understand the mechanisms behind the methodical application of one of the 20th century’s most terrifying ideologies. For three years, Rithy Panh and his crew undertook a long investigation, interviewing those who managed to escape along with their torturers. They convinced them to return to the former S-21 building, which has now been converted to a genocide museum to confront the past.

This film is not recommended for audiences under the age of 17 due to the graphic nature of the film.

For more information, call 713-942-8000, ext. 312 or e-mail culturalbridges@hmh.org.

The film is presented with special thanks to Continental Airlines, official airline of Holocaust Museum Houston.

Holocaust Museum Houston is dedicated to educating people about the Holocaust, remembering the 6 million Jews and other innocent victims and honoring the survivors' legacy. Using the lessons of the Holocaust and other genocides, the Museum teaches the dangers of hatred, prejudice and apathy.

Holocaust Museum Houston’s Morgan Family Center is free and open to the public and is located in Houston’s Museum District at 5401 Caroline St., Houston, TX 77004. For more information about the Museum, call 713-942-8000 or visit www.hmh.org.