Jean-Baptiste Phou - Author of “Coming Out of My Skin”
French-Cambodian artist Jean-Baptiste Phou joins Death in Cambodia, Life in America Podcast for a powerful conversation about identity, creative expression, and the journey of reconnection. Born in Paris and now based in Phnom Penh, Jean-Baptiste reflects on growing up as a Cambodian immigrant in France, grappling with cultural disconnection, and ultimately leaving a career in finance to pursue a life in the arts.
Phou shares insights into his collaborations with renowned filmmaker Rithy Panh, the inspiration behind his film My Mother’s Tongue, and the emotional depth of his latest book Coming Out of My Skin—a bold and vulnerable exploration of racism, sexuality, and belonging within the gay community in France.
Through writing, film, and performance, Phou creates space for conversations about heritage, healing, and the nuances of living between worlds. This episode is an intimate look at what it means to reclaim your narrative, challenge silence, and make art that moves culture forward.
