Dith Pran, 1942-2008. R.I.P.

Dith Pran, the Cambodian photojournalist who survived what he termed the "killing fields" of Pol Pot's Cambodia, died today at the age of 65. Three months ago he was diagnosed with cancer of the pancreas. Dith's harrowing journey after the fall of Phnom Penh (which he covered with journalist Sydney Schanberg)was documented in the 1984 film The Killing Fields surviving on little food and escaping to Thailand on a trial of skeletal remains. Dith was portrayed by Dr. Haing S. Ngor, who won a Best Supporting Actor Oscar for his performance. Dr. Ngor also lived through the killing fields. Sadly, Dr. Ngor was murdered in 1996. Dith came to the United States in 1979 and began working as a photographer for The New York Times the following year.