The Snake Girl (1973)
A haunting Cambodian-Hong Kong horror fantasy rooted in betrayal, folklore, and supernatural birth — starring the iconic Dy Saveth.
The Snake Girl - Movie Information
- Original Title: ធីតាសក់ពស់
- Release Year: 1973
- Directed by: Kuang Hui
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Horror, Fantasy
- Runtime: 2h 6m
- Original Language: Khmer
- Release Date (Theatrical): January 1, 1973 (KH)
- Alternative Titles: Girl with Snake Hair (US), Teeda Sok Puos (KH), She mo nu (HK), Snake Girl 1 (TW)
- Production Countries: Cambodia, Hong Kong, Taiwan
The Snake Girl - Plot
Big Madam poisons her husband and throws her adopted sister into a snake pit where she has sex with the snakes and gives birth to the beautiful Snake Girl. When her son falls in love with Snake Girl, Big Madam tries to kill her.
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The Snake Girl - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Kuang Hui
Main Cast
- Dy Saveth
- Kong Som Eun
- Mandoline
Writers
- Kuang Hui
Producers
- Roy Chua
The Snake Girl - FAQs
What is The Snake Girl about?
The Snake Girl follows a dark chain of events set off by betrayal and cruelty. After Big Madam poisons her husband and casts her adopted sister into a snake pit, a supernatural child is born — the beautiful Snake Girl. When Big Madam's own son falls for her, jealousy and murderous intent take over.
Is The Snake Girl a rare or obscure film?
Yes, The Snake Girl is considered a rare gem of Southeast Asian cinema. Released in 1973 as a Cambodian-Hong Kong-Taiwan co-production, it emerged during a vibrant but short-lived era of Khmer filmmaking that was largely destroyed during the Khmer Rouge regime, making surviving prints especially precious.
Who stars in The Snake Girl?
The film stars Dy Saveth, one of Cambodia's most celebrated actresses of the golden era, alongside Kong Som Eun and Mandoline. Dy Saveth plays Ah Mei and brings a magnetic presence to the supernatural story, making her one of the most iconic figures in Khmer cinema history.
Where can you watch The Snake Girl?
Streaming availability for The Snake Girl varies by region. You can check the latest viewing options — including any rental or subscription platforms currently carrying the film — on JustWatch, which tracks real-time availability across all major services in your area.
What makes The Snake Girl historically significant?
The Snake Girl stands as a testament to Cambodia's golden age of cinema in the 1960s and 70s. It blends Khmer folklore with Hong Kong genre filmmaking, creating a unique horror-fantasy hybrid. Much of Cambodia's film heritage from this era was lost under the Khmer Rouge, making this film a cultural survivor.
Who directed The Snake Girl?
The Snake Girl was directed by Kuang Hui, who also wrote the screenplay. The film was a co-production between Cambodia, Hong Kong, and Taiwan — an unusual international collaboration for its time that brought together different filmmaking traditions to craft this distinctive horror-fantasy tale.
What genre is The Snake Girl?
The Snake Girl blends horror and fantasy, drawing on Southeast Asian folklore and supernatural mythology. It combines elements of dark fairy tale, creature horror, and melodrama — a genre mix that was popular in Hong Kong and regional Asian cinema during the early 1970s.
What are some movies similar to The Snake Girl?
If The Snake Girl's dark folklore and creature horror appeal to you, you might enjoy Nightbreed (1990), Medusa (2020), Witch Hunt (2021), or Books of Blood (2020). These films share a similar taste for supernatural mythology, monstrous origins, and horror rooted in ancient or folkloric traditions.
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