Although Don’t Think I’ve Forgotten initially appears to be a documentary crafted for mid-20th-century music geeks, director John Pirozzi’s film looks at a much darker aspect of Cambodian history. The striking work examines the nation’s tragic destruction during the Vietnam War and the savage Khmer Rouge–led genocide from the perspective of musicians, particularly those playing traditional Cambodian work, as well as the Western-influenced pop heard in Phnom Penh. Mixing contemporary interviews with eye-opening rough-hewn archival footage, this effort captures generational musical changes—from tuxedo-wearing pop crooners to surf rock, garage rock, and bilingual takes on Santana and James Taylor—that occurred during the conflict. Performers like singer Sinn Sisamouth, guitarist Yol Aularong, and pop idol Ros Serey Sothea appear bright and lively in old clips; later, we learn of their murders. The film’s coverage of joy and horror is best captured through an interview with Sieng Vanthy, shown earlier in the film as a miniskirt and go-go boot-wearing singer, who reveals that she lied to officials about her career. “I told them I was a banana seller. If I told them I was a singer, I would have been killed.” The film shows May 29 to June 4 at the AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center, 8633 Colesville Road, Silver Spring. $7–$12. (301) 495-6700. afi.com/silver.