The title of Same Same But Different is indeed an Asian-English phrase, mainly used in Thailand, although the film is set in Cambodia.

Benjamin (David Kross), a German high school student, is a backpacker on his first major tour.

In a nightclub in Phnom Penh, he meets a young local girl, Sreykeo (played by Apinya Sakuljaroensuk), and rapidly falls in love with her.

Ben opts for this love, even though Sreykeo turns out to be HIV positive and seems to be a prostitute.

This award is conferred by critics from the American entertainment magazine Variety to films that it considers have artistic qualities and international evaluation opportunities.