Dynamite Doug Podcast Exposes Douglas Latchford with AC’s Tess Davis
March 9, 2023
Cambodia’s rich cultural heritage was ravaged during years of Civil War and sold into the illicit antiquities market by numerous smugglers. However, one stands out among the rest for his severe crimes against the nation’s history: Douglas Latchford.
For more than 40 years, Latchford was the world’s foremost dealer of Cambodian antiquities, even allowing some to end up in prestigious institutions like the Metropolitan Museum of Art (Met) in New York and the British Museum. The Antiquities Coalition worked extensively alongside the Pandora Papers investigation in exposing Latchford’s dark legacy on a global scale in 2021.
On March 1, Project Brazen launched Dynamite Doug, a new podcast series diving into how Latchford carried out the greatest art heist in history – the looting of Cambodia’s entire cultural heritage. The six episodes were informed by Latchford’s emails, secret audio recordings and over 30 interviews to serve as the most explosive account yet of his actions.
Hosted by actor Ellen Wong, the series features cultural heritage experts including Tess Davis, Executive Director of the Antiquities Coalition, in conversations on how Latchford got away with destroying Cambodia’s heritage for his own gain.
Cambodian dancer Sophiline Cheam Shapiro staged a protest in the Met to accompany the podcast launch, spotlighting the nation’s attempts to reclaim its heritage as she danced alongside statues looted by Latchford and on display.
Learn more about the podcast and listen here.