Burma VJ

I didn’t cry;  I was too nervous the whole movie.  HOWEVER, I did eat popcorn with M&Ms mixed in and slightly melted.  Seriously.   I should really have my own cooking show.  I can call it “Butter and Chocolate”.

To give a brief historical and political background on Burma – the country has been ruled by a military dictatorship since 1962.  In 1988, there was a massive uprising – students who were calling for an end to military rule and the establishment of a democracy.  Thousands of demonstrators were killed.

In 2007, there were again massive protests, this time for sudden doubling of fuel prices.  Thousands of people took to the streets and were joined days later by a great number of monks.  (The estimated total number of monks in Burma, according to the film, is about 400,000).   Despite warnings by the military, people continued to take to the streets.  Eventually the military just kept firing shots into the crowds until they dispersed.  Even monks were beaten and killed.

Political dissent in Burma?  Obviously a big no-no.  Also a big no-no?  Non-government controlled news.  Burma VJ centers on the 2007 protests and a group of underground video reporters called the Democratic Voice of Burma.  Because all foreign TV crews are banned from entering the country, members of the DVB risked their lives to capture what was going on and smuggle their tapes out of the country. Their footage was broadcast not only around the world but also back into Burma itself via satellite.  It was incredibly brave what these reporters did, as three of them are now in jail, probably for life.   The rest of the DVB has disbanded, and some have fled the country.  As you see in the film during the protests, one man with a camera, believed to be a Japanese reporter, was shot dead in the street.

I don’t even know what to say about this film, except that 14 hours later, I am still thinking about it.  It was one of the most incredible documentaries I have ever seen.  I was reminded of the Latin American filmmakers of the mid to late 20th century, who used their cameras as guns that shot 24 frames per second.  And I was reminded why I wanted to be a filmmaker in the first place…

You can probably see Burma VJ on HBO (if you have it) or should be able to get it on DVD soon.  But definitely watch the trailer and you’ll see what I mean.

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~ by jennychiurco on November 12, 2009.