Educational Media Reviews Online

On the first day of February in 2021, at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, the military in Myanmar staged a coup that immobilized democracy and spurred nationwide protests. Despite initial global press coverage of this takeover, this story quickly disappeared from the news headlines even as repressive crackdowns continued against individuals who embraced civil disobedience and supported democracy. Since 2021 thousands of Myanmar’s residents have been imprisoned or killed by the military junta but the world seems to have forgotten this country and its people’s struggles to uphold their freedoms. Millions have also fled the country. Myanmar Diaries serves as a reminder that this oppression continues by giving voice to some of Myanmar’s citizens. This is not one film, but a compilation of a series of short films created by 10 anonymous Burmese filmmakers. These filmmakers remain unidentified and on camera participants have their faces or other distinguishing marks blurred. No film credits are listed to protect individuals from possible government reprisals. Since the coup the military government has toughened laws to prevent public camera use or filming by civilians, so these films serve as acts of bravery, resistance, and defiance.

The stories presented in these various films depict different aspects of life under the military regime. Films of individuals being rounded up by police while their children cry or plead for them to be freed are mixed with stories of people who did not return home after being killed while demonstrating against the government. One film presents a woman who flees the country and discusses how she misses her carefree past when she took many aspects of life for granted. Another clip introduces a teenage girl who is expecting an unwanted child. She agonizes whether to tell her boyfriend, the father of her child, who is wanted by police and about to flee to join the resistance in the jungle. Many of these films contain disturbing scenes of violence where people are beaten, shot, and killed while others surreptitiously film these vicious acts. Brutal scenes where people are injured or incapacitated, are often juxtaposed with nature or mundane scenes. Birds fly freely, ants gather food, cats mew, and dogs gnaw bones against this backdrop of human ferocity. This juxtaposition with the natural world which continues on despite the human violence is jarring but also incisive.

Scenarios found in these various films often differ, but they all demonstrate the brutality of Myanmar’s military government and the impact it had (and continues to have) on individual lives. Many clips are not always easy to watch as they contain shootings, violent beatings, nudity, intense grief, and suggestions of suicide. Camera footage is also often shaky as filmmakers were either fleeing, being raided, or secretly capturing atrocities behind window screens and other barriers. The fact that some of these films successfully made it into the hands of the producers after what they captured is astounding. This film is a testament to the courage and tenacity of the Myanmar people who continue to protest and resist the junta.

Myanmar Diaries provides English subtitles for the narratives are all recounted in Burmese. This film is available in a variety of formats that can include public performance rights. It is highly recommended for the college level as well as the adult general public. Two years after the military takeover resistance fighters continue to battle the brutal regime. Toward the end of Myanmar Diaries one of the filmmakers asks, “Can you hear us?” These words remind the viewers that the world should do more to address and not forget the Myanmar crisis. This film serves as a wake-up call that no one should take their freedoms or civil liberties for granted.

Awards:
Best Documentary, Berlinale Panorama 2022; Best Director Award International Competition, One World 2022; Chantal Akerman Experimental Documentary Prize, Jerusalem Film Festival 2022

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