As a passionate film enthusiast who has been following the global cinema landscape for years, I find myself deeply moved by the stories of resilience and courage displayed by Na Gyi and Paing Phyo Thu, Myanmar’s “it couple” turned dissident filmmakers. Their journey from being celebrated artists to fugitives, fighting against a repressive regime, is nothing short of inspiring.
As a long-time admirer of independent cinema from around the world, I am thrilled to hear that this year’s Oldenburg Film Festival will honor dissident filmmakers Na Gyi and Paing Phyo Thu. Their courage and determination in creating films that challenge oppressive regimes is truly inspiring, especially considering the dangerous circumstances they often face while doing so.
For over three years now, the Burmese filmmaker and actress have been forced into secrecy due to their open defiance against the Myanmar military coup on February 1, 2021, which has made them targets of the nation’s current governing body.
2021 saw Oldenburg showcase the film “What Happened to the Wolf?” by Na Gyi, featuring Paing Phyo Thu and Eaindra Kyaw Zin. In its debut on the global stage, this movie tells a poignant tale of a lesbian romance between two women facing terminal illnesses. Although not explicitly political, the LGBTQ+ narrative stirred controversy with the military government. Interestingly, the film was submitted to the festival post-coup but prior to the filmmakers fleeing. The trailer for this movie garnered over a million views on Oldenburg’s Facebook page. Despite winning the Seymour Cassel Award for Best Actress at the festival, Eaindra couldn’t accept her prize in person due to being imprisoned in Myanmar for joining protests.
In the days before the political turmoil, Na and Thu were the powerhouse duo of Myanmar’s film industry. I, as a passionate movie enthusiast, can attest to their fame – Na being a revered director in our nation, and Thu, recipient of the prestigious Myanmar Academy Award, shining brightly among our screen legends.
Following the military takeover, they expressed their disapproval by demonstrating in public. A picture of Paing Phyo Thu making a three-finger gesture — a sign of resistance reminiscent from the Hunger Games movies — circulated widely online. On April 3rd, the military regime announced warrants for their arrests, alleging that the couple had been exploiting their popularity to persuade public officials to join the protests.
Under the constant threat of prolonged imprisonment and torment, the duo opted to secretly reside in an unspecified place within a neighboring nation. They have stayed concealed there. However, their resolve against the military regime remains unyielding. “We’ve made our choice,” Paing declared in a statement. “We are moving forward, and we will persist until the end.” From their hiding spot, they established The Artists Refuge, an organization dedicated to assisting artists from Myanmar who have fled their homeland.
Oldenburg’s homage to Na Gyi and Paing Phyo Thu will feature their debut collaboration on “What Happened to the Wolf?” and the 2019 film “Mi“. Based on a renowned Myanmar novel by Ki Aye, “Mi” is set in the 1940s and showcases Paing as a free-spirited woman battling tuberculosis. The movie was both a local critical and commercial success. In addition, Oldenburg will exhibit three of Na’s short films featuring Paing: “Guilt“, “Our Turn“, and “My Lost Nation“. All screenings during the tribute are free to attend in Oldenburg, with donations accepted for The Artists Shelter.
On Tuesday, I got a sneak peek at some of the films set to grace the screens during next year’s gaming convention from September 11th-14th. Here are a few standout titles: Quentin Dupieux’s humorous meta-movie, The Second Act, which made its debut in Cannes; Telegraphic Letters, a thought-provoking piece by Edgar Pêra from Locarno; and Vincent Grashaw’s Bang Bang, a Tribeca selection, featuring Tim Blake Nelson as a former boxer grappling with his past regrets. You might recognize Nelson from his role in the upcoming Captain America: Brave New World. Interestingly enough, he will be reprising his part as Samuel Sterns from the 2008 film, The Incredible Hulk!
As someone who has been deeply immersed in the world of cinema for many years, I must say that the upcoming premieres at Oldenburg this year have caught my attention. Having a background in both German and international films, I find it particularly intriguing to see such diverse offerings on the festival program.
Hala Matar’s film “Elektra,” featuring Maria Bakalova (known for her role in “Borat Subsequent Moviefilm”), Abigail Cowen (“Stranger Things”), and Jack Farthing (“Spencer”), is set to make its German debut at the Oldenburg Film Festival, where it will compete. Meanwhile, Nayla Al Khaja’s film “Three,” a psychological drama from the United Arab Emirates, will mark its European premiere at the same festival.
Other titles for the Oldenburg 2024 competition include “Brother’s Arrival,” a family drama by British director Michael J. Long; Mitzi Peirone’s “Saint Clare,” a horror-thriller, Saralisa Volm’s “At the End of Truth,” a German drama starring Maria Furtwängler as a troubled surgeon, and “$$$,” the debut film from U.S. director Jake Remington that blends documentary style footage with an undercover shoot to portray the New York underground culture.
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2024-08-20 14:55