Burmese artists and Democracy Movement

Daw Suu and Kyaw Thu ( Source Kyaw Thu Face Book)

I wrote about two famous actors of Burma in a previous post. While Kyaw Thu was lauded by his fans for sacrificing for the cause that he believes, Lwin Moe, who is also a famous actor, defiantly proclaimed that he is the supporter of Junta backed party USDP. Even, he boasted that the election was free and fair!

Well.. everyone have the right to believe whatever they want to, but at the same time, not knowing the fundamental rights and plight of their own people is not an excuse to be forgiven. I think Burmese artists are in the stage of dilemma when comes to politics.

Military junta punished pro democracy artists quite harshly. Long jail sentence to Zarganar was a good reminder for all. Prolonged jail sentence of Zarganar was a chilling message from the junta to the rest that if they decide to side with pro democracy movement, they must pay dearly.

Not allowing performance in movies or videos is the minimum penalty, but person like Kyaw Thu took the risk by carry on helping the poor and sick to live with dignity and also give the same treatment to the dead. That is not politics, just a social service that any sane government should see in positive way, but in Burma, the rulers see these kinds of people as “threat” for their survival.

Recently Junta backed movie director Tin Than Oo, admitted he was forced to produce a movie with distorted history for propaganda purpose of Junta before election. Ailing with heart problem, Tin Than Oo directed the movie known as “The Lotus that blossom at dawn “in Burmese. Distortion  of Historical facts  were so obvious  that Burmese living in exile boycotted the actors and actress  of the movie,when they arrive to the US for live performance. Tin Than Oo, admitted mistakes in his movie in an interview with Mizzima news ,a few months before he passed away. He said he took the responsibility for his movie.

I feel sorry for Tin Than Oo, who was a good writer among army officers, but he left his legacy as a person who distorted the true history of democratic evolution of Burma.

In Burma, influence of artists in daily life of people is far greater than their counterparts in  its neighbors, as poor Burmese people rely only on local entertainment industry to overcome the stress under military boots. That is the reason the military rulers keep on monitoring the acts of movie stars.

Reward for supporting military junta is huge such as allowing them to run the FM radio stations, business opportunities with junta cronies, to tax exemption. They can buy properties with discount price all depend on how well connected the artist with the ruling elites.

To become a famous artist is not easy in Burma same as everywhere on the earth. Once the star become famous his responsibility to the society become part of history and legacy.To avoid the tragic legacy of talented people who went astray earlier, they should listen to Daw Aung San Suu Kyi’s advice to involve and sacrifice on the thorny road to democracy in Burma.

Sit Mone