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SxSW Film Preview: Burma VJ
In the fall of 2007, millions worldwide (us among them) watched on their televisions as Buddhist monks peacefully protested against the military rule in Burma. We watched on BBC World News as footage trickled in from a country that was off-limits to foreign journalists. From the peaceful protests of the monks, to the huge popular response, to the violent reaction by the military rulers, we watched.
Where did these images come from? Since the foreign media were kept out of the country, it was up to the people of Burma to document (albeit secretly) the history taking place. About 30 Burmese reporters formed the group Democratic Voice of Burma, which found ways to sneak their video out of the country to world media outlets.
Burma VJ, a documentary by Anders Østergaard, pieces together this undercover footage—which might seem a bit shaky at times, since some of the videographers were carrying their cameras hidden in bags—taken by the Burmese reporters as they put their lives on the line to make sure that the world knew about the plight of their people. The film is likely to show more of the real story than we ever saw on our television.
Burma VJ will screen Sunday, March 15th at the Alamo South Lamar. For more information, check out the SXSW Film Festival schedule.
Where did these images come from? Since the foreign media were kept out of the country, it was up to the people of Burma to document (albeit secretly) the history taking place. About 30 Burmese reporters formed the group Democratic Voice of Burma, which found ways to sneak their video out of the country to world media outlets.
Burma VJ, a documentary by Anders Østergaard, pieces together this undercover footage—which might seem a bit shaky at times, since some of the videographers were carrying their cameras hidden in bags—taken by the Burmese reporters as they put their lives on the line to make sure that the world knew about the plight of their people. The film is likely to show more of the real story than we ever saw on our television.
Burma VJ will screen Sunday, March 15th at the Alamo South Lamar. For more information, check out the SXSW Film Festival schedule.
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