or


[04/25/11 - 08:27 AM]
"Burma Soldier," The Gripping Tale of One Man's Journey from Willing Member of a Repressive Army to Civilian Crusader for Peace and Democracy, Debuts May 18 on HBO2
The project comes from first-time filmmaker Nic Dunlop and acclaimed documentarians Annie Sundberg and Ricki Stern.

[via press release from HBO]

"BURMA SOLDIER," THE GRIPPING TALE OF ONE MAN'S JOURNEY FROM WILLING MEMBER OF A REPRESSIVE ARMY TO CIVILIAN CRUSADER FOR PEACE AND DEMOCRACY, DEBUTS MAY 18 ON HBO2

First-Time Filmmaker And Award-Winning Journalist Nic Dunlop Collaborates With Acclaimed Documentarians Annie Sundberg And Ricki Stern

Myo Myint Cho joined the Burmese Army at age 17 for the same reason many other young Burmese men did: to find security, respect and gainful employment. Before losing a limb to a land mine, he supported the brutal military regime that has run the country for more than 45 years. After his injury, he began an awakening that led him to join the pro-democracy movement.

Directed by first-time filmmaker Nic Dunlop and acclaimed documentarians Annie Sundberg and Ricki Stern ("Joan Rivers: A Piece of Work," HBO's "The Trials of Darryl Hunt"), BURMA SOLDIER exposes Burma's abusive totalitarian system through the first-hand testimony of someone who was a part of it when the film debuts WEDNESDAY, MAY 18 (8:00-9:15 p.m. ET/PT), exclusively on HBO2. Actor Colin Farrell narrates.

Other HBO2 playdates: May 27 (11:00 a.m.) and 31 (2:15 p.m.)

Combining interviews, archival footage and still photographs, much of it smuggled out of the country under great duress, BURMA SOLIDER traces the history of Burma from 1948, when the country gained independence from Britain, showing how it became the nation it is today. In 1962, General Ne Win, the head of the military, staged a coup, imposing military rule and leaving the country crippled under a socialist economy. Despite the diversity of the region, Ne Win dictated harsh rules outlining a single Burmese ethnic identity that was considered superior to all other groups in an effort to control ethnic minorities.

As he waits in a refugee camp in Thailand while seeking asylum in the United States, Myo Myint recalls the journey that brought him there. Unable to find a job as a teenager, he joined the army as an engineer mapping and clearing landmines, dreaming that he would work his way from the infantry to a better life. Along with many fellow soldiers were as young as he was (25% of them under age 16), Myo Myint underwent training that systematically normalized killing and torture to suppress insurgency.

With the country consumed by ongoing civil war, he was a witness to countless acts of brutality. A man who was arrested and interrogated was stabbed through the cheek. Soldiers used locals to sweep for mines. Young women, many from ethnic minorities, were raped and murdered. Myo Myint says of the soldiers' abuses, "For them, it is just as normal as eating and drinking."

After he was hit by a mortar and lost an arm, a leg and several fingers, Myo Myint had a change of heart, left the army, began a secret library of banned books and started organizing demonstrations against the regime.

In 1988, on the advice of an astrologer, General Ne Win drastically devalued the currency of the already impoverished country, stating that any monies divisible by the number nine were invalid. People took to the streets in protest. Arrested at a rally, Myo Myint was tortured and sentenced to 15 years in prison. His excessive punishment was due in part to his telling the judge, "I don't believe in the military regime."

For more than a decade, Myo Myint was not permitted to read or write in jail, but obtained some materials from friendly wardens. Although General Ne Win resigned while he was imprisoned, the military regime's control over the country continued. Eventually, the spread of the Internet allowed citizens to communicate clandestinely, sharing information about rampant violence and inequality in the country.

Myo Myint was released from prison at age 41, but remained under constant surveillance. He made the risky decision to flee to Thailand, where he could reestablish communication with family members.

Eventually he was able to join his brother and sister, from whom he had been separated for 20 years, in Ft. Wayne, Ind., which is home to the largest Burmese community in the U.S. Enjoying the freedom he once only dreamed about, Myo Myint continues to work for peace, freedom and democracy in Burma from his new home. He is one of more than a million Burmese who have fled to other countries to escape oppression.

Today, Burma's ruling military party continues to operate a closed media where foreign journalists are banned, censorship reigns and access to information is strictly controlled.

Nic Dunlop is an Irish photographer and author, based in Bangkok, whose work has appeared in numerous publications worldwide, including the Guardian, Independent, Daily Telegraph and New York Times.

Filmmaking partners for more than a decade, Ricki Stern and Annie Sundberg have collaborated on such critically acclaimed films as "The Trials of Darryl Hunt," which debuted on HBO in 2007 and received more than 20 festival awards, as well as "The Devil Came on Horseback" and "Joan Rivers: A Piece of Work," which received the award for Documentary Film Editing and was nominated for the Grand Jury Prize at the 2010 Sundance Film Festival.

BURMA SOLDIER was directed by Nic Dunlop, Annie Sundberg and Ricki Stern; cinematography by Michael Glowacki and Nic Dunlop; written by Nic Dunlop and Annie Sundberg; edited by Sin�ad Kinnane; music by Paul Brill; narrated by Colin Farrell; produced by Julie LeBrocquy, Annie Sundberg, Ricki Stern and Nic Dunlop; executive producer, Julie LeBrocquy. For HBO: senior producer, Nancy Abraham; executive producer, Sheila Nevins.





  [april 2011]  
S
M
T
W
T
F
S
     


· SHOWATCH
(series past and present)
· DEVWATCH
(series in development)
· MOVIEWATCH
(tv movies and mini-series)





[03/18/24 - 01:59 PM]
Chrissy Metz, Jaime Ray Newman, Katie Lowes, and George Ferrier Join as Series Regulars for Starz's New Drama "The Hunting Wives"
Production on the thrilling new series has started in Charlotte, North Carolina.

[03/18/24 - 11:30 AM]
Video: ALLBLK Releases Trailer for the World Premiere of New Thriller, "The Influencer" Premiering Thursday, April 4
The original film stars Christina Cooper as Niecy Fields, a social media influencer on the cusp of stardom.

[03/18/24 - 10:06 AM]
E! Announces Trendsetting Guest Judges and Pioneering Disruptors for New Cutting-Edge Design Competition Series "OMG Fashun" with Julia Fox
Handcrafted is the new haute couture on "OMG Fashun" as Julia inspires pioneering fashion disruptors to upend traditional style convention, break the rules and redefine cool.

[03/18/24 - 10:00 AM]
Video: Peacock Debuts Trailer For New Original Documentary "Bray Wyatt: Becoming Immortal" Premiering April 1
The documentary looks at the remarkable career of the late Windham Rotunda also known as Bray Wyatt, one of the most skillful, tenacious, and creative WWE Superstars of all-time.

[03/18/24 - 10:00 AM]
NBC Is the Official Home of Competition and Games This Summer with a Slate of Powerhouse Hit Series
NBC is the summer home for both the Paris Olympic Games and high-stakes competition with a robust lineup of returning powerhouse favorites, including "America's Got Talent," "American Ninja Warrior," "Password," "The Wall" and "Weakest Link."

[03/18/24 - 09:02 AM]
Netflix Announces News About 26 Upcoming Nordic Titles - Including 12 Brand New Titles
Plus: the streamer offers new looks at "Deliver Me," "The Helicopter Heist," "Ronja the Robber's Daughter," "Billionaire Island" and season two of "Baby Fever."

[03/18/24 - 09:01 AM]
Video: "Rebel Moon - Part Two: The Scargiver" - Official Trailer - Netflix
The rebels gear up for battle against the ruthless forces of the Motherworld as unbreakable bonds are forged, heroes emerge - and legends are made.

[03/18/24 - 09:01 AM]
Video: Disney's "Wish" - Streaming April 3rd - Disney+
Walt Disney Animation Studios' "Wish" is an all-new musical-comedy welcoming audiences to the magical kingdom of Rosas, where Asha, a sharp-witted idealist, makes a wish so powerful that it is answered by a cosmic force - a little ball of boundless energy called Star.

[03/18/24 - 08:01 AM]
Video: "Our Living World" - Cate Blanchett - Official Trailer - Netflix
This stunning nature series narrated by Cate Blanchett explores the intelligence, resourcefulness and interconnectedness of life on our planet.

[03/18/24 - 08:00 AM]
Acorn TV Fan-Favorite "Harry Wild" Returns Monday, May 13
Season three consists of six episodes and will be available on Acorn TV in the United States, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, and the United Kingdom.

[03/18/24 - 08:00 AM]
Prime Video Orders "Beast Games" from MrBeast and Amazon MGM Studios
Based on his already successful YouTube show, "Beast Games" is set to become the biggest reality competition series ever with 1000 contestants competing for a $5 million dollar cash prize which will be the biggest single prize in the history of television and streaming.

[03/18/24 - 07:14 AM]
ESPN+ Original Series "Full Court Press" Presented by State Farm Featuring Caitlin Clark, Kamilla Cardoso and Kiki Rice to Premiere May 11 & 12 on ABC and ESPN+
From Iowa's historic preseason game that broke attendance records all the way through the WNBA draft in April, the series uses unparalleled access, exclusive interviews, and unique game footage, to transport audiences into the lives of these exceptional athletes.

[03/18/24 - 06:01 AM]
Video: "Scoop" - Official Trailer - Netflix
Inspired by real events, this fictional dramatization gives an insider account of how the women of Newsnight secured Prince Andrew's infamous interview.

[03/18/24 - 06:01 AM]
Video: Apple TV+ Debuts Trailer for Season Two of Iconic Emmy Award-Winning Series "Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock," Premiering Globally March 29
Award-winning season two cast includes the return of Daveed Diggs alongside Ariana DeBose, Brett Goldstein, Catherine O'Hara, Adam Lambert and K-pop group aespa in guest star roles.

[03/18/24 - 04:01 AM]
Video: "Joy" - First Look Teaser - Netflix
Starring Thomasin McKenzie, James Norton and Bill Nighy, the new film based on the story of the birth of IVF.