 
|
Myanmar Movie Night
Apart from very few of us
who prefer to exist as reclusive. We have to smile and admit
that ever, so often, it sure is a great feeling o go to the
movies.
In a country like Myanmar, where you do not even understand
a word of the language, you would not expect to be interested
in local Myanmar Movies, let alone go and see one.
And yet, as soon as discovered, movie-going is not only alive
and well in Myanmar but the cinema halls are usually packed
with feature films from Hollywood-India. Hollywood-California,
gangsters and king-fu epics from Hong Kong and also Myanmar
Movies holding their own amidst the competition.
Myanmar are Movie Goers.
And Myanmar Films go back half-a-century or more with Young
and old simply asking for more. In fact, Movies are still
the main entertainment in towns and cities all over Myanmar
and in spite of stiff competition from video companies churning
out and endless variety of Myanmar video-films, cinemas still
thrive and hang out the "House Full" sign when they run Myanmar
feature films.
|
|
Surprisingly, although special
fx are not yet part of the Myanmar films, the down-to-earth
Themes, the stories highlighting the culture and history of
its peoples, the slapstick comedies, the "action" dramas with
considerable influence from Jackie Chan st al, appeal to the
movie-goers while creating mega-stars out of the actors and
actresses in the industry.
Movie night is an experience to be remembered.
While slowly absorbing visual information about the country
and the people, the audience, even if spellbound is hardly
sitting still. There is nibbling, chewing, whispering-more
crunching and nibbling and, just like all movie audiences,
laughter, oohs and aahs as the good-humored crowded enjoy
the film.
True, cinematography often leaves much to be desired but the
entertainment value is obvious, even for the local fans. Scenes
of rural life - the Hero coming upon a group of village rowdies
planning mischief while guzzling toddy-palm; young boys astride
water buffaloes meandering through the paddies evoking peace
and simplicity; scenes of the hustle and rush of big-city
life as the school-teacher heroine scrambles aboard a packed
bus and yet gets up a bus stop later to donate her seat to
a elderly men bring lasting impressions of the raw realism
of Myanmar movie.
Would that they never commercialize.
And bravo for Myanmar movies - with their legion of fans,
movie-going is still pure enjoyment.
|
|
