a movie for our times

“The Monk,” a film about a novice weighing the choice between monastic and lay life, has earned several awards as it continues on the international film festival circuit. Director The Maw Naing, 42, talks to The Irrawaddy’s Ma Set Hsu.

in Singapore. I’m looking forward to the show in Singapore because there are many Myanmar there and I would like to hear their feedback

Q: What kind of feedback do you think you will get from Myanmar audiences?

LGBT stories get an airing

YANGON — Myanmar’s first ever film festival devoted to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) issues takes place in the commercial capital this month.

Question: Why did you direct “The Monk”?

Answer: I’m more interested in art film than entertainment film. As I read more books on art films, I decided to create an art film as my first work. There are many, many nonsensical and ridiculous things taking place in Myanmar. Those are resources for us. I would like to show the international community what is happening. If we don’t do so, who will? The media do talk about what is happening in Myanmar, but their focus is on information. In the arts, it is not just about information.

The majority of Buddhist monks, who are respected a great deal in our society, are leading very hard lives. Again, I would like to communicate the message that most youth [in Myanmar] do not know exactly what they want to be, and many let their dreams fade away.

Q: In which countries will “The Monk” be screened next?

A: It will be shown at the Busan [International] Film Festival in Korea; in Poland; India; in Qatar’s Doha; in New York and, in December,

A: There will be criticism, for sure. For example, I write a poem about something and readers may think it is about something different. That’s their right. The way they understand it may be different from one another.

We have lived in a locked-up society. Those who grow up in a locked-up society are different from those who grow up in open societies. Those who grow up in a locked-up society are somewhat abnormal. We are not frank with each other. We dare not complain even when we are right. Since this has been going on for a long time, misunderstandings have emerged. Myanmar people have fear, since they were not allowed to think freely. Most people who have watched the entire film like it when they grasp the essence of it.

Q: How can the living conditions of the monkhood be improved? What is your assessment as an ordinary person, not as a director?

A: It is quite clear. It is all because of the military dictatorship. Things will get better gradually when there is no military dictatorship and everything is fair. You can’t build Rome in a day. It is common knowledge that many problems remain unresolved in Myanmar. 

The “&Proud LGBT Film Festival” will be held Nov. 14-16 at the French Institute in Sanchaung Township, and will feature about 30 films, discussions with filmmakers and an art exhibition. All screenings will be free of charge.

The organizers, including Colors Rainbow, YG Event, Equality Myanmar and several other gender-oriented organizations, said that the main purpose of the event is to increase awareness and tolerance of sexual identity issues.

“We hope that the festival will help the public to change their views about the LGBT community, or at least give them ideas that those views can be changed,” said U Hla Myat Tun of Colors Rainbow. One of the difficulties for Myanmar’s LGBT community, he said, is negative representation in popular culture. Alternative gender and sexual identities are often portrayed insensitively in movies, magazines and other popular media.

“We want to make the point that members of the LGBT community should be proud,” he added.

The organizers said there will be a diverse line-up of films from mainly Asean countries, including Cambodia, Malaysia and Thailand. At least five films will be from Myanmar.

A program of three short films made by 10 young members of Myanmar’s LGBT community will premier at the event. —San Yamin Aung