Exiled from her homeland of Myanmar, revolutionary artist Chaw Ei Thein uses performance art and artwork to raise awareness about political repression, manifest her dissent, and express her fears and inner struggles.

Interview with Writer/Director/Producer Min Min Hein

Congratulations! Why did you make your film?

Thank you!

As a person who was born and raised under military dictatorship, I made this film to encourage myself, my fellow Burmese, and anyone who has such similar experience like me. Furthermore, I want to share my experience of meeting this amazing woman artist, Chaw Ei Thein and want to introduce her to as many people as I could.

I first met her back in September 2015. I was touched by her personal story of how she had been through as a woman artist under oppressive military junta. In the meantime, her genuine personality, authentic art work and performance art inspired me.

With my film, I would like to tribute to people who are not able to express what they believe and feel, to stay wherever they want and with whomever they want to live with, and to those whose fundamental human rights are violated.

Here comes the film!

Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?

This film will let you expose with intimate human expression. There is pain, struggle, danger, passion, joy, courage, and peace. On top of that, you will observe contemporary Burmese art.

How do personal and universal themes work in your film?

Learn from ups and downs but never stay with it. We will get up and stand tall whenever we fall down.

How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?

Things had been changing over the course of production. The more I learn about the artist, the deeper I understand how to craft this film. Every single stage matters and every aspect I have encountered supports me to complete this film in this specific way.

What type of feedback have you received so far?

I am pleased by the reactions especially from female audience. Audience seems to engage this film.

Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?

There was feedback which totally surprised me. One was from a young man from Myanmar. After screening, he mentioned that he could not make film like me. Then, he continued to ask me if I could advise someone like him who is not artist and who wants to contribute his society to be a better place. I was moved by his reaction to my film. I am glad to know that he was inspired by the film.

Another one was from a woman audience. She approached me after screening, and asked me if I were the director of the film. I said, “Yes!” She told me that she thought the film was made by a woman director.

What a surprise!

What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?

It is such an honor to appear on We Are Moving Stories. I believe the film will have more recognition.

Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?

I appreciate any assistance and collaboration. My goal is to reach as much audience as possible.

What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?

Audience engagement is first priority. On top of that, the greatest impact is when the audience can find emotional connection with the film.

What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?

Will Chaw be able to go back to Myanmar?

Would you like to add anything else?

Please watch listen. If you have any question or feedback or review, I want to invite you to come and stop by at Listen’s official Facebook page.

What other projects are the key creative developing or working on now?

I am making a documentary film about traditional dancers of Myanmar, and developing a debut feature.

Interview: February 2018

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Listen

Length: 13:09mins

Director: Min Min Hein

Producer: Min Min Hein , Sai Win Htut San

Writer: Min Min Hein

About the writer, director and producer:

Min Min Hein is a Burmese film director and director of photography from Myanmar. Min has learned basic and advanced acting courses at the Myanmar Motion Picture Organization in 2008 and 2012. In 2011, as Min perceived his aspiration to share his experience and perspective on life with others, he believed that film is one of the best ways to interpret his inner motives and stories he has witnessed throughout his life. Accordingly, in 2013, he has begun his career as a film director and cinematographer with a short documentary film, Monks, which won the Best Documentary Award in the Solidarity Shorts Film Contest, held in Warsaw, Poland. He produces, directs and shoots several short narrative and documentary films including A Treasure of Dry Zone (2014), At The Horizon (2014) and Hope (2015). Min has participated as a fellow of Asian Film Academy 2014, and he has earned MFA in Film degree at the City Collage of New York as a Fulbright scholar.

Key cast: Chaw Ei Thein

Looking for (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists): distributors, film festival directors, journalists

Social media handles: Listen

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thefilmlisten/

Website: http://ccny-cityvisions.org/listen/

Where can I watch it next and in the coming month?

Omura * Amami International Student Film Festival on February 24-25 in Omura city,Nagasakion, Japan

IAWRT Asian Women’s Film Festival from 5-7 March in Delhi, India

Chicago Feminist Film Festival from 7-9 March at Columbia College, Chicago

Independent Political Activism Short Film Festival from 16-22 April in Athens, Greece

Feminist Border Arts Film Festival on April 16 at New Mexico State University in Las Cruces, New Mexico