| Monks Take a Stand | ||
| Burma VJ | ||
| Review by Ross Anthony | ||
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It’s profound, amazing, important and very hard to watch. Screening this documentary is difficult in part because of the oppressiveness and the violence on Monks and civilians and in part due to the shakey guerrilla camera work. These brave “video jockeys” risked their lives, risked their freedom to snatch glimpses of the brutality of Burma’s military government. So, we can’t expect crisp steady shots of the action. Sometimes these guys were running from gunfire with the camera in or hanging out of the bag. These “in the field” sequences are edited with intermittent visits to a vj coordinator in Thailand. We hear the conversations (in English) between he and his vj who is live and in the field during citizen/soldier conflicts. One cannot help but admire the courage and spirit of these modern-day freedom fighters. However, the documentary left me wanting to know more about the history of this regime, the history and religion of the Monks, the daily life of ordinary citizens during less tense times and during tense times. There is so much more to know about this conflict. Don’t get me wrong, this incredible footage should be seen. The oppressive government needs to be exposed and the plight of the citizens of Burma needs to known to the rest of the world, I just think there are better ways to use this footage -- youtube would be one excellent way. Directed by Anders Ostergarrd, Screenplay by Anders Ostergaard and Jan Krogsgaard. Producer Lise Lense-moller at Magic Hour Films. |
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Grade..........................B (2/4) |
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Copyright © 1998-2023 Ross Anthony, Author - Speaker - Solo World Circumnavigator In addition to reviewing films and interviewing celebs at HollywoodReportCard.com, traveling the world, composing great music, motivational speaking, Mr. Anthony also runs his own publishing company in the Los Angeles area. While traversing the circumference of the planet writing books and shooting documentaries, Mr. Anthony has taught, presented for, worked &/or played with locals in over 30 countries & 100 cities (Nairobi to Nagasaki). He's bungee-jumped from a bridge near Victoria Falls, wrestled with lions in Zimbabwe, crashed a Vespa off a high mountain road in Taiwan, and ridden a dirt bike across the States (Washington State to Washington DC). To get signed books ("Rodney Appleseed" to "Jinshirou") or schedule Ross to speak check out: www.RossAnthony.com or call 1-800-767-7186.
Go into the world and inspire the people you meet with your love, kindness, and whatever it is you're really good at. Check out books by Ross Anthony. Rand() functions, Pho chicken soup, rollerblading, and frozen yogurt (w/ blueberries) also rock! (Btw, rand is short for random. It can also stand for "Really Awkward Nutty Dinosaurs" -- which is quite rand, isn't it?) Being alive is the miracle. Special thanks to Ken Kocanda, HAL, Jodie Keszek, Don Haderlein, Mom and Pops, my family, R. Foss, and many others by Ross Anthony. Galati-FE also deserves a shout out. And thanks to all of you for your interest and optimism. Enjoy great films, read stirring novels, grow. |
