Burma VJ: Reporting from a Closed Land (2008)

Original title: Burma VJ: Reporter i et lukket land

Director: Anders Ostergaard

Writers: Anders Ostergaard, Jan Krogsgaard

Composer: Conny C-A Malmqvist

Starring: Ko Muang, Aung San Suu Kyi

More info: IMDb


Plot: Using smuggled footage, this documentary tells the story of the 2007 protests in Burma by thousands of monks.

My rating: 7.5/10

Will I watch it again? No.

I knew Burma was in bad shape when I saw  RAMBO (2008) and in the press surrounding the film Stallone said they wanted to set the film in the worst, most repressive regime in the world and they chose Burma. Too bad we don't have a few John Rambos we can cut loose on those fuckers over there.  This documentary is entirely comprised of footage captured by brave Burmese citizens filming the goings on of the military-run government's attempt at keeping their people in line and under control.  They've killed countless protesters and enemies of the state to silence them.  I can't imagine living under conditions like that.  it's a well-constructed film that has the added suspense of keeping you glued to the edge of your seat wondering how this is going to end.  Check it out.  The Oscilloscope DVD has a bunch of extras like trailers for 15 Oscilloscope films (including this picture), a commentary, an 11 minute interview with one of the cameramen, Burmese Monks' Stories from the Uprisings (27 minutes), a message from Richard Gere (really?) (4 minutes) and a 29 minute short film, CROSSING MIDNIGHT.