Burmese film star and film Lu Min, the chairperson of the Myanmar Motion Picture Organisation (MMPO), has been reprimanded by the group’s board members for appearing in a promotional video for the opposition party National League for Democracy.
Lu Min told DVB he was verbally warned by the association at a MMPO meeting on Monday.
“I was lectured by some board members regarding the film I appeared in and warned not to do this again. I was not made to sign any agreement but was told that my actions could tarnish the image and credibility of the film association,” he said.
“In response, I offered to resign from my position. However the executive members insisted, so I will remain as the incumbent chairperson of the association.”
He added that he had starred in the movie, titled ‘Time to change’, in the capacity of a Burmese citizen and artist, not as the MMPO chairperson.
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The film was co-directed by Mike Tee and Wyne, and featured actors Khant Si Thu, Htun Eindra Bo, Khine Thin Kyi, Thinzaw Wint Kyaw, Chitthu Wei, Moeyan Zune and Myitta.
In the short film, Lu Min plays the role of a political activist who strikes up a conversation with a fellow bus passenger while they are gridlocked in Rangoon traffic. The two lament that the people of Burma stagnate without development, which they attribute to the current political system. In the closing scene they assert: “Let’s not be perplexed – there’s only one choice for us and that is the National League for Democracy. Otherwise, the past 50 years will just repeat itself.”
