Lu Min, actor and chairman of Myanmar [Burma] Motion Picture Association (MMPA), told DVB that he will not seek reappointment for the coming year.

The popular movie star said he wants to spend more time working as an actor, and that leaving his position as chairman has nothing to do with complaints or personal grievances.

The MMPA has not yet announced a date to elect his successor.

The association’s chairperson is selected by majority vote among a commission comprising various film industry representatives, elected by the association’s general membership.

MMPA Director Kyi Soe Htun said that they would ideally find a committed candidate that can spend considerable time on steering the group.

The MMPA is an independent oversight body formed in April 2012 by Burma’s leading film industry professionals. The association seeks to support and regulate Burma’s film industry as the nation’s media is slowly weaned from government control.

Burma had a rich and lively early cinematic tradition, which suffered under the rule of Ne Win. Strict censorship and production of propaganda altered the country’s cinematic identity, which continued to deteriorate under the State Peace and Development Council.

Lu Min was the second chairman of the MMPA, preceded by Zin Wyne, another leading man in Burma’s movie starscape.

 

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