A powerful new 120-minute independent film titled ‘RAY’ made its official press debut in Sydney on Sunday, offering international audiences a raw look into the human cost of Myanmar’s ongoing civil conflict.
Directed by exiled filmmaker The Khit Nay and produced by Robert and Sophia Sarkis, the English-language feature is entirely generated by revolutionary Burmese artists operating in exile.
It tracks the dramatic, true-life transformation of a prominent celebrity who traded a life of luxury to participate in the armed uprising to the Feb. 1, 2021 military coup.
The story of Htar Htet Htet
The film is directly inspired by the real life of Htar Htet Htet, 36, who rose to prominence after winning the Miss Popular Award at the Miss Grand International 2013 pageant in Bangkok.
She later parlayed that fame into a highly successful domestic acting career starting in 2014.
Her reality shattered overnight during the 2021 coup. After participating in the anti-coup protests in Yangon, she fled a brutal military crackdown to Karen State along the Myanmar-Thailand border.
In April 2021, she completed rigorous combat training under the Karen National Defence Organization (KNDO)—a key armed wing of the Karen National Union (KNU)—and joined the armed resistance.
This film represents the hopes, struggles, courage, and resilience of millions of people,” Htar Htet Htet shared during a post-screening panel. “We wanted audiences to connect with the human side of what is happening in Myanmar.”
Htar Htet Htet has since sought asylum in Australia. Filmmakers revealed that approximately 95 per cent of the movie maps directly onto her real-life journey, with portions of the film incorporating real smartphone footage she captured while on the frontlines.
An All-Star cast of exiles
‘RAY’ is based on the popular book ‘Ma Yai Lae Tan (Unshakable)’ by writer Khat Zaw. What sets the production apart is its ensemble cast, featuring some of Myanmar’s most recognizable A-list stars who are themselves wanted by the junta:
- Min Maw Kunn: An award-winning actor and singer who was slapped with a military arrest warrant in 2021 for using his massive public platform to condemn the coup. He sought asylum in Australia in 2022.
- Daung (Thura Aung): A prominent leading man who starred in the 2022 historical drama From Chao Phraya to Irrawaddy and the 2025 Netflix horror hit Omukade. He was officially stripped of his Myanmar citizenship in 2022 under Section 16 of the 1982 Citizenship Law. He currently resides in Thailand.
‘RAY’ Cast & Crew Profiles
├── Lead Actress: Htar Htet Htet (Pageant winner turned KNDO fighter)
├── Co-Star: Min Maw Kunn (In exile, Australia)
├── Co-Star: Daung (Citizenship revoked; based in Thailand)
└── Director: The Khit Nay (Melbourne-based filmmaker)
Screening for a Cause: Where to Watch
Director The Khit Nay emphasizes that the film transcends simple cinematic entertainment, acting instead as a historical archive of a generation fighting to survive.
“This is not just one person’s story,” The Khit Nay told DVB. “RAY is a ray of hope for everyone fighting for Myanmar democracy.”
To ensure the project directly aids the revolution, the filmmakers have pledged that all proceeds from ticket sales will be donated to internally displaced persons and humanitarian relief networks inside Myanmar.
Upcoming Australian screenings:
- Sydney: June 27 at Palace Cinemas Moore Park.
- Melbourne & Perth: June 28.
International releases in the United Kingdom, Canada, and Japan are currently scheduled for later this year, with dates to be announced soon via the official website, RAY The Movie.
