A screening of Thabyay: Creative Resistance in Myanmar, followed by a panel discussion on the future of elections and democracy in Myanmar, was held at Chiang Mai University (CMU) on Sept. 7.
“We wanted to give the message that everyone [in Myanmar] is a hero, and everyone has something that they can share, especially the artists, the musicians, the teachers…the doctors, whoever is contributing in some way to support this dream of democracy. It matters. Everyone matters,” Jeanne Hallacy, the director of Thabyay, told DVB.
The film is produced by Kirana Productions. Thabyay documents the lives of artists, writers, and community organizers after the 2021 military coup. It follows the 2021 documentary film Padauk: Myanmar Spring by Kirana Productions.
The title Thabyay carries significance in Myanmar culture. The Thabyay leaf is given when heroes return from victory. It also represents resilience, because it can survive under rain or sunshine.
A panel discussion hosted by human rights activist Debbie Stothard, founder of ALTSEAN-Burma, addressed Myanmar’s political and economic crisis with the looming threat of the regime scheduled elections, which will begin on Dec. 28.
“The hope that the election can bring any opening is zero. The junta has become even harder-line. The price of rice and fuel has increased by over 400 percent in four years, it’s unsustainable,” Stothard said. “We cannot embrace this election just because it is called an election. It’s harming not only people in Burma but also affecting the region.”
The film screening and panel discussion event was sponsored by The Regional Center for Social Science and Sustainable Development (RCSD) at CMU.
Thabyay features Myanmar anti-coup leaders, such as violinist Phoe San, Minister of Women, Youth, and Children Affairs in the National Unity Government (NUG) Susanna Hla Hla Soe, as well as human rights activist Thet Swe Win, and Maung Saungkha, a Burmese poet and the chief commander of the Bamar People’s Liberation Army (BPLA).
