PEOPLE WANT TO SHARE THEIR STORIES

Following a call for film ideas, Mahamate gave 15, mostly young, film directors a
grant to make a short film.

As the entrants had varied knowledge of issues specific to key population groups
affected by HIV, Mahamate invited them to attend a workshop covering these issues
and film technique. The workshop involved experts from the Myanmar National Human
Rights Commission Office, Myanmar MSM & TG Network, Sex Worker in Myanmar Network,
Assistant Association of Political Prisoners and also famous script writer Daw Pone
Nya Khin.

Many of the filmmakers said that, as a result of the film contest, they began to
realise how people living with HIV and those from marginalised populations can
suffer unfair conditions, and the films reflect this reality.

The winning film �Cage in�, shows the damaging extent of current drug laws when a
young woman is arrested for being with her boyfriend when he�s caught possessing
drugs. Similar incidences are happening across Myanmar, and the film is causing
viewers to question how the law is applied and its injustice.

�Choice� is a story of friendship between a gay man facing isolation from

colleagues and his family, and a sex worker being violated by male clients.
�Exclusion� shows a father and ex-drug user struggling to stay away from drugs, but
ended in him being arrested for selling drugs due to pressure from his friends to
continue. �A human, yet not considered a human being� introduces a young female sex
worker who is wrongly accused in a drugs case.

HARD HITTING ISSUES PROVOKE STRONG REACTIONS

The films played to the general public at the Goethe-Institute, but the biggest
viewing figures came on social media, with the films reaching more than 172,000
people.

It is still difficult to talk about human rights in Myanmar, especially for people
living with HIV or those who are marginalised due to their sexual orientation, or
because they use drugs, or sell sex.

The films certainly provoke strong reactions, showing some deep-rooted perceptions
of masculinity, homosexuality and drug use in Myanmar. One commentator said: �The
film is good, but I can�t accept why the guy looks like a gay, he should behave
like a man.� Another said: �Please make a video of dying in the street due to drug
addict[ion].� And another: �Why not exclude them [people who use drugs], I do.�

A CRUCIAL STEP TOWARDS CHANGING HEARTS AND MINDS

But the majority of comments show people responding positively to the films�
messages on equality for people most affected by HIV. One person said: �The film
highlights the weakness of Myanmar�s justice system, [you] should continue making
more films.� Another posted: �The country has [illegal] drugs available everywhere,
but justice is not accessible for poor and vulnerable people.�

Other posts pointed to changing attitudes towards the lesbian, gay, bisexual and
transgender (LGBT) community, such as this comment: �I also think sometimes mocking
or cursing LGBT [people] could be mocking or cursing my own child.�

Audience members also see their own experiences mirrored in the films, insisting
the films were true, with comments such as: �Yes, these things are happening in
reality.�

The films are encouraging viewers to express their opinions and thoughts and
reaching larger numbers of people than traditional film festivals through social
media. It is an effective way to engage people in Myanmar, who might not otherwise
be reached, with stories from marginalised people who are battling stigma and
discrimination. The hope is that one day, such films will be made only about
history, and not about today.

Original Source: https://frontlineaids.org/myanmar-film-contest-empowers-

marginalised-people-to-speak-out/