Burma VJ

Directed by Anders Østergaard, Burma VJ tells the story of Burma’s underground network of video journalists, who risked their lives to capture footage of the September 2007 uprising by Buddhist monks and civilians against the ruling military junta. The film is narrated by 27-year-old ‘Joshua,’ who coordinates a crew of journalists for the Democratic Voice of Burma and whose job it is to record, collect and smuggle footage to the world’s press.

The film provides a fascinating insight into how Joshua and his team were able to obtain their extraordinary footage in the first place. Though the film is frightening and desperately sad in places, it also contains moments of joyous triumph, such as when Joshua discovers his footage on the BBC. This is, however, followed by crushing depression, because you realise that the rebellion was eventually crushed and that the political situation remains unchanged.

Like the best political documentaries, Burma VJ provokes both sadness and anger, while (hopefully) inspiring you to take action of some kind. It’s also a deeply moving story about human courage and the astonishing tenacity of the journalistic spirit.

– Matthew Turner, ViewLondon