Alice University student

I GO to the movies whenever a new production is released. I think movies should have the purpose of providing knowledge or awareness about important issues. For me, the plot is more important than the actors or actresses. I’d like to see more original thinking and creativity in Myanmar movies. Many movies lack original plots, a situation which is dissatisfying for audiences. The industry also needs more new faces but emerging actors and actresses do not receive enough opportunities to develop their talents. Even though movies are made one after another, we see the same faces in every production, is really boring. I like to watch all kinds of movies so there’s no particular genre that I prefer. One movie which made a strong impression on me because it displayed original thinking was Hna Yauk Ta Eine Mat (A dream had by two persons), which depicted the love between brothers and sisters. It was a satisfying movie and I thought it was interesting that the director chose to explore the love siblings have for each other, rather than making a movie about romantic love between a man and woman. Some old movies have retained their popularity because audiences appreciate the quality of their plots and production techniques. Movies should convey a message. They are a perfect medium for providing good messages to young people.

Ko Nay Myo PublisHer

I GO to the movies at least once a month. I prefer foreign productions. Among Myanmar movies, I especially enjoy productions based on well-known novels or those featuring historical events. I go to the movies to be entertained, but some Myanmar movies are boring and dissatisfying. Myanmar movies should try to meet international standards so that they can penetrate foreign markets, or at least those in Southeast Asia. Directors should learn from the international film industry so they can improve the quality of their productions. One important role of movies is to convey a useful message to audiences. For example, in Ponna Ba Kwun, the leading character of the same name becomes rich through hard work. So the lesson from the movie is that hard work can bring rewards. But in many movies the leading characters become rich because they have won lottery prizes or found a gold mine, and this gives audiences the impression that they have to rely on fate. I think many Myanmar movies are based on original ideas, but their presentation lacks innovation and creativity. I’d also like to see more new actors and actresses. One movie which I enjoyed very much and which displayed original thinking is Chit Par Naw Maung Ko (Love Me). It was based on a novel written by prominent author Mahar Swe and the actors and actresses matched perfectly with the characters in the novel.

Htar Htar Myint Freelance journalist

I ENJOY going to the movies, especially if it’s to see the latest production by director Maung Wunna. I like his movies because they depict people’s lives in a realistic way and the plots are acceptable. For me, the most important element of a movie is the ability of its actors and actresses rather than its plot. However, there is not enough plot variation and original thinking in the industry. Many movies are just reproductions of foreign films. I go to the movies for no other reason than to be entertained but I think they should convey some kind of useful message to audiences. It seems to me that film directors are more interested in making profits than in paying attention to whether the sets, costumes or character portrayals are appropriate. They think that an actress has only to wear a traditional blouse to play the role of a villager or for an actor to wear a false moustache and a grey-haired wig to portray an elderly man. There’s also a need to encourage young actors and actresses, partly because a bigger pool of talent would make it easier to match roles with characters. I seldom watch dramas and even when I do, I often want to laugh during the sad scenes because the emotions the characters are trying to convey are not convincing. Directors seem to focus on making comedies because they are more popular with audiences than productions about serious themes.