A MYANMAR film has been selected for inclusion in China’s annual Rooster and Flowers Film Festival, to be held September 15-20 in Yinchuan in the Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region.

A copy of the film – Pay sat thu toe ei hnit lone thar (the hearts of the givers) – was taken back to China to consider for entry in the festival by a delegation from the Chinese Film Association headed by the organisation’s secretary-general, Mrs Lieu Xiuwen, following their visit to Myanmar in May.

The film was directed by Kyi Soe Htun and is set in the 11th century during the Bagan era.

A new version of the film – edited down to 110 minutes from the original 150 to conform to the rules of the festival – was sent to the association on August 7.

“This is the second film from Myanmar that has been granted entry into the festival,” said U Thein Htun Aung, a director from the Myanmar Motion Picture Enterprise under the Ministry of Information.

The first film – screened at the 2001 event, the first attended by delegates from Myanmar – was Pan thakhin (master of flowers), directed by U Kyee Myint.

“We will send a five-member delegation of representatives from the film industry, including an official from Myanmar Motion Picture Enterprise,” U Thein Htun Aung said.

Other members of the group will include two officials from Myanma Motion Picture Organisation; the film’s director, Kyi Soe Htun; and Myo Thandar Htun, who produced and acted in the movie.