ANDERS OSTERGAARD
Bil’s rating (out of 5): BBBB.5.
Original title: Burma VJ: Reporter I Et Lukket Land
Denmark/Sweden/Norway/United Kingdom/USA/Germany/The Netherlands/Israel/Spain/Belgium/Canada, 2008. Kamoli Films, Magic Hour Films ApS, Mediamente, WG Film. Cinematography by Simon Plum. Produced by Lise Lense-Moller. Music by Conny Malmqvist. Film Editing by Simon Plum. Academy Awards 2009. National Board of Review Awards 2009.
Outstanding documentary that puts absolutely no unnecessary frills on its subject matter. Politically active journalists in Burma respond to their repressive government’s regime by videotaping all inhumane activity committed by authorities, filming them secretly and sneaking the footage to the outside world, usually at their own risk. Violent uprisings and their aftermath, individual demonstrations and other rousing spectacles have been caught by these very brave individuals and weaved together by director Anders Ostergaard to make a captivating and tragic look at a nation whose citizens are most definitely not satisfied with their leaders but are unable to respond in any free or democratic manner. There is some narration by one particular reporter who shares his experiences with the audience, but otherwise there is little interference with the source material at hand, and it only makes it that much more fascinating and riveting to watch.
