Original Film Title: Guardians of Paradise
Director’s Name: Ivan Maria Friedman
Writer’s Name: Ivan Maria Friedman
Producer’s Name: Ivan Maria Friedman
Country of Origin: Switzerland
Country of Filming: Myanmar
Language: English
Runtime: 11 minutes 48 seconds
Film Description:
An intimate glance into the Burmese life and culture in the months preceding the 2021 military coup. A meditation on Freedom & Peace to support the People of Myanmar in their painful struggle towards self-determination and a more equal society.
This short film was shot with the generous participation of the people of Bagan, a famous historical and religious site in Myanmar, between 2019 and 2020.
On February first 2021, the army has overthrown the democratically elected government in a coup d’état that dramatically affected 54 million Burmese, plunging the whole country into a state of fear, extreme violence and isolation.
Currently trapped between new waves of Covid, their own military killing them and a collapsing economy, the situation in Burma is a humanitarian disaster that reaches new lows every single day.
To this day, at least 1375 innocent civilians were killed by the army, 11202 were arrested, among whom journalists, artists, actors, fashion models, influencers and political opponents. 65 were sentenced to death penalty for protesting against the regime, and an estimated 250,000 people have been displaced by violence and fighting.
In a moment where they need international attention the most, this work wish to portray the uniqueness of the Burmese culture, as well as to bear witness of their incredible strength, whose true power lies in compassion, gracefulness, true generosity and human dignity.
With this film I hope to spread awareness on their tragic situation but also about the true beauty of this unique land and it’s people. I wish you enjoy this film about Bagan in Burma and its peaceful people whom I had the privilege to meet and spend time with.