As Susan Sarandon narrated, “Once, Burma was the wealthiest country in Southeast Asia...today after forty years of military ruling in isolationist policy...it is one of the poorest...”
Documentary film director Isabel Hegner directed the documentary film on Burma, "Anatomy of Terror", with co-producers Bettina Koster and Justin Tan.
The screening and fund raising show sponsored by Free Burma Coalition (FBC) in New York was held at the Director’s Guild of America Theatres in New York.
FBC Policy Affairs Director Aung Din explained Susan Sarandon’s passion and commitment towards democratization in Burma. He said she is very fond of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and respects her dedication.
Ko Aung Din added, “the objectives of this fund raising is to support political prisoners in Burma...”
Before the screening, VOA had a chance to interview Susan Sarandon. When asked why she wanted to help make this film possible, Susan said, “Well, I would just say, most Americans are pretty sketchy about what was going on in Burma...this documentary...made me committed further to try to educate other Americans to put pressure on the military dictatorship of Burma.”
How can Americans help Burma? Susan Sarandon continued, “If we can do that economically, if we can do that educating Americans...they can put pressure on their Congress people. I certainly hope that people in Burma will understand that, to be strong because word is getting out little by little, though it started slowly through as many sources as we can make this public, that will help by hope to pressure Burma for change.”
Co-producer Justin Tan said, “Director Isabelle Hegner has been to Burma several times as a tourist during the past three to four years and shot this film discreetly. This is an overview of the current situation in Burma from different angles. It covers force labor, child soldiers, genocide, etc. Unfortunately, we couldn’t film everything in detail.”
Quite a large number of Burmese communities from New York City turned up for this charity show. New York residents U Mya Oo and Ko Win Shein Maung shared the same thoughts of contributing to the Burma cause that evening.
Since Director Isabelle Hegner is out of country and could not join the event, Naw May Oo read the acknowledgement message on her behalf.
The audience concluded the screening with chanting the Slogans of “Doh Ayay (our cause)!