The Onion Cellar’s Sounds by Southeast Film Festival is screening this week in Hanoi, to coincide with ASEAN Pride 2015. Festival curator Trần Duy Hưng introduces the films, and explains why they are so worth watching.
The second film being show is Yangon Calling, an exploration of the underground punk scene in Myanmar’s former capital city.
Words by Trần Duy Hưng
Yangon Calling is no generic talking-heads music documentary. This exploration of Myanmar’s underground music scene goes much deeper than just the history of music in the country. Though the music could not be more different from our opening film, Harana – trading Spanish influenced serenades for rowdy punk rock and the lush Filipino countryside for Yangon’s dusty urban setting – at their heart, both films champion an unadulterated romanticism. Yet in the case of the punks of Myanmar this romanticism is even more commendable. With the closest equivalent being the punk and antifa scenes of Russia, punk music in Myanmar has an indisputable political dimension and poses real threats of violence and possible imprisonment for its members.
Taking viewers straight to the heart of the action, the raw Cinema Verite style of Yangon Calling manages to portray the inherent paranoia of a country in the brutal grip of military dictatorship, as well as the punks’ absolute disregard of the dangers facing them at the time. Just look at the way they strut through the streets of Yangon, confidently and proudly.
Though the situation has considerably changed since the time of filming, one can imagine the resistance is still very much real and alive. In a way, the film acts as a heartening encouragement to everyone and anyone involved in resistance and alternative ways of life, be it in arts and music, or otherwise.
For more background on the situation these musicians are dealing with check out They Call It Myanmar for a fascinating look at this intriguing and beautiful country and the new developments that have been brought about in the last 3 to 4 years.
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Coinciding with ASEAN Pride 2015, The Onion Cellar is putting on a film festival celebrating the sounds of Southeast Asia by showcasing an array of great music documentaries.
Film Festival Program
10. June Harana – Cinematheque
17. June Yangon Calling – Cama ATK
19. June Y/our Music – Cama ATK
