Film

What's on at the cinema plus reviews of the latest movie and DVD releases

Search cinema listings

Browse cinemas A-Z

Search 20,000 reviews

 

Burma VJ (2008)

Director: Anders Ostergard

5

Time Out rating

Average user rating
3 reviews

Movie review

From Time Out London

Click here to read our interview with 'Burma VJ' director

Recent events on the streets of Tehran have demonstrated just how vital new technologies are becoming in the global struggle for personal and political freedoms. This will come as no surprise to the members of the Democratic Voice of Burma, a loose, underground collective of local news gatherers dedicated to exposing the truth about the repressive tactics practised by their government. Danish documentarian Anders Østergaard's film collects footage shot by DVB activists – plus tastefully integrated recreations – to recall the events of summer 2007, when a popular uprising threatened to spill into outright revolution as the Buddhist monks of Rangoon led their people on to the streets in open protest.

This footage, captured on cheap digital cameras by operators fully aware that, if caught, they would be imprisoned and tortured, and smuggled out of the country to the DVB’s home bases in Bangkok and Copenhagen, is, by its very nature, rough and unprofessional. But it’s also raw, immediate and, at times, overwhelmingly powerful, capturing in remarkable, street-level detail the joyous, optimistic first days of the protest and the vicious crackdown that followed. The characters – including faceless editor-in-exile Joshua – are ordinary people engaged in a desperate struggle, not just for their own survival, but for the future of their country in the face of intolerance at home and ignorance abroad. It’s a flawlessly constructed piece of work, as relentlessly gripping as it is educational, a righteous and even uplifting paean to the continued importance of collective protest, and a stirring testament to individual bravery. For truthseekers everywhere, ‘Burma VJ’ is simply unmissable.

Click here to read our interview with 'Burma VJ' director

Author: Tom Huddleston 2009-07-14 11:37:05

Time Out London Issue 2030, 16-23 July, 2009


  • Print this page
  • Send to a friend

User reviews of this film

  • Claire said...
    Posted on Jul 26 2009 16:36 deeply moving film about 21st century repression and resistance
    Report as inappropriate
  • Jackson G said...
    Posted on Jul 16 2009 16:10 This is a must see film for both content and production.
    It is one of the best documentaries I have seen in many years, it flows brilliantly, is deeply engaging and is edited superbly. The images that have been captured are both thought provoking and horrifying - now is the time for the UK to stand up to our government and get them to take action. Everyone should see this film!
    Report as inappropriate
  • Petr said...
    Posted on May 20 2009 13:50 great movie about the situazion in Burma
    Report as inappropriate

What do you think?
Post your review now

clear rating
Min 1 star. Zero stars will be treated as unrated.

*mandatory fields


Get 2 for 1 cinema tickets with Orange Click Here

Cast & crew

Director: Anders Ostergard

Genre(s): Documentaries

Duration: 87 mins

UK Release: Jul 17 2009
US Release: May 22 2009

Related articles




Top Stories

Stephen Poliakoff discusses 'Glorious 39'

Stephen Poliakoff discusses 'Glorious 39'

Stephen Poliakoff’s ‘Glorious 39’ is his first film for cinema since ‘Food of Love’ in 1997. Dave Calhoun met him

Is 'Paranormal Activity' the new 'Blair Witch'?

Is 'Paranormal Activity' the new 'Blair Witch'?

How does a film go from DIY experiment to box-office smash? 'Paranormal Activity' director Oren Peli explains

Steven Soderbergh on 'The Informant!' and 'The Girlfriend Experience'

Steven Soderbergh on 'The Informant!' and 'The Girlfriend Experience'

We talk to Steven Soderbergh about his two forthcoming films: one featuring a porn star, the other a chubby Matt Damon

A gateway to all things 'New Moon'

A gateway to all things 'New Moon'

In anticipation of 'The Twilight Saga: New Moon', Time Out is offering the chance to pick up a limited edition pack with three exclusive magazines and a free poster.

London Children's Film Festival

London Children's Film Festival

Read our exclusive reviews of films playing at the 2009 London Children’s Film Festival

The films that deserve a TV spin-off

The films that deserve a TV spin-off

With Roland Emmerich suggesting he'd like to make a '2012' TV spin-off, we propose some more movie-to-TV serialisations

The Coen brothers discuss 'A Serious Man'

The Coen brothers discuss 'A Serious Man'

Masters of contrary comedy, Joel and Ethan Coen have struck gold again with their latest, ‘A Serious Man’

Michael Haneke discusses 'The White Ribbon'

Michael Haneke discusses 'The White Ribbon'

Dave Calhoun met with Michael Haneke in Munich to mull over the details of his Palme d'Or winner, 'The White Ribbon'

Ten inspirations behind 'Avatar'?

Ten inspirations behind 'Avatar'?

Time Out ponders the influences behind James Cameron's anticipated space-opera on the basis of the trailer

Time Out's 50 greatest animated films with commentary by Terry Gilliam

Time Out's 50 greatest animated films with commentary by Terry Gilliam

In celebration of the release of Pixar's 'Up' and Wes Anderson's 'Fantastic Mr Fox', read our rundown of fifty classic feature length animations