“Myanmar film production did not amount to much” said Information Minister Brig-Gen Kyaw Hsan during his speech at the Academy Award Film Festival on 7 February. The 2008 Academy Award festival showcased only 11 Burmese films.
Brig-Gen Kyaw Hsan struck a cautionary note and said that several foreign films and CDs have entered Myanmar. Foreign film production far outstripped Myanmar films, and therefore it is a challenge for the Myanmar film and video producers. Foreign films are also a threat to national culture, patriotism and ethnic union.
The celebration was held in Burma's new capital Naypyidaw (Pyinmana). Unusually, ethnic representatives and the committee for drafting the constitution also attend the Academy Award festival.
Actor and actress Yang Aung and Nadar Hlaing were honoured with the leading drama award. Maung Myo Min was given the best director award.
Academy Director Win Phay told the BBC that because of the economic crisis in Myanmar film production has been affected.
"Film making is a costly business and filmmakers cannot afford to buy the necessary equipment. That is the reason why the standard of Burmese films is poor”, Win Phay added.
Source: Malay Chan, IMNA