Beyond Rangoon

A country of the people, by the people, and for the people. 'Beyond Rangoon', directed by John Boorman, is based on a real-life event, the Democracy Movement of Burma (now Myanmar) by its people, against the Junta system. Every soul with senses will be touched by the spirit of the Burmese in this 140 minutes long movie.
Awe-inspiring, touching yet containing numerous violence scenes, this movie describes a widow, Dr. Laura Bowman (acted by Patricia Arquette), who had just lost her family to robbers seeking for peace in the west. Her heart has nowhere to go but her dead husband and son.
Yet, the political unrest makes her trapped in the country as she lost her passport. Confronting with the brutal repression by the Junta, she flees into the jungle for her life, but nothing else more. Moment between life and death, there is where the inspiration comes from in this movie.
Professor Aung Ko, her tourist guide before the massacre happens, is the figure of justice in the whole movie.
"Seems like all they(the birds) know is the cage", he says as his opening dialogue with Dr. Laura when she freed a bird she bought for good deed but ended with the bird flew back into the cage. He is implying the need of Burmese to free themselves from the cage, with courage and knowledge, rather than follow the rule set by the Junta blindly.
Upholding Aung San Syu Ki's democracy principle, this folk fight for liberty, with non-violence movement, willing to sacrifice his life for his people. But there is no match comparing to Aung San Suu Kyi courage to stand in front the guns, serenely.
Aung San Syu Ki, the daughter of the late General Aung San, a western-educated scholar, a democracy figure to all Burmese, a Noble Peace Prize winner, is nothing more than the hope of all Burmese.
I was much intrigued of what Myanmar now is, as my colleague back in a small Dim Sum restaurant in Penang were mostly Burmese. I asked them why they left their country, but due to literacy problem, they just kept on repeating 'Aung San Su Ki' and 'ho liao' (in hokkien, means incredible'). They failed to give me a good perception as Immigration Commission always comes unpredictably, hunting those illegal immigrants down, and send them back to their respective country not until I watched this movie.
Thank god Malaysian government treats them friendly and nice, provides them with ample food, shelter and free transportation back to their hometown. Again, not until just now, I would never know why after being sent back, they keep on smuggle back here.
Malaysia is a heaven for them! Is a place where human dignity is valued. A place where every human being is respected. Lest forget about the fair or unfairness of the government, but our people, the Malaysians undoubtedly are so nice and friendly people, like me!
Ever imagine if you are in such circumstances where leaders rule with fear, by inflicting pain on you to gain respect and obedience? You can hop on a flight to Tripoli if you really want to experience it!
You need not to do so if you're a Malaysian, since as long as Malaysians are still Malaysians, this will never happen. Lets say, what if, what if it really happens? Just remember this phrase by Mr. David Chen (for Penangites, familiar right? David Chen Garden huh??), "Community and nation above all, and step forward in unity. If anyone could embrace this vision, how possibly could an enemy be successful in weakening us?" For the sake of this phrase, a communist bullet penetrated his chest on his way to Chung Ling High School as a Principal half century back then. Rest in peace my hero.

Inspiring movie for a young spirit is highly recommended. That's is why I'm watching movie instead of studying for tomorrow's test. And also writing this post so that you too, could know about this movie, and share the same sentiment after watching 'Beyond Rangoon'.

Hope that differentiation tomorrow will be easy *fingers tightly-crossed
P/S: but nothing comes easy in life, not even sex. DAMN!