Burma and the Media: Amplifying Voices for Democracy

The documentary, This Is Our Witness, opens with a truly horrifying scene—Burmese soldiers urinating on Burmese women prisoners. “This film will tear at your soul,” said Nobel Peace Laureate Maighread Maguire in her introduction. “We must all weep for Burma's women. But the film will also encourage you to act.”

Maguire and other Nobel Laureates are hoping to raise awareness about the atrocities committed for decades by the Burmese military against the people of Burma, especially the women. This Is Our Witness was recently screened for an audience at the Paley Center for Media, followed by a panel discussion moderated by Paley Center President and CEO Pat Mitchell. Those in attendance were urged to gain justice for Burma's women by helping to bring their case before the International Criminal Court.

This Is My Witness follows 12 Burmese women on their terrifying yet inspiring journey—from women who looked after their families, suffered torture and abuse at the hands of the soldiers, and finally emerged as international political activists. We see them going about their daily lives, cooking, cleaning, tending to children. Then we witness these same women suffering rape and torture. There is a brief image of one woman's face, ripped with a scar. Next, they are shown packing, not knowing whether they will be allowed to leave the country or, for that matter, allowed to come back. When we see them again, they are in New York, meeting in the tribunal, testifying, telling their stories.

One woman says, “I am angry and in pain everyday.” Another says, “My family does not want me to participate in politics,” but she continues to do so. Many women have adopted flat, emotionless faces and voices, in order to get through the testimony. It doesn't always work—they break down and weep, supported by a friend, on the podium.

Essentially, this is the story of how Burmese women who had previously held private traditional roles in their world, have become radicalized to the point that they are abandoning their traditional culture to take public action and to fight against a violent and brutal regime which will probably enact further reprisals against them. These women are gentle and soft spoken, but their wills are very strong.

The film ends with these women at the United Nations holding bright flowers and testifying near the Dag Hammaskjold Plaza, crying out for peace and justice for Burma. These same women whose agony we have seen, are transformed. They are in pain and grieving, yet determined to rally the world to their cause. The film ends with weeping, but not with mourning. And with the exhortation for the viewers to act.