URGENT APPEAL FOR PERFORMERS IN BURMA (MYANMAR)
During 2007 ICAF campaigned for the immediate release of performers arrested and detained in Burma (Myanmar).
Two of the most high profile cases were those of the comedians Par Par Lay and Zargana.
Par Par Lay, who is also known as U Pa Pa Lay, is a popular comedian in Burma and a member of the comedy troupe known as the Moustache Brothers. He was arrested on 25 September 2007 in the city of Mandalay during the crackdown by security forces on anti-government protestors. It is understood he was released following more than five weeks detention.
Zargana, also known as Thu Ra, is a trained dental surgeon and a famous comedian in Myanmar. He has produced and acted in a number of films, having been banned from performing in public several years ago.
Zargana was arrested on 25 September 2007 in the city of Yangon. He is reported to have been organizing celebrities from the entertainment industry in Myanmar in support of the demonstrations. He was released in October 2007.
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ICAF APPEAL on behalf of a Film & Television
College in Baghdad
The Independent Film & Television College in Baghdad was set up
by two UK based Iraqi filmmakers who have long teaching and film
production experience in Europe and the Arab World. 35 years of
dictatorship, 3 devastating wars, 13 years of the most comprehensive
sanctions in history, a military occupation, anarchic political
and criminal violence and now an unpredictable and frightening future
have all but silenced the voices of the ordinary Iraqi people. There
is an urgent need for basic film and television training to enable
young people to explore the reality around them and to put their
thoughts and stories on the screen for the rest of the world to
see.The short, intensive courses in camera, sound, lighting, editing, documentary and short fiction filmmaking are free of charge. Funding comes from charities, trade unions and private individuals. The first courses were held in 2004 and the participants made clear the strong need and desire for this training.
"I've only finished grade three secondary school, but please let me come to the course. All my life I've only ever wanted to make films" Rena, 23 year-old widow
"I'm learning to respect the idea of work… I learn more here in one day than I did in two years on the audiovisual course at university. They say it was better before, but the sanctions destroyed education.’ Amr, 27 years old
"We've never been taught like this before. If we don't understand, you go back and show us and, eventually, we get it; the knowledge feels solid, not just for show." Duraid, 25 years old
"I tried so hard to find a way to live and couldn't. Saddam turned us all into starving animals. I've had to work as a mechanic. I can eat, but now I realise I can't live without art - and I want to learn to make films. I have projects." Taleb, 28 years old
Appeal
For many years, no television or film production independent of government control was possible in Iraq. Sanctions meant no film stock, labs, new video cameras, and certainly no digital technology. In the aftermath of the recent war there was also extensive looting of institutions of all kinds and destruction of equipment.The Independent Film & Television College is appealing to colleagues and friends for donations of money, equipment or support of any other kind. If you can help in any way please contact:
maysoon AT oxymoronfilms.demon.co.uk
kasimabid AT yahoo.co.uk
(Please replace 'AT' with @ when emailing)