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| Filmmaker Aung Ko
Latt displays brass rings that Padaung tribeswomen use to
stretch their necks. He plans to film a documentary on Myanmar’s
famous tribe. |
MYANMAR’S most famous director is turning his back on conventional
feature films to focus on Padaung women for a documentary aimed
at foreign audiences.
Aung Ko Latt plans to follow the lives of four La Whay tribeswomen,
one of four tribes in the Padaung area, whose necks adorned with
brass rings facinate foreign tourists.
“I want to show the world our real culture by filming
the women’s daily adventures,” said Aung Ko Latt.
“I have heard that tourists enjoy taking photos of Padaung
women with brass rings around their necks, so this will be for
those curious to learn about their culture.”
And he also wants to prove a point to his neighbours.
“I am also making this is because I want the world to
know that this tradition comes from a Myanmar tribe, not our neighbouring
country Thailand, which claims that the Padaung is a Thai tribe.”
Three languages will be spoken in the documentary — Padaung,
Pay Oh and Myanmar — and it will include English subtitles.
The director recently attended the Santa Fe Digital Cinematography
Workshop, held at the Swissotel Le Concorde Bangkok, in preparation
for the new project.
Last year Aung Ko Latt also attended the workshop, sponsored by
Sony, and underwent intensive training in cinematography and in
the use of the new HD cameras.
This year he purchased an HDW-F900R at the workshop, the latest
model HD camera on the market. He plans to take it up to Demorso,
Pan Pet village in Kayar district to film the documentary.
Aung Ko Latt is a pioneer of film technology. He was the first
Myanmar filmmaker to purchase high-tech HD cameras and editing
equipment in February.
It is still rare to find trained cinematographers and new equipment
in the Myanmar film industry.
Aung Ko Latt blames the rising cost of workshops.
“The workshop fees are around $6000, excluding travel
and accommodation expenses,” he said.
Aung Ko Latt expects to release it in the United States and
in some parts of Europe and Asia by July next year.
