Beyond Rangoon is a 1995 drama film directed by John Boorman about Laura Bowman (played by Patricia Arquette), an American tourist who vacations in Burma (Myanmar) in 1988, the year in which the 8888 Uprising takes place. The film was mostly filmed in Malaysia, and, though a work of fiction, was inspired by real people and real events.
Bowman joins, albeit initially unintentionally, political rallies with university students protesting for democracy, and travels with the student leader U Aung Ko throughout Burma. There, they see the brutality of the military dictators of the State Law and Order Restoration Council (SLORC), and attempt to escape to Thailand.
The film was an official selection at the 1995 Cannes Film Festival, where it was one of the popular hits of the event.[1]
Critical reaction was mixed. Time, Rolling Stone, and Entertainment Weekly wrote negative reviews, while the critic for The New Yorker called the film a "fearless masterpiece" and Andrew Sarris (Dean of American Film Critics) declared himself "awestruck" by the film. The film was a financial success only in France (where it opened number one), though it was screened in many European countries. Legendary film critic Tullio Kezich (linked forever with Fellini) compared the film to Rossellini's classic, "Paisa," regretting that it was marred by certain directorial touches.
The film may have had an impact beyond movie screens, however. Only weeks into its European run, the Burmese junta freed Nobel Peace Prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi (depicted in the film) after several years in house arrest. The celebrated democracy leader thanked the filmmakers in her first interview with the BBC. As the world knows, Suu Kyi was re-arrested some time later, but BEYOND RANGOON had already helped raise world attention on a previously "invisible" tragedy.
Plot
Laura Bowman's son and husband were brutally murdered during a break-in. She is convinced by her sister to travel to Burma as a means of escape. There she discovers the brutal suppression of democracy under General Ne Win, and receives her first glimpse of Aung San Suu Kyi, the embodiment of hope for a peaceful future in Burma.
When she loses her passport during a rally she gets detained in Burma. While doing last minute sightseeing she becomes involved with a former professor and various pro-democracy students, monks, and others. This puts her on the military government's enemies list.
Much of the film involves evading soldiers while attempting to make their way out of the country, which they eventually do. Laura, who is a doctor, decides to remain in Thailand treating refugees fleeing oppression.
Cast
Soundtrack
Beyond Rangoon is also an original soundtrack music album that features in the film of Beyond Rangoon. The majority of the soundtrack was composed by the German composer Hans Zimmer and the album was released in 1999.
References
External links
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