21 February
IN the YMCA building (Young Men’s Christian Association) on Theinbyu Road in Botahtaung Township, Yangon, the cast and crew of Line Walker-2 (Operation Midnight Shadow) filmed additional scenes for the action thriller throughout the entire day yesterday.
Traffic around the film set was partially closed from 6 am to 4 pm and officials from the township General Administration Department, Myanmar Traffic Police, Yangon City Development Committee, Myanmar Police Force, and Ministry of Information worked together to ensure traffic was smooth.
Eager onlookers and observing officials were asked their impressions of the Hong Kong movie being filmed. Ko Aung Thein Tun (Managing Director, Institute of Business & Investment Management)
“Our school isn’t very far from the filming so we could hear the gunshots. I’ve read about it in the news so I came to see for myself. I could see they’ve invested a lot of energy, money and time into this. I’ve heard they took 2 to 3 months choosing the film locations alone and they take 50 sample takes of a single scene. They are very professional.”
“I come from a finance background, so in my view they are bringing a lot of financial benefits to the country. For one thing, they are all from abroad so in a way they’re international travelers bringing in foreign revenue, and I’ve heard they are 200 of them. They’ll also be filming our local scenery and exposing it to the world.”
“I also want to point out that our roads have traffic jams even before this Hong Kong movie came to film here. There are alternative routes provided. I don’t want people to be pointing blame at this fact and failing to see the many positive benefits this film is bringing to Myanmar.”
Ma Nan Khin San Khant (Dawbon Township) “I was just passing by when I noticed the crowd gathering. I’ve liked this series ever since seeing the first Line Walker film. I’d hoped to see the actor since I admire him. I heard the sound of gunfire but I couldn’t see the filming in progress clearly. I’llbe visiting the set again in the next days.”
Dr. Thar Nyan (General Secretary of YMCA) “An associate of mine contacted me about a Hong Kong company coming to film in Yangon. They discussed about using our YMCA Hall for the film and after several rounds ofdiscussions the Ministry of Information, Ministry of Religious Affairs and Culture and the State assisted us with the filming.”
“We carefully discussed the elements involved in the film, such as the car chases, helicopters, using real guns with blank cartridges, and fire scenes. We’ve arranged film sets in the basement of our building and set up stalls on the upper floor. They’re also filming a scene where they jump from building to building.”
“They were initially going to shoot the film in a neighboring country and we had to carefully explain to them that it is possible to film in Myanmar and the authorities will give permission too.”
Pan Ei San (Operation Assistant, KTZ Ruby Hill Securities Company Limited)
“I knew they were starting action scenes when I heard gunshots. They were rappelling down the side of buildings. Watching a scene in a movie takes a few seconds but they take a long time filming one just to get it right. The world will see Myanmar actors in the film and our country’s cinema landscape will expand as well. I’m going to see the film when it comes out because I admire the main actor.”
Yangon Synthesis Productions Company, who are taking shared responsibility for the film on Myanmar’s side, has issued an apology to the public for the temporary traffic inconveniences caused during the filming process and has kindly requested their continued patience. —Win Mi Mi (Translated by Zaw Htet Oo)
