The Myanmar Motion Picture industry will enter its centenary on 13th October 2020 as it started with a locally created film on the same day in 1920 during colonial era. 

The centenary celebration will be observed with launching Myanmar Motion Picture Museum at the building of Myanmar Motion Picture Organization located on Wingaba Street in Bahan Township of Yangon.

The building is now under renovation that is scheduled to complete in late October this year. 

Nearly 100 years ago in 1920, Myanmar showed its first film, dubbed ‘Metta & Thurar’ after two years of struggles against the lacks of techniques, skills and equipment. 

U Aye Kyu Lay from the Myanmar Motion Picture Organization said, “Ancestors of Myanmar movie industry tried to connect films for the required length for motion picture, gradually from 50 ft to 400 ft in length. Although they learned foreign movies on screens, they encountered problems in all the production stages. 

They tried to create clear pictures with sufficient lights, while there were no modern cosmetics such as makeups and lipsticks. It is very proud to celebrate the centenary of Myanmar Motion Picture. The renovation works are expected to complete in a couple of months.”

The Myanmar Motion Picture industry has passed its silver jubilee in 1945, the golden jubilee in 1970 and the diamond jubilee in 1995. 
The last event was joyously held in Yangon and Mandalay cities with the participation of all the people from this industry.

The MMPO will form an organizing committee in October this year for the centenary celebration.

The silver jubilee, celebrated on 13 October 1945, was attended by Bogyoke Aung San, and the documentary photos of that event will be displayed at the museum. 

In commemoration of centenary, the members of MMPO will grow trees in Chauk and Yenangyoung townships, dig ponds and lakes in dry zones.

The MMPO has expected the renovation works for Myanmar Motion Picture Museum to complete at the end of October this year.— Than Htike

(Translated by Aung Khin)