September 25, 2019

The ‘Aung San’ film based on the struggles of Myanmar national leader Bogyoke Aung San for independence is set to be on camera beginning 30 September.

State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi observed the inauguration ceremony of this film, held at Novotel Hotel in Yangon yesterday morning.
The ceremony was also attended by former President U Htin Kyaw, Union Minister for Information Dr Pe Myint, Union Minister for Union Government Office U Min Thu, Union Minister for Religious Affairs and Culture Thura U Aung Ko, Chairman of Union Peace Commission Dr Tin Myo Win, Yangon Region’s Chief Minister U Phyo Min Thein, Yangon Region’s Hluttaw Speaker U Tin Maung Tun, Deputy Minister for Religious Affairs and Culture U Kyi Min, Yangon Mayor U Maung Maung Soe, the departmental heads and officers, patrons, chairman and CEC members of Myanmar Motion Picture Organization, members of the film production committee, artists, technicians, donors and the invited guests.

Union Minister Thura U Aung Ko, in his capacity as the chairman of ‘Aung San’ Film Production Committee, briefed on preparations for the overall production of the film.

The production working committee for Aung San film was formed with 17 members by the order of Union Government Office on 24 November 2017. The working committee formed the seven sub-committees on 8 December 2017 to manage the production.

Thura U Aung Ko said that his committee has accepted K1.234398873 billion and US$4,813 — K846. 895873 million and $4,813 — from the previous Aung San Movie Team and K387.503000 million from Bogyoke Aung San Film Production Committee. He added the funds were being handled by the working inspection sub-committee in accordance with the financial rules.
The office of Bogyoke Aung San Film Production Committee was established at No. 131, KabaAye Road in Bahan Township, Yangon, on 28 January 2018 to prepare for the production.

Two licenses were applied for production of ‘Aung San Film’ on 13 December last year. The screen serials comprising 117 parts were completed on 7 June 2019. The dialogues of characters have been written and reviewed by the subcommittee for historical record. This subcommittee also approved the facts presented by the team of property designer which also collected items for the movie.

Meanwhile, the costume designer team has already created the sample military dresses, and double-checked with those in the Defence Services Museum.

The Woseley car with number plate RC-2874 used by Bogyoke Aung San was repaired at Htoo Automobile Service to be used in the movie. It has been returned to its department on 20 May 2019.

Actor Ko Kyaw Kyaw Myo got horse-riding training from 7 am to 9 am at the Myanmar Equestrian Federation training ground from May 2018 to September.

e also received English speaking training from Saya U Ye Htet (Thanlyin Mg Wint Wah) at National Theater (Yangon) from 10:30 am to 3 pm every weekend. He also learned Japanese speaking from Dr Daw Su Zar Zar Htay Yi, the music lecturer who received her doctorate degree in music from Japan.
The Union Minister said the production committee was preparing for other needs such as hospital setting, a steam locomotive, a tram, Hai Lee Ship, and the residence of late Colonel Suzuki in Japan, as well as generators for shooting.
Director U Lu Min and U Soe Kyaw San visited Japan to study this residence and country scenes for the shooting. Director Academy Alinkar Kyaw Swa U Soe Moe and U Lu Min have selected the artists for the roles of Japanese characters.
Thura U Aung Ko said that it was ready to start the shooting and expected to screen the film in 2020. He also expressed thanks for the assistance of all persons concerned, including the Ministry of Information, the Myawady Television, private broadcast media, and press.

Sithu Dr Bogalay Tint Aung, the patron of MMPO, expressed his appreciation for creating the film. He also said the movie will be a fitting tribute to the national heroes, and stressed that it needed to be correct in each process.

The film’s Director U Lu Min also said that research for this film had given him a wider knowledge on Bogyoke Aung San. He also requested to see this film as a movie rather than historical record, action movie or biopic. It would present about independence struggles in Myanmar, the inception of Tatmadaw, Aung San as a youth and university student, his works as a University student leader, a politician, a military chief, a national leader, a state leader and an architect of the country’s independence.

He also added the film was believed to give the message about how the young Aung San endeavoured for the independence of this country. He also added the members of various production committees tried hard to produce this film by following all the four levels of endeavor before they reached the last and fourth level with determined efforts.

Director Lu Min also expressed thanks to all the colleagues, supporters and beneficiaries of this film which was expected to be completed in conjunction with the centenary of the Myanmar Motion Picture next year.
Then, the officials from Suzuki Motor Corporation donated K 500 million to the film production committee.

The State Counsellor posed for documentary photos, together with former President U Htin Kyaw, the Union Ministers, the government officials, artistes, technicians, and the MMPO members.

The State Counsellor and party looked around the display of costumes for characters in the film before greeting with artistes and family members of the Thirty Comrades who struggled for independence together with Bogyoke Aung San.
During the press conference, Movie Director U Lu Min, artistes and technicians replied to the media questions.

The film will be created by the production team, including story/script writing committee, Director Lu Min, Casting Director Alinka Kyawswa Artist Soe Moe, Production Designer Academy U Tun Aung Zaw, Art Director Academy Soe Kyaw San, together with the artistes Kyaw Kyaw Myo for the character of Bogyoke Aung San, Nant Zarchi Linn for Daw Khin Kyi, Academy Yan Aung, Academy Ye Aung, Academy Min Oo, Academy Khant Si Thu, Nai Nai, Nyo Min Lwin, Phay Zin, Moe Hay Ko and other supporting artists.—MNA (Translated by Aung Khin)