Burma VJ

Burma VJ, the latest documentary to come out of the politically-conscious Dogwoof distribution house, delivers a passionate insight into the video journalists of Burma, whilst simultaneously acting as a rallying cry for liberty and human rights. The documentary is made up almost entirely from actual footage taken by the journalists during the Burmese monks’ protest of September 2007. This turns out to be the film’s biggest strength as the covertly captured images, pixelated and at times partially obscured, are left to tell the story. And what a story this is, working illegally and under constant threat of arrest and imprisonment, this is real life, edge of your seat viewing. At the end of the film we are told that several of the VJs who captured the footage are currently in jail and expecting life sentences. But where the film ends the campaign to ‘free the VJs’ begins and what is likely to be Burma VJ’s most impressive feat is the way it leaves its viewers impassioned for its cause and ready to act.