search

Burma VJ

Introduction by Inge Sargent

Burma VJ

BURMA VJ is a documentary that patches together smuggled footage to tell the story of the 2007 protests in Burma by thousands of monks. Inge Sargent, founder or Burma Lifeline, will be onhand to introduce both screenings and to do a brief Q&A after the first screening only. The IFS screens BURMA VJ in part to mark the 10th year of Burma Lifeline, which has raised over $700,000 so far to help refugees.

Review

As we've learned from Iran, if there's one thing a dictator fears more than UN resolutions or sanctions, it's the internet.

There's nothing like online footage of soldiers shooting civilians to hammer home a despot's cruelty - and judging by this electrifying documentary, the junta running Burma is among the world's worst.

Using video shot and then posted online by the outlawed Democratic Voice Of Burma group, this film follows the pro-democracy protests that gripped the Asian country in 2007.

With the economy in deep trouble, the time seemed right for freedom to flower.

But the marchers - led by thousands of monks - hadn't reckoned on the junta's determination to hold on to power at any cost.

Despite being shot almost entirely on jittery handicams, Burma VJ (Video Journal) is as gripping as any Hollywood thriller - and as heartbreaking as any weepie as we watch the celebratory mood that briefly blossomed in Rangoon give way to appalling violence.

NOTE: This gripping documentary screened to a packed theater at the Boulder International Film Festival and is being brought back to mark the 10th year of the Burma Lifeline, which was founded by Inge and Tad Sargent. Inge Sargent will introduce both screenings and be around for a short Q&A after the 7pm show.

— D. Edwards, The Mirror

Burma VJ

Sat October 24, 2009, 7:00 & 9:15, Muenzinger Auditorium

Denmark, 2008, Burmese, Color, 84 min, Not Rated, Widescreen, 1.85:1, DV-CAM

recommend

Tickets

10 films for $60 with punch card
$9 general admission. $7 w/UCB student ID, $7 for senior citizens
$1 discount to anyone with a bike helmet
Free on your birthday! CU Cinema Studies students get in free.

Parking

Pay lot 360 (now only $1/hour!), across from the buffalo statue and next to the Duane Physics tower, is closest to Muenzinger. Free parking can be found after 5pm at the meters along Colorado Ave east of Folsom stadium and along University Ave west of Macky.

RTD Bus

Park elsewhere and catch the HOP to campus

International Film Series

(Originally called The University Film Commission)
Established 1941 by James Sandoe.

First Person Cinema

(Originally called The Experimental Cinema Group)
Established 1955 by Carla Selby, Gladney Oakley, Bruce Conner and Stan Brakhage.

C.U. Film Program

(AKA The Rocky Mountain Film Center)
First offered degrees in filmmaking and critical studies in 1989 under the guidance of Virgil Grillo.

Celebrating Stan

Created by Suranjan Ganguly in 2003.

C.U. Department of Cinema Studies & Moving Image Arts

Established 2017 by Chair Ernesto Acevedo-Muñoz.

Thank you, sponsors!
Boulder International Film Festival
Department of Cinema Studies & Moving Image Arts

Looking for a gift for a friend?
Buy a Frequent Patron Punch Card for $60 at any IFS show. With the punch card you can see ten films (a value of $90).

We Want Your Feedback

Cox & Kjølseth
: Filmmaker Alex Cox & Pablo Kjølseth discuss film topics from their own unique perspectives.

Z-briefs
: Pablo and Ana share Zoom-based briefs on what's currently playing at IFS

Search IFS schedules

Index of visiting artists

Mon Apr 1, 2024

Hot Shots! Part Deux

At Muenzinger Auditorium

Sat Apr 20, 2024

Super Mario Bros.

At Muenzinger Auditorium

more on 35mm...