‘My Buddha is Punk‘ (doc, 2015, approx 1hour) – follows Kyaw Kyaw, a 25-year-old Burmese Punk, as he obsessively tries to develop the Punk scene in Myanmar. Although the former military dictatorship has experienced a number of democratic reforms, Kyaw Kyaw remains skeptical. In his view, his country has not changed yet. Together with his Punk band ‘The Rebel Riot‘, Kyaw Kyaw raises awareness for the continuing violation of human rights. Through his music and demonstrations, he criticizes the on-going civil war and the prosecution of ethnic minorities. He travels through the country to promote his own philosophy among the young generation: A symbiosis of Buddhism and Punk that rejects any religious rules and political doctrine. But while fighting for freedom and preaching for the importance of individual autonomy, he faces the difficulty to remain true to one’s own ideals.
This superb documentary gives an insight into the situation in Myanmar (ex-Burma), a country currently in the news due to their ethnic cleansing of over 500,000 Rohingya people, a country that for over 60 years was run as a military dictatorship closed off from the outside world. To this day large parts of Myanmar remain sealed military zones as the all-powerful military continue to repress numerous ethnic minority groups such as the Shan, Karen, Wa, Mon, Chin, Kayan, and of course the Rohingya (who are not even recognised as an ethnic group by the government). Amidst the ethnic & religious hatespeech directed by the dominant Buddhist nationalists at ethnic minorities, very few dare speak out for tolerance, peace & humanity – but The Rebel Riot dare to try. See a 3 minute trailer of the film here!
Following the 4.30pm screening at Kebele social centre, there will be a Q&A with Kyaw and other members of the band. Entry free/donations welcomed.
Kebele’s Sunday Social cafe takes place from around 6/6.30pm.
From 7pm The Rebel Riot will be playing a gig at The Red Lion, 206 Whitehall Rd, Bristol BS5, with The Migraines & Skinner (early start/early finish!). All events are included in this FB event – https://www.facebook.com/events/776313532555451
These Bristol events are part of a UK tour featuring The Rebel Riot, and organised by Punk Ethics – see full tour details.