Response to FB Q.

I'm writing this post in response to a question that was raised yesterday on our facebook page: how is the Carrboro Burmese community being engaged in this series?

I'd like to address this question in the blog forum because it gives me a chance to highlight the contributions of our Burmese friends and neighbors, which I have yet to do on this site.

As those of you that have attended our events know, Imagining Burma could not have succeeded without the support of the Chapel Hill-Carrboro Burmese community. First, our Burmese neighbors have contributed to the events in the series by preparing the delicious food we served on 7/17 and 7/31. Second, the Burmese community has made it possible for Joseph and I to screen Burmese films. Due to the tight restrictions on Burmese film exports, our only option for accessing Burmese films within the time frame of the festival was to borrow from our Burmese friends. The Burmese community has also helped by offering input on the best ways to donate to cyclone relief efforts. Most importantly, the Burmese community has contributed to the film series with its lively presence at the events. One of our goals in putting on the film series was to draw greater attention to the wonderfully vibrant Burmese community in the Triangle. Thanks to the support of our Burmese friends, the film series has succeeded in bringing together diverse groups of people who care about Burma.

Feel free to add your own thoughts by clicking the comments link below.

Announcement

It was great to see so many friendly faces at yesterday's screenings! The discussion of the film _Our Burmese Days_ was lively and engaging. Send me an e-mail for a synopsis of the debate.

Due to time constraints, we were unable to show _Burma: In the Garden of the Crying Buddha_. This film will be moved to the 8/14 date at The Skylight Exchange/Nightlight venue at 405 1/2 W. Rosemary Street in Chapel Hill. We are still in the process of selecting the other films for that date. The documentary will be shown first as a stand-alone piece and the other films will be part of a mixed media audio-visual collage piece conceived by WXYC's finest artists.

For those of you who are interested in documentaries, here's a description of _Burma: In the Garden..._ (from Sloane Art Library catalog):

This program presents an intriguing glimpse of Burmese life, ranging from washing the sacred Buddha at the Maha Muni Pagoda and the initiation of young Buddhist novices amid the ruins of Bagan to farming the amazing floating gardens of Lake Inle. Issues including Burma's 40-year civil war, the vital role of the railway and the cinema, and rampant smuggling are addressed as well.