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FRANÇAIS

a film

by

Frédérique Lengaigne & Klaus Reisinger

synopsis trailers festivals behind the scenes photos

 

BURMA'S
FORBIDDEN ISLANDS

2004 - documentary - 52 min.

directed by Frédérique Lengaigne & Klaus Reisinger

super 16 mm

For centuries, a remarkable group of seafaring nomads known as the Moken has lived quietly in the idyllic Mergui Archipelago off the southern coast of Burma, sleeping on their boats and existing in harmony with the natural world. Now, though, the peace has been shattered, and the islands and their people are under threat from loggers, fishermen, entrepreneurs and the government.

Synopsis

The Mergui Archipelago of southern Burma is one of the last paradises left on earth. Cradled by pristine reefs, most of the eight hundred islands are untouched and uninhabited except for an outstanding array of rare birds, fish and animals. They are home to a remarkable group of people known as the Moken sea gypsies; seafaring nomads who subsist on whatever the tide reveals to them day after day, entirely in tune with nature. The Moken way of life is based on the tides and the cycle of the moon.

Only a few hundred true free roaming sea gypsies are left in the Archipelago. The Nyaung Wee Moken, a flotilla of 10 boats and 30 people, move from bay to bay, living on their boats for most of the year. They refuse to use fishing nets, and rather hunt in shallow water spearing fish and collecting oysters. Their language is unique and does not exist in any written form.

Long forbidden to outsiders by the Burmese government, this archipelago of untapped riches faces a growing invasion of settlers, loggers, fishermen, tourists and entrepreneurs, all eager to make their fortune. These invaders bring havoc in their wake.

For 6 months, we join clan leader Unying and his extended family of the Nyaung Wee flotilla as they confront illegal loggers and government patrols who invade their islands. We join their hunting expeditions above and below water and share their pain as Abbey's daughter Api becomes ill. Relying on centuries-old customs and traditions, they invoke the spirits' help in healing ceremonies to ensure their survival in such precarious times.

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Credits

producer(s)

Klaus Reisinger
Frédérique Lengaigne
Brian Breger

director

Frédérique Lengaigne & Klaus Reisinger

cinematographer

Klaus Reisinger

sound recordist

Frédérique Lengaigne

editor

Steve Olswang
Loye Miller

author

Mischa Gaus

composer

Michael Whalen

second camera

Frédérique Lengaigne

narrator

Stan Watt

executive producer(s)

David Royle
National Geographic

head of Natural History Unit

Keenan Smart
National Geographic

coordinating producer

Anne H. Daniel

production manager

James Byrne

supervising producer

Kathy Pasternak

field production co-ordinator

U Aung Myo Chit

translator

U Maung Win (Moken)
U Aung Myo Chit (Burmese)

assistant editor

Rains Paden

researchist

Jessica Voelker

visual effects artist

Ricardo Andrade

sound editor

David Huber

sound mixer

David Huber

on-line editor

Scott Doniger

colorist

Scott Doniger

stock footage

Compass Films

facilities

Hotwax Recording
Full Circle Post
Video Plus

still photographer

Frédérique Lengaigne

special thanks

Ministry Hotel&Tourism Myanmar
Woodland Travels
U Win Aung
Boat Crew of Htaik Wai Lin
Helena Holland Breger
Gulliver Travels
Herve Flejo
Thuzar Tun
U Aung Myo Chit

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Trailers

QUICKTIME TRAILER - 2 min

Copyright 2003 NGT&F, INC.
ADSL HIGH SPEED 1mb/s

 

QUICKTIME TRAILER - 2 min

Copyright 2003 NGT&F, INC.
Medium Connection 512 kb/s
 

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- Michael Whalen Music

- Distributed by National Geographic International

- Burma Forbidden Islands wins Cine Golden Eagle 2003

- Burma's Forbidden Islands wins Best Film at Montana Cine International Film Festival

- Gulliver Travels - Myanmar

-ORF - Burma: Pirateninseln und Seenomaden