Artists testing freedoms through film festival

YANGON, Myanmar - The Associated Press

AFP photo

Artists in Myanmar are testing new freedoms through films shown at a festival that for the first time in the country’s recent history were not censored. “The Art of Freedom Film Festival” began screening films on Dec. 31 that were not approved by the strict Film Censorship Board.

Myanmar’s new nominally civilian government has relaxed some draconian security measures, although films are still supposed to pass the censorship board.

The event was organized by comedian Zarganar, film director Min Htin Ko Ko Gyi and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Aung San Suu Kyi. Zarganar, who uses one name, was recently released from three years in prison. He described the festival as freedom of expression through film.