2014-2015 / In 1920, Ohn Maung founded Myanmar's first film studio, the Burma Film Co. and made the country's first feature film titled Myitta Ne Thuya (Love & Liquor); a tale of how alcohol and gambling ruined a man's life. It was screened at the Royal Cinema in Yangon and was hugely popular. It was also the spark that ignited Myanmar's film industry, setting it on a path to become one of the most important and industrious, but also most troubled schools of cinema in Asia. This was due to the constant political turmoil that followed. Today, a run down museum in the city is home to an abundance of rusted and rotting film artefacts, having been salvaged from the 32 film studios and compounds that operated during the heyday of Burmese cinema. This is a visual archive of a selection of these artefacts and a small window into the world of this once great film industry.
A Burmese Academy Award trophy dating from the 1950's. The peacock was the emblem of the Konbaung Dynasty; the last dynasty to rule Burma. It later became a symbol of Aung San Suu Kyi's pro-democracy movement, the NLD.
An American Auricon Berndt Back camera with motor drive. It was used during the early days of Burmese cinema.
A box of sound recording film from the Shwe Bamar film company. Shwe Bamar was one of the most prominent film companies that operated during the golden age of Burmese cinema.
A poster for the 1973 film Chit Oo Tain Pagyi (The First Love Is Like A Cloud). Set in Yangon and Taungoo, the film is a tragic drama about love and loss.
A Japanese Hakushin 16mm film projector.
A pistol that was used in the 1974 film Naw Kuu Ma. The film tells the story of a Karen nurse called Naw Kuu Ma, who ventures into the jungle with a Karen National Liberation Army Solider to fight the Burmese Army.
A framed photograph of cinematographer Than Nyunt holding his Burmese Academy Award trophies. Than Nyunt won praise for such films as Myit Tot Ei Maryar (Mystery Of The River) and Nya Min Thar (Nightwalker).
A soundtrack on LP disc for the 1953 A1 film, Yadanarpone (A Pile Of Jewels), which won Best Picture and Best Director at the Academy Awards that year. Set in Yangon and Meiktila, the film is a story of adultery and deceit within a close-knit community.
An American Reevesound photo sound recorder.
A Japanese military jacked used in the 1966 film Soung (Winter), which won the Best Picture at the Academy Awards. A World War II tale about Burmese soldiers going to India to train under the direction of the British, before returning to fight the occupying Japanese forces.
A bust of Burma's most famous actor, Win Oo. Born in Rangoon in 1935, he won numerous academy awards for his performances, including Best Actor for Hmon Shwe Yee in 1970. He starred in 27 films, before passing away in 1988.
U Aung Lwin. Born in Sittwe, Rakhine State in 1935, he is an accomplished and well respected actor and director, having made his film debut in 1957. He was the manager of the archive, spearheading the movement to preserve these important artefacts.