Forgetting grief in a troubled land

BEYOND RANGOON directed by John Boorman (Distributed by Alliance Entertainment (M) Sdn Bhd) Starring Patricia Arquette

THIS is that rare sort of film that grips you as you are drawn in, leaving you emotionally drained.

You are shocked, saddened, outraged — and relieved — by the time the movie ends.

John Boorman knows his stuff, and with a little help from a brilliant performance by Patricia Arquette, he delivers.

Set in Myanmar in 1988, it follows the story of grieving American tourist Dr Laura Bowman (Arquette), who is on holiday to help her come to terms with the recent murder of her husband and son. Alas, she loses her passport and finds herself stranded in Rangoon (Yangon) just as the army begins its infamous crackdown on pro-democracy demonstrators.

Soon after witnessing murders and brutality by the army against unarmed civilians, she flees from the country with a professor, monk and some dissident students, the army in hot pursuit.

As she fights for her survival and that of her companions, she learns to get over her loss and grief.

Beautifully filmed, even if a trifle heavy-handed in a couple of places, this movie has a spiritual quality about it.

It is said to be based on true incidents and in the special features section, Boorman and others make no bones about their support for Aung San Suu Kyi and her country's democracy movement.

So yes, this is a political film, as well as a powerful narrative. And if the background looks familiar, this is because much of the story was filmed in Malaysia. – James Hipkiss via e-media.com