Losing Ground

His generation is “totally lost,” says a young, anonymous artist and filmmaker in Yangon, describing life since the 2021 military coup in Myanmar. “Our dreams are slowly disappearing, piece by piece.” From the window of his apartment, he films life on the street below: a vendor with a pushcart, a group of monks, a passing cat. The views are deceptively ordinary, although we see shots of a demonstration against the regime as well. The protagonist also protested against the coup and was imprisoned for eight months. The fact that he found prison life easier than his life now, after his release, may sound strange, but it says a lot about the perverse effect of the dictatorship. In prison, he had discussions and recited poetry with fellow prisoners, but now he lives alone and in fear. The window of his apartment offers his only view of the outside world. This is the way the regime likes it. But the artist/filmmaker refuses to accept the dictatorship: “Mental resistance is our weapon.” Losing Ground is his resistance. (International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam)