0:00 For more than half a century, the country has lived in isolation, cut off from the outside world by a succession of some of the toughest dictatorships on the planet.
05:31 Journey to the Capital
20:27 Help arrives
24:58 History of Myanmar
39:44 In the footsteps of a monk
The Burmese regard their country as a beautiful sleeping girl. Today she opens her eyes a little but wakes him up hard. The country lacks everything, the infrastructure has been neglected for many years. But the Burmese keep smiling. In the North West, in the most mountainous region of the country, getting around is an adventure. The mountains reach 3000 meters in altitude and some roads climb to more than 2000 meters. With his truck, twice his age, Khampi struggles. Despite everything, man faces the roads or rather the tracks, with courage and coolness. Khampi never gets angry, he keeps a smile at all times even when he misses to tip over. The word “fear” seems to have disappeared from his vocabulary. The state of the roads is a serious handicap for the populations, but it has enabled the country to retain its beauty, its authenticity and its traditions. Young Sokna carries on an ancient ritual, the Kiss of Death. Legend has it that by kissing the head of a king cobra three times, the women of the village will quickly become pregnant. In Naypeedaw, the megalomaniacal capital erected by the military junta, highways hold a sad record. One of the least frequented on the planet. The country also holds another record, with the most terrifying train in Asia. It crosses a viaduct more than 100 meters high. Without any security. Barely a few centimeters separate the travelers from the void. Travel to the heart of Burma far from the tourist trails.
Réalisateur 1 Daniel Lainé, Réalisateur 2 Charles Comiti