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Myanmar Military Threatens Critics of Propaganda Film Amid Growing Tension
The Myanmar Military Commission has issued a stark warning against anyone criticizing its controversial election propaganda film, “Those Who Drive History Forward,” signaling an escalation in the junta’s efforts to control public discourse ahead of its planned election.
Speaking on state-controlled Myawaddy Television on October 29, Military Commission spokesperson Major General Zaw Min Htun praised artists participating in the production before delivering an ominous message to potential critics.
“First of all, I would like to thank all the artists who participated in the film and those who supported it,” Zaw Min Htun stated. “In addition, we will take effective and strict action against those who threaten or criticize it.”
The regime has already begun implementing these threats. Director Maik Tee, supporting actor Kyaw Win Htut, and comedian Ohn Daing have been arrested and charged under the Law on the Protection of Multiparty Democratic General Elections from Obstruction, Disruption, and Destruction. Their alleged offense: criticizing the film that portrays the ongoing revolution against military rule in a negative light while promoting the junta’s contentious election plans.
The propaganda film features numerous prominent Myanmar celebrities, including Nay Toe, Myint Myat, Nay Win, and May Myint Mo, among others. These actors’ participation has sparked considerable backlash within Myanmar’s resistance movement and among pro-democracy supporters.
The Sanchaung Main Strike Group, one of many resistance organizations operating since the 2021 coup, released a statement condemning the participating artists, accusing them of “aiding and abetting the junta’s war crimes.” According to the group, the film glorifies a military regime that continues to conduct airstrikes against civilian populations, burn villages, and commit widespread human rights abuses while “mocking the suffering of the people.”
This cinematic propaganda effort comes amid a broader campaign by the military to legitimize its rule through a planned election, which many international observers and Myanmar’s democratic opposition view as a sham designed to entrench military control rather than restore genuine democracy.
The military’s crackdown extends beyond those directly criticizing the film. Since seizing power in February 2021 from the democratically elected government led by Aung San Suu Kyi, the junta has arrested and imprisoned thousands of individuals who oppose its rule, support resistance efforts, or simply criticize its election campaign on social media platforms.
The film controversy has mobilized opposition from multiple fronts. Pro-democracy activists both within Myanmar and among the diaspora have called for comprehensive boycotts of not only the film but also the participating artists and any products they endorse. This economic pressure tactic aims to impose consequences on those seen as collaborating with the military regime.
The situation escalated further on October 28 when several urban guerrilla groups operating in the Yangon Region publicly announced intentions to take “punitive action” against artists featured in the propaganda film, raising concerns about potential targeted violence.
Media freedom in Myanmar has deteriorated dramatically since the coup, with independent outlets forced to operate clandestinely or from exile. Mizzima, the source reporting these developments, is itself one of several banned media organizations continuing to report on the situation despite significant risks to its journalists.
The military’s threat against critics of its propaganda film underscores the regime’s growing sensitivity to public opinion as it attempts to consolidate power amid widespread resistance and international condemnation. The use of entertainment figures in propaganda efforts represents a strategic attempt to leverage cultural influence to gain legitimacy, a tactic facing significant resistance from Myanmar’s embattled civil society.
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10 Comments
Arresting filmmakers and comedians for criticizing this election propaganda film is a shameful attempt by the Myanmar military to control the narrative. They can’t handle the truth about their undemocratic rule.
It’s a classic authoritarian tactic – use the law to silence dissent and maintain a false image of legitimacy. The people of Myanmar deserve so much better than this repressive regime.
This is deeply concerning. The Myanmar junta is clearly terrified of the truth getting out about their undemocratic rule. Threatening artists and critics for speaking up is a sign of a government that has lost all legitimacy.
Exactly. Cracking down on free expression is the hallmark of an illegitimate regime clinging to power. The international community must continue to condemn these abuses and demand accountability from the Myanmar military.
This is a blatant abuse of power by the Myanmar junta. Threatening legal action against artists and critics who dare to speak out against their propaganda film is a desperate attempt to maintain control and silence dissent. The people of Myanmar deserve so much better.
Absolutely. The military regime’s crackdown on free expression is a clear sign of their fear and insecurity. They know their hold on power is tenuous, and they’re resorting to increasingly authoritarian tactics to cling to it.
It’s disturbing to see the Myanmar junta resort to such heavy-handed tactics to suppress criticism of their propaganda film. This is a clear attempt to control the narrative and maintain their grip on power through fear and intimidation.
Sadly, this is par for the course for the Myanmar military regime. Their track record of human rights abuses and suppression of democracy is well-documented. The world needs to keep the pressure on and support the people of Myanmar in their struggle for freedom.
This film sounds like blatant propaganda. It’s disturbing to see the junta cracking down on critics and artists who dare to speak out. The people of Myanmar deserve free and fair elections, not more repression from the military regime.
Agreed. Threatening legal action against those who criticize the regime’s propaganda is an alarming abuse of power. The world should be watching this situation closely and applying pressure on the junta to respect human rights.