In-focus

Entertainment

Film about Aung San Suu Kyi premieres at TIFF

Dunya News

A film about Burmese activist Aung San Suu Kyi was premiered at Toronto International Film Festival.

Luc Bessons The Lady, inspired by Myanmar pro democracy leader and Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, had its North American premiere on Monday at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF).Fans greeted actress Michelle Yeoh, who portrays Suu Kyi in the film, outside of Roy Thomson Hall holding up pictures and posters of the political leader whose political and personal struggles are recounted in the film.Malaysian actress Michelle Yeoh, was herself targeted by Myanmar authorities for taking on the political role.Yeoh said she did a lot of reading and research on Suu Kyis life, but was still surprised by what she learned while making the film.The film details Suu Kyis separation from her late British husband Michael Aris, while Suu Kyi was detained in 1989.Director Luc Besson spent two years making the film and said he believes the story is an important one to bring to the world.She is fighting for her country, she gives basically her love, her kids, her life, she gives everything to her country. And its such an example and she basically tells us we have the freedom. We can move, we can write papers and sometimes we forgot, how cool it is to be free. So she is here to remind us that we should enjoy it and cherish it, and protect it.Yeoh agreed, and said the film highlights the ongoing human rights issues that exist in all parts of the world. Authorities in Myanmar blacklisted Yeoh for her role in the film, and deported her when she flew to the country in June. Despite that experience, she said that she would still like to return to Myanmar someday.Besson said one of the biggest challenges of making the film was trying to make it as real as possible without having met the leader prior to filming. He did however have a chance to meet her afterwards and describes her as an inspiration.She is the most beautiful woman I ever met.The Lady will hit theaters this fall.
Related Topics