Channel 4 Orders Myanmar Civil War Doc

Channel 4 has commissioned the one-hour documentary Myanmar: The Forgotten Revolution from Evan Williams Productions.

Providing an account of a nation’s descent into civil war as Myanmar’s army tries to crush a civilian uprising against military rule, the doc investigates three major mass killings. It features exclusive video footage and eye-witness accounts, with the evidence revealing how the army has committed potential war crimes.

Myanmar: The Forgotten Revolution shows how soldiers have systematically targeted peaceful protesters and those trying to help the wounded, and set victims on fire while they appeared to still be alive. The doc has been filmed for more than a year by a group of young Burmese activists. It follows the challenges faced by peaceful protesters and features emotional testimonies in which they reveal why they must risk their lives to fight for the restoration of democracy.

Evan Williams, executive producer, said: “By risking their lives to film this documentary, these brave young activists have provided a compelling case that Myanmar’s senior military leadership appears to be guilty of crimes against humanity in a war which is largely overlooked by the international community. Above all, this is a film about the determined spirit of a new generation who refuse to allow their futures to be dominated, and as they see it, their opportunities stolen, by a military dictatorship.”

Nevine Mabro, commissioning editor for Channel 4, said: “This is a really important piece of journalism on a revolution that the world has forgotten. Through forensic investigation, unseen videos and eyewitness accounts, the film reveals the brutal actions of the Myanmar army and shows how the country is slipping into civil war.”