Event description

SYNOPSIS

“Myanmar, February 2021. Ray, a former gymnast-turned-pageant winner,abandons the cushioned refuge of her fame and fortune to lend her hand to the Spring Revolution, aiming to uproot the country’s cruel military dictatorship at all costs. Based on a true story.”

ABOUT THE PROJECT

‘Ray’(2026) was created by Burmese revolutionary artists in exile, due to their resistance against the military dictatorship and oppression in Myanmar. Despite limited resources and difficult circumstances, they remained committed to their craft and to bring forward stories and realities from this ongoing period of conflict and displacement.
The film does not only tell the story, but also preserves the voices that are often silenced. It serves as a reminder that the Myanmar Spring Revolution is not a distant history but a current ongoing struggle.
Through this project, we hope audiences can connect with the grief, sorrow, courage and resilience of ordinary burmese civilians living through extraordinary times. The film is also a reflection of the wider Burmese diaspora community, including communities across Australia, who have continued to support the movement through advocacy, fundraising and creating spaces for stories like these to be seen and heard.

Their support has helped sustained not only humanitarian efforts, but also the voices of the displaced artists and filmmakers determined to continue creating despite their separation from their homeland. We hope this film encourages conversation, empathy, and continued awareness towards the struggle of the people of Myanmar and their fight for dignity and freedom.

DIRECTOR

The Khit Nay
The Khit Nay began his career as a scriptwriter before moving into directing, developing a storytelling approach grounded in contemporary Burmese realities and character-driven narratives. Following the 2021 military coup, he became part of a generation of Burmese artists working in exile while continuing to create under limited and uncertain conditions. Collaborating with fellow revolutionary artists, his films explore themes of displacement, resilience, and resistance, while preserving voices and experiences emerging from the ongoing Myanmar Spring Revolution.

CAST

Htar Htet Htet as Ray
Htar Htet Htet is a Burmese actress, former national gymnast, and beauty queen who represented Myanmar at the inaugural Miss Grand International 2013. Before the 2021 military coup, she worked in the entertainment industry as an actress and public figure. Following the coup, she became one of the most internationally recognised artists to openly join the resistance movement. Rather than remaining silent or leaving politics behind, she travelled to liberated border areas to undergo military training alongside resistance groups and publicly declared her support for the revolution. Images of her in military fatigues carrying a rifle became symbolic of how deeply the coup transformed the lives of ordinary civilians and artists in Myanmar.

DAUNG as Zwe Latyar
DAUNG is one of Myanmar’s most prominent contemporary actors. Before acting, he was a professional footballer and later became known for more naturalistic performances in Burmese cinema and television. After the coup in February 2021, Daung publicly joined anti-coup demonstrations and used his platform to support the Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM). Because of his outspoken criticism of the military junta, an arrest warrant was issued against him under Section 505(a), a law commonly used to silence dissent. Like many artists of his generation, his involvement in the resistance reflected the broader role that actors, musicians, and filmmakers played in mobilising public support for the Spring Revolution.

Min Maw Kunn as Major Saw Khuu Wah
Min Maw Kunn is an award-winning Burmese actor, singer, and performer from a well-known artistic family. He began acting as a child and later became one of Myanmar’s most respected actors, appearing in more than 150 films. Following the 2021 coup, he became heavily involved in anti-junta protests and openly supported the resistance movement. As military crackdowns intensified, he went into hiding after an arrest warrant was issued against him. He later fled Myanmar and continued advocating for the revolution from exile, including in Australia, where he has participated in fundraising events, protests, and awareness campaigns within the Burmese diaspora community. Min Maw Kun has spoken publicly about sacrificing his career and former life in order to stand against military rule, becoming one of the most recognisable artistic voices connected to the Spring Revolution.

SCREENING SESSIONS

Morning | 10am - 12pm
Midday | 12:30pm - 2:30pm
Afternoon | 3pm - 5pm

Contact:

@Sydney Friends for Myanmar
https://www.facebook.com/SydneyFriendsforMyanmarUnity

@Asian Hub Myanmar Grocery
https://www.facebook.com/asianhubmyanmargrocery

@Golden Mandalay
https://www.facebook.com/sann.international

Naing Aung - 0450498189

Nwe - 0410228680

Physical tickets can be collected at the event.
Please note that seating for the screening is available on a first-come, first-served basis.