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Press Release:

Upcoming screenings of “Burma VJ” in Canada

Canadian Friends of Burma
August 5, 2009

Ottawa - “Burma VJ: reporting from a closed country,” a documentary covering “Saffron Revolution,” will be screened in Toronto and Ottawa starting from Aug.7.

Using footage captured by the Democratic Voice of Burma's team of dedicated reporters, Burma VJ tells the story of Burma's September 2007 monk-led protests which were brutally crushed by the Burmese military regime. 

The documentary also tells the story of the brave underground journalists who risked their lives to cover what was Burma’s largest opposition protest in nearly 20 years.  Watch Trailer http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q2VNqC4xxAU

Toronto event and screenings:
Royal Theater, 608 College (at Clinton St.)
Fri Aug 7 @ 7:00, 9:20
Sat Aug 8 @7:00, 9:20 (at 6pm Buddhist monks from Burmese, Sri Lanka, Tibet and Cambodia temples will gather along with Burmese activists and supporters. Speeches and Q&A included)
Sun Aug 9 @ 4:30, 7:00, 9:20
Mon Aug 10 @7:00, 9:00
Tues Aug 11 @7:00, 9:00
For more info: Zaw Wai Kyaw 416 358 2318, Paul Copeland 416 578 0386

Ottawa event and screenings:
Mayfair Theater, 1074 Bank St, (at Sunnyside)
Fri Aug 7 @ 7:00
Sat Aug 8 @ 9:45
Sun Aug 9 @ 7:00
Tues Aug 11 @ 7:00
http://mayfairtheatre.ca/

Note: Burmese political dissidents in attendance will handle Q&A)
For more info: Toe Kyi/Kevin at 613-366-7958, or Tin Maung Htoo at 613-297-6835

ABOUT THE FILM:
Burma VJ recounts the efforts of a small group of independent video journalists who risked torture and life in jail to ensure the truth behind the country's 2007 political uprising was broadcast to the world.

Consisting largely of material shot by undercover reporters during the protests, Burma VJ follows the efforts of Joshua, the 27-year-old field leader of the Democratic Voice of Burma (DVB), Oslo-based Burmese dissident radio and television station broadcasting daily to Burma through shortwave radio lines and satellites.

CANADIAN CONNECTION:
A few months after Joshua's network in Rangoon was destroyed by the military thugs, the Canadian government gave DVB $200,000 to help them rebuild their network. Canada continued the support for DVB with the same amount of financial support in the following year, as well.

Ottawa Citizen’s editorial columnist Kate Heartfield wrote in her blog - World Next Door, “I bet there's never been a case where $200,000 of Canadian money has had such an important effect.”

Burma VJ has already received a number of film awards internationally and currently being watched in many countries including UK and US. Canadian opening will officially start on this Friday Aug.7.

-Canadian Friends of Burma
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The Canadian Friends of Burma (CFOB) is federally incorporated, national non-governmental organization working for democracy and human rights in Burma since 1991. 145 Spruce St. Suite 206, Ottawa, ON   K1R 6P1, Tel: 613.237.8056, Mobile: 613.297.6835, Fax: 613.563.0017, Email: cfob@cfob.org; Website: http://www.cfob.org
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