A Thousand Fires dives into the gritty realities of husband and wife Thein Shwe and Htwe Tin, who toil tirelessly in one of Myanmar's unregulated oil fields in the Magway region. Directed by Palestinian-British filmmaker Saeed Taji Farouky, the audience is immersed in the daily struggles and aspirations of this family striving to break free from the shackles of poverty.
Amidst the clatter of sputtering machines used in oil drilling, Thein and Htwe navigate their arduous existence, producing a mere barrel of oil every few days with their bare hands. Yet, their dreams transcend the struggle as they pin their hopes on their youngest son, Zin Ko Aung, yearning for him to escape the relentless cycle of manual labor.
The film paints a poignant portrait of intergenerational strife and resilience, capturing fleeting moments of hope and perseverance amidst the backdrop of Myanmar's oldest petroleum industry. With stunning cinematography that juxtaposes the stark beauty of the landscape with the harsh realities of labor, A Thousand Fires illuminates the indomitable spirit of a family determined to carve out a better future against all odds.
A Thousand Fires is an interesting case study of the people working Myanmar’s unregulated oil fields. For those studying international trade and labor regulations, this documentary is a must-see. Utilizing an unobtrusive style and showcasing pure documentation, A Thousand Fires is a stunning documentary from start to finish.
Some artistic interludes are used in an attempt to pace the documentary, but–especially as the film goes on–these moments feel more and more disruptive as viewers find themselves thoroughly invested in the documentary’s ‘story’ and the subjects. This is the film’s only failing, making A Thousand Fires an excellent documentary for any number of library documentary collections. Highly Recommended.
Where does this film belong on public library shelves?
- Oil and Chemical Production: This documentary provides an in-depth look into the unregulated oil fields of Myanmar, making it suitable for collections focused on oil and chemical production.
- Southeast Asian Cultures: Given its setting in Myanmar and exploration of the lives of individuals working in its oil fields, A Thousand Fires would be a valuable addition to collections centered around Southeast Asian cultures.
- Modern Economics: The film offers insights into the economic struggles and aspirations of a family involved in manual labor within the context of modern economic systems, making it relevant to collections on modern economics.
- Worker's Rights: As the documentary delves into the daily struggles and aspirations of individuals working in an unregulated industry, it would be pertinent to collections focusing on worker's rights.
- Ethnography: A Thousand Fires offers a glimpse into the lives, culture, and aspirations of a family working in Myanmar's unregulated oil fields, making it suitable for collections on ethnography.
- Ecology: With its exploration of the environmental impact of unregulated oil drilling and its juxtaposition of landscape beauty with labor realities, the documentary would be suitable for collections focusing on ecology.
What kind of film series could use this documentary?
- Environmental Documentaries: A Thousand Fires could be part of a film series showcasing environmental documentaries. Its portrayal of the environmental impact of unregulated oil drilling and its focus on a family striving to break free from poverty amidst environmental challenges would resonate with audiences interested in environmental issues.