A key theme of the initial film involves the area of Kachin in Myanmar (formerly Burma). The Kachin State experienced extreme violence in 2011 after an almost two-decade ceasefire. Filmmakers Jason Motlagh and Steve Sapienza explore this conflict in great detail over less than half an hour. They take us to Kachin militants, refugees, farmers, recruits, and more who are all caught in the crossfire. We discover that rich resources in the northern part of the region are a key part of the fighting, including the Myitsone Dam project mentioned in the next film.
The recurring presence of Tang Hrpe serves as a reminder of the conflict's devastating impact on local communities. Father Thomas Gum Rai Ung, a parish priest representing numerous villages in the area, highlights the stark reality his village faces. Tang Hrpe has seen its population dwindle from 700 to a mere 21 residents. He discusses the impending threat posed by the completion of the dam, which would inundate villages across the region, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis.
According to the filmmakers, much of the violence stems from the fierce competition for control over valuable resources. Farmers become fighters. Innocent civilians try to flee the chaos. Despite initial attempts at peace talks, the cycle of conflict persists. Blood and Gold is more unrelenting in terms of violence, but both films in this collection are powerful testaments to the enduring conflict in the Kachin region.
Click here to view the teaching guide
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Dams, Drugs, and Democracy: The Struggle for Resources in Kachin State
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Dams, Drugs, and Democracy: The Struggle for Resources in Kachin State goes beyond a mere environmental parable to tell a story that combines democracy, military rule, and various other themes to tell a heartrending tale. The issue at hand detailed in the documentary is whether or not to dam the Irrawaddy River in Myanmar. The site is at the intersection of two rivers in the country’s Kachin region. Locals have been forcibly removed from their homes because of this, irrevocably changing their way of life. Residents in the (now-deserted) Tang Hrpe village are vital in understanding the severity of this project.
One key thing to realize is the dam was going to supply electricity not to Myanmar but to China. This escalates unease with the displaced citizens and creates a power struggle between the neighboring countries. The Myitsone Dam project tries to placate the displaced people with housing, yet the housing itself is subpar. The citizens of Tang Hrpe are mere afterthoughts. To make matters worse, heroin is soon introduced to Tang Hrpe as land nearby is leased to mining firms. Not only are these people losing their land but the communities replacing them are being ravaged by greed and addiction.
Villagers interviewed speak of how their lives have been impacted. “They don’t bother with us,” says 65-year-old former Tang Hrpe resident Share Gum Ja, “unless they have something to take from us.” We also see performances from musicians Maran Seng Li and Awng Lum which reveal the situation at hand. The film is a beautiful tapestry and performs the Herculean task of revealing the various layers behind the conflict itself. The fate of the project remains up in the air, as Former President Thein Sein deferred a final decision. As of 2017, there is no word on the project’s fate, although China has been heavily lobbying.
The teacher's guide accompanying both films serves as an invaluable educational resource for teachers looking to incorporate the documentary into their curriculum. These include an interview with the director, additional background information, and a case study from a professor who implemented it in the classroom. Through such materials, educators can explore the deeper connections between the conflict in Kachin and various subjects such as history, geography, politics, and human rights.
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What academic subjects would these films be suitable for?
These films would be suitable for a variety of academic subjects, including:
- Environmental Studies: Both documentaries delve into the environmental impact of large-scale infrastructure projects like dams and their consequences on local ecosystems and communities. They also shed light on broader environmental issues such as resource exploitation and environmental justice.
- Political Science: The documentaries explore themes of democracy, military rule, power struggles between nations, and the impact of political decisions on marginalized communities. They provide insight into the complex political dynamics surrounding resource conflicts in the Kachin region.
- Sociology: The films examine social issues such as forced displacement, poverty, addiction, and the erosion of traditional ways of life among affected communities. They highlight the social inequalities and injustices exacerbated by environmental degradation.
- Geography: The documentaries provide geographical context by exploring the significance of the Kachin region in Myanmar and its role in resource conflicts. They analyze the geographical factors contributing to environmental and social challenges.
- History: The documentaries offer historical context, particularly regarding the conflict in the Kachin region and the broader historical, political, and economic factors shaping Myanmar's landscape.
How do these films contribute to a discussion of environmental or climate justice and environmental literacy?
These documentaries detail how marginalized communities, such as those in Tang Hrpe, bear the brunt of environmental degradation and forced displacement caused by large-scale development projects like the Myitsone Dam. Furthermore, the introduction of heroin and the exploitation of natural resources exacerbate social and environmental injustices in the region. Professors can use these films to explore the interconnectedness between environmental issues and social, political, and economic factors.
About the Global Environmental Justice Documentaries Project:
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The Global Environmental Justice (GEJ) Collection is a curated selection of 48 documentaries with teacher’s guides selected by faculty from Whittier College, Yale, Brandeis, Bates and NYU. Aided by support from the Henry Luce Foundation and the Global Reporting Centre, the project provides an interdisciplinary collection of documentaries that explore the intersections of such topics as human rights, environmental degradation, colonization, global development, and climate change.More than 80 college and university libraries have hosted more than 16,000 screenings to date with a total viewing time of 330,000 minutes. Video Librarian commissioned 20 reviews of films in the award-winning collection which was also also reviewed by Choice..
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Contact: Elena Wayne | sales@docuseek2.com | +1-847-537-0606 • Gary Marcuse | GEJ@globalreportingcentre.org | +1-604-251-0770