TITLE: A  FILM BY DANIEL SENG AND SAI NA PA WITH STUDIO FILMS

10:00:01:07

1. Reuters

Title: ‘In Myanmar’s Chin State, a grassroots rebellion grows’

Clip name: RTV-Myanmar-Chin-State-Rebellion

(TC 10:00:03:07 - 10:00:06:07) man blurred for safety reasons

COMM 1

IT’S BEING CALLED THE HIDDEN WAR – A CONFLICT OVERSHADOWED BY RUSSIA’S INVASION OF UKRAINE, AND THUS NOW OFTEN FORGOTTEN BY THE WORLD OUTSIDE ASIA.

10:00:15:10

BUT TO THE PEOPLE FIGHTING FOR SURVIVAL IN MYANMAR, IT’S EVERY BIT AS SIGNIFICANT AS EVENTS ELSEWHERE.

AFTER A MILITARY COUP IN EARLY 2021 THOUSANDS OF PRO-DEMOCRACY ACTIVISTS BEGAN TAKING UP ARMS AGAINST THE JUNTA.

10:00:35:23

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WE’VE GAINED ACCESS TO SOME OF THEM – PEOPLE WHO’VE BEEN TRADING THEIR HOMES AND SETTLED LIVES FOR UNDERGROUND CELLS, REMOTE JUNGLE CAMPS AND THE UNCERTAIN HAZARDS OF THE FRONT LINE.

10:00:55:19

Actuality packing

Naw Naw

Hello.  I’m about to set off on a journey, so I’m going to show you what I’m taking with me.

10:01:05:00

COMM 2

28 YEAR OLD NAW NAW USED TO BE A TOUR GUIDE. NOW HE’S ABOUT TO BECOME A RESISTANCE FIGHTER.

10:01:12:04

NAW NAW

This is a mosquito net because there are a lot of mosquitos. 

This is a blanket.  

This is an accessory for the Go Pro

So I can shoot in the rain and it’s waterproof.

10:01:30:01

COMM 3

HE’S LEAVING HIS HOME IN NORTHERN MYANMAR AND ON HIS WAY TO A REMOTE FOREST OUTPOST.

HE'S AGREED TO COVERTLY FILM HIS JOURNEY FOR US.

10:01:44:04

IN CAR

(TC 10:01:44:11 - 10:01:52:11) passengers in car blurred for safety reasons

NAW NAW VO

Setting out, I’m feeling quite anxious about my journey and scared

because there are five or six military check points on the way. 

But I’ll try and get round them however I can.  

But I’m going to try and bypass them using the back roads.

10:02:12:18

ARMY TRUCKS PASS

COMM 4

MYANMAR IS IN THE GRIP OF A MILITARY DICTATORSHIP.  IF CAUGHT WITH A CAMERA NAW NAW AND THE PEOPLE HE’S TRAVELLING WITH FACE IMPRISONMENT AND ALMOST CERTAIN TORTURE.

10:02:32:20

NAW NAW

They do thorough searches at these checkpoints, but hopefully I’ll get through it ok.

10:02:46:21

Naw Naw Journey

(TC 10:02:46:07 - 10:02:51:21) passengers in boat blurred for safety reasons

COMM 5

HE’S HEADING THREE DAYS NORTH TO JOIN A VOLUNTEER MILITIA - THE SO CALLED PEOPLES’ DEFENCE FORCE, OR PDF,  HIGH IN THE KACHIN HILLS.

10:03:02:14

Naw Naw

Journey

(TC 10:02:59:18 - 10:03:11:24) people in background blurred for safety reasons

NAW NAW

It’s been raining nonstop.

I have no idea how difficult the rest of my journey is going to be. 

10:03:19:15

COMM 6

THE WAR AGAINST THE JUNTA IS HIDDEN FROM PUBLIC SCRUTINY.  JOURNALISTS ARE PREVENTED FROM ACCESSING CONFLICT AREAS. BUT THE CAMERA WE’VE SMUGGLED TO NAW NAW – AND FOOTAGE THAT OTHERS HAVE GATHERED FOR US - CAN HELP DOCUMENT A FIGHT THAT MANY HERE BELIEVE IS SHAPING MYANMAR’S POLITICAL FUTURE.

10:03:48:20

Naw Naw

Journey

NAW NAW

We’ve been walking for more than an hour now.

The rain stopped a little bit. But we still have to walk for more than three hours.

10:04:11:23

COMM 7

FOR OVER A YEAR THE MYANMAR ARMY HAS BEEN TARGETTING CIVILIANS IN OPPOSITION AREAS WITH AERIAL BOMBARDMENTS, SHELLING AND GROUND ASSAULTS

NOW, AN UNPRECEDENTED COALITION OF ETHNIC MINORITY INSURGENTS AND PRO DEMOCRACY GROUPS ARE TAKING ON THE MILITARY WITH A UNITED FRONT.

10:04:44:01

ARRIVAL AT CAMP

CAMP GVS

PDF CADRES

COMM 8

NAW NAW HAS MADE IT TO THE PDF CAMP …

WHICH IS IN AN AREA CONTROLLED BY THE ETHNIC KACHIN INDEPENDENCE ARMY. 

DESPITE HAVING A CHRONIC SHORTAGE OF WEAPONS AND FUNDING, PDF GROUPS LIKE THIS ONE HAVE SUCCEEDED IN PUTTING THE MYANMAR MILITARY ON THE BACK FOOT

 10:05:09:22

ASTON NAW NAW

NAW NAW

There are many different kinds of PDF in Myanmar.

But in Kachin State, the PDF are under the command of the Kachin Independence Army.

We are being supported by them and they command our military operations in Kachin State.

10:05:34:10

HOSPITAL SCENE

COMM 9

AS WELL AS CONFRONTING A THREE HUNDRED THOUSAND STRONG PROFESSIONAL ARMY, AND A FURTHER HUNDRED THOUSAND GOVERNMENT BACKED MILITIAS, THE PDF ALSO HAVE TO CONTEND WITH LIFE IN THE JUNGLE – WITH ITS ENDEMIC MALARIA.

AND FOR NAW NAW THE DANGERS EXTEND TO THOSE HE’S LEFT BEHIND

10:05:58:18

Naw Naw

Now my family are being threatened by the military junta

and I’m really worried about their safety.

The army confiscated my family’s land

and they keep taking them in to the police station for questioning. 

I am really worried about them.

10:06:28:04

COMM 10

NAW NAW’S FIRST MISSION IN THE PDF WAS AN ASSAULT ON A POLICE OUTPOST

WHICH HE FILMED ON HIS PHONE

10:06:38:00

Naw Naw

The PDF and KIA combined forces with over 30 soldiers to attack that police station.

10:06:57:00

Naw Naw

By the time we arrived at that post,

they had already left and run away.

We chased them, fired from behind and took over the post.

Then we burned it down.

We also obtained some important documents left by the regime soldiers.

10:07:22:18

EXHAUSTED VOLUNTEERS GUARD AGAINST SURPRISE ATTACKS

10:07:27:13

NAW NAW

I think the revolution will last one or two years.

Within three years I hope it will succeed.

The Civil Disobedience Movement and the public have to work together.

10:07:59:15

CIVILLIAN SHOTS

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COMM 11

LIKE MOST PDF VOLUNTEERS, NAW NAW WAS AN ORDINARY CIVILLIAN BEFORE THE MILITARY TOOK POWER.

HE LIVED IN PUTAO A PICTURE POSTCARD TOWN ONCE A FAVOURITE OF FOREIGN TOURISTS

MEMORIES THAT NOW COME TO MIND ON A RARE MOMENT OUT OF UNIFORM

10:08:19:06

NAW NAW

Before the coup, I was involved in youth politics

10:08:34:13

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COMM 12

WHEN THE MYANMAR ARMY ABANDONED ITS EXPERIMENT WITH A PARTIAL DEMOCRACY AND RE-TOOK POWER IN A COUP.

NAW NAW WAS ONE OF THOUSANDS OF YOUNG PEOPLE WHO TOOK TO THE STREETS TO PROTEST

10:08:52:11

Naw Naw

NAW NAW

After the military coup, together with five colleagues,

I tried to organize some people to stage a protest against the military coup.

10:09:19:10

COMM 13

BUT THE ARMY CRACKDOWN WAS BRUTAL AND BLOODY

NAW NAW WAS ARRESTED AT A PEACEFUL PROTEST AND PUT IN PRISON FOR OVER A MONTH.  WHEN HE GOT OUT HE KNEW HE WANTED TO TAKE UP ARMS AGAINST THE REGIME.

10:09:40:05

NAW NAW

I realised something might happen to me soon.

They might try to arrest me again.

So the next morning,

I secretly went to Myitkyina in disguise by car.

10:10:14:14

DRONE DAWN SHOT

People and Power ‘An Uneasy Alliance’

2021

NAW NAW

When I heard about the formation of the Peoples Defence Force,

I wanted to set up a PDF in Putao

So I went to Laiza and met with KIA officers.

10:10:34:17

People and Power ‘An Uneasy Alliance’

2021

COMM 14

NAW NAW MADE HIS WAY TO A TRAINING CAMP SET UP BY ETHNIC KACHIN INSURGENTS WHERE HE FOUND OTHER YOUNG MEN AND WOMEN WHO HAD COME TO THE JUNGLE FROM ALL OVER MYANMAR TO LEARN HOW TO FIGHT.

10:10:50:07

Lt GAM SENG

 People and Power ‘An Uneasy Alliance’

2021

‘GAM SENG’

Most of them have no military experience.

My impression is they need to work on their fitness,

but I think they’re very motivated. 

10:11:10:04

People and Power ‘An Uneasy Alliance’

2021

COMM 15

THE RECRUITS HAD GROWN UP UNDER CIVILLIAN RULE.  MILITARY ROUTINES CAME AS A SHOCK

10:11:24:17

‘AYE AYE MYINT’

People and Power ‘An Uneasy Alliance’

2021

‘AYE AYE MYINT’

I did not know about guns, I had never held guns before.

I was very excited about firing guns at first because I saw a lot of trainees firing them.

On the other hand, I was very worried about whether I could stand the recoil or not.

I was not very pleased with my results

and I’d like to try again because I only hit my target once.

10:12:08:09

People and Power ‘An Uneasy Alliance’

2021

COMM 16

WITH JUST THREE WEEKS’ TRAINING NO OVERALL LEADERSHIP AND VERY FEW WEAPONS,  THESE INEXPERIENCED RECRUITS FACED A DANGEROUS AND UNCERTAIN FUTURE

10:12:30:23

GVs HILLS

People and Power ‘An Uneasy Alliance’

2021

COMM 17

BUT 18 MONTHS AFTER THE COUP, AGAINST ALL THE ODDS,

10:12:37:16

GRAPHICS MAP

MYANMAR MAP

COMM 18

ACROSS MYANMAR …

AN ESTIMATED 245 PDF GROUPS ARE NOW ARMED AND ACTIVE

ABOUT A THIRD OF THESE GROUPS ARE ALLIED WITH ETHNIC ARMED ORGANISATIONS WHO’VE BEEN FIGHTING THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT FOR DECADES.

10:12:59:00

CIVILLIANS AT CHECK POINT

COMM 19

ALONG WITH THE ETHNIC INSURGENTS, THEY NOW CLAIM TO CONTROL ALMOST HALF THE COUNTRY.

10:13:08:09

HOPIN NAMJUM PDF POST

COMM 20

BEFORE NAW NAW ARRIVED AT THE PDF CAMP, A LOCAL FILMMAKER SENT US THESE IMAGES FROM ANOTHER PDF VOLUNTEER OUTPOST.

LT KARENG NAW HTOI IS THE ETHNIC KACHIN FIGHTER IN COMMAND

10:13:32:05

Lt Kareng Naw Htoi

Kachin Independence Army

KARENG

The PDF soldiers have lost everything

Their houses have been burnt

Their whole families have had to abandon their belongings. 

Their main problem is not having enough weapons and ammunition.

With their motivation and effort,

if they were properly armed

I believe that they could be a lot more effective.

The local PDFs can’t arm every soldier even with old style rifles and hunting rifles. 

In the KIA area, every recruit gets their own automatic weapon when they finish training.

10:14:30:02

COMM 21

LIKE NAW NAW, BAMAHTI ABADI WAS PREVIOUSLY A CIVILIAN.  HE USED TO WORK IN A GOLD MINE BEFORE JOINING THIS BRANCH OF THE PDF.

10:14:44:11

COMM 22

GOLD MINES LIKE THIS ONE IN KAREN STATE THAT WAS BOMBED IN 2021 HAVE BEEN TARGETED BY THE MILITARY TO CUT OFF FUNDS TO OPPOSITION FORCES.

10:15:04:01

Bamahti Abadi

All my family knew and totally agreed with my idea of joining the PDF.

10:15:26:15

Bamahti Abadi

I have no idea where my family is since I lost contact with them.

That is what I mean about the sacrifices I had to make to join this cause. 

10:15:42:05

Bamahti Abadi

The reason I joined the armed revolution,

Is because I believe if you’re a real human being

You have to be brave enough to stand up for what you believe in

And say the truth.

I strongly believe that you have a duty to fight for what you believe in.  

When the regime took power,

I saw and heard about many unarmed civilians

 who tried to protest peacefully and legally

 and were indiscriminately shot and killed.

In our country we mustn’t put up with such a cruel military dictatorship

That’s why I decided to choose armed revolution

10:17:08:08

Patrol

COMM 23

THIS PDF UNIT IS ON THE FRONTLINE WITH TERRITORY CONTROLLED BY THE MYANMAR ARMY.

BUT THEY HAVE ONLY BASIC TRAINING AND COMMANDING THEM PRESENTS A NEW CHALLENGE FOR THEIR MORE EXPERIENCED OFFICER  

10:17:31:11

Lt Kareng Naw Toi

KARENG

There are some differences between KIA soldiers and PDF.

Talking about the PDF,

they joined because they wanted to fight

 against the military dictatorship and joined the PDF on their own free will,

So they can’t be forced or controlled by military rules

and regulations as much as KIA soldiers.

For example, if one KIA soldier breaks the rules, he or she will be punished according to the rules.

As for PDF soldiers, we can’t do it like that.

We have to deal with them gently

10:18:21:07

PDF troops

Helicopter/jet overhead

Title: ‘Troops burn villages in Myanmar heartland, seek to crush resistance’

Restrictions: Broadcast: Part must on screen courtesy Planet Labs PBC. Digital: Part must on screen courtesy Planet

Labs PBC.

Clip name: RTV-Troops-Burn-Villages-Myanmar

COMM 24

STRETCHED BY THE SHEER NUMBER OF PDF FORCES, THE MYANMAR MILITARY HAS STARTED SHELLING AND BOMBING CIVILLIAN TARGETS IN AN ATTEMPT TO DESTROY PDF SUPPORT

10:18:35:00

GVs looted house

COMM 25

TENS OF THOUSANDS ACROSS THE COUNTRY HAVE BEEN FORCED TO FLEE THEIR HOMES

10:18:44:05

AUNG MOE

SAGAING DIVISION

(TC 10:18:55:16 - 10:19:03:15) contributor blurred for safety reasons

MAN

When we heard about the military offensive towards our village, we fled into the jungle.  We fled on a buffalo cart because we have a big family.

10:18:56:01

(TC 10:18:55:16 - 10:19:03:15) contributor blurred for safety reasons

We were in the jungle for three nights. After we came back to our village. Soon after,   the fighting started again. That time, we fled to Gu Chi village.

10:19:04:20

They raided our house and smashed the locks.  They stove in all the doors with hoes.

10:19:14:22

They raided all the houses and took valuable things such as gold.

Some people had all their savings looted.

10:19:23:06

COMM 26

THE VILLAGERS WERE FORCED TO FLEE A SECOND TIME AND ARE NOW LIVING IN HIDING.

10:19:31:13

KHIN MAR WIN

SAGAING DIVISION

(TC 10:19:30:24 - 10:20:06:14)

This time, when we heard of the shooting, we thought it was just local soldiers firing as usual and we carried on cooking at home as usual.

But then the soldiers came in, shooting wildly and our house got hit by mortar shells.

I don’t know what happened upstairs since we didn’t get a chance to check.

Our kitchen was full of bullet holes.

Nothing like this ever happened before. But this year, it has happened three times already.

10:20:18:12

(TC 10:20:17:09 - 10:21:00:08) contributor blurred for safety reasons

COMM 27

MG WIN KHAING WAS IN THE VILLAGE WHEN THE MILITARY STARTED SHELLING IT AS HE EXPLAINED TO OUR TEAM.

10:20:24:23

MG WIN KHAING

SMALLER SIZE OF BLUR

Three days ago, the Army launched a military offensive against our village.

The regime soldiers were stationed at the Buddhist monastery.

They fired heavy mortars into the village from that Buddhist monastery.

10:20:51:13

There was no fighting between PDF and the regime.

Those dogs just randomly fired the mortars.

10:21:00:15

INCREASE INTENSITY OF BLUR ON SECOND SHOT

My friend’s wife Ma Khin Mar Lwin got killed by mortar shell fired by the regime dogs.

Her two hands were blown off. Her stomach was also blown off.

10:21:15:20

Photos after attack

(TC 10:21:19:04 - 10:21:38:21) blurred for safety reasons

You can have those pictures

The next day, they raided the village

and they torched one of the village houses saying it was a PDF post.

I took this picture when they were doing it. 

The pictures are not clear because I took them from a long way off.

10:21:49:15

COMM 28

THIS IS PART OF A PATTERN OF REPRISALS AGAINST CIVILLIANS

HALF A MILLION DISPLACED PEOPLE ARE NOW LIVING IN TERROR.  

10:22:03:09

COMM 29

BUT FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE THE MILITARY ORIGINALLY TOOK POWER IN 1962 – THERE’S GROWING OPTIMISM HERE THAT THE COALITION OF PEOPLES DEFENCE FORCES WILL TRANSFORM MYANMAR’S FUTURE.

10:22:25:04

NAW NAW

In the future of our country, I hope to see the end of military dictatorship

and a federal democratic nation governed by elected politicians.

10:22:50:18

COMM 30

BUT EVEN IF THIS REVOLUTION SUCCEEDS, WHERE OTHERS HAVE FAILED, NAW NAW FEARS THE VIOLENCE UNLEASHED IN COMMUNITIES THROUGHOUT THE NATION WILL LEAVE A TERRIBLE LEGACY

10:23:02:13

NAW NAW

I worry about reprisals against people who collaborated with the military junta.

10:23:24:05

Because there are so many armed groups in our country

I’m afraid there will be problems disarming them

and organising them after the revolution.

10:23:43:07

COMM

ALREADY THEN MILITARY HAS KILLED AN ESTIMATED TWO THOUSAND THREE HUNDERD CIVILLIANS

WITH THE REGIME STILL FIGHTING TO RETAIN CONTROL OF THE COUNTRY, IT SEEMS INEVITABLE THAT MANY MORE WILL LOSE THEIR LIVES`