Asia Centre kicked off its film screening series at its Media Hub with three movies from the Peacock Film Festival entitled “Untold Stories from Myanmar”. The screening, in collaboration with the Democratic Voice of Burma (DVB) and its Peacock Film Festival was held on 26 September 2026 showcased three short documentaries exploring critical social issues in present day Myanmar.
The first film was “Fragments of Witness” by Kha Baung, which captures a filmmaker’s search for a lost home through the ruins of a devastated land. The next film was “Melody of Hope” by Haki, which follows refugee children pursuing freedom through music amid airstrikes. “Star” by Ugly Crow was the last film, documenting Daw Radi Ong’s journey from lecturer to journalist, paying tribute to young lives lost for freedom. All three films represent the hardships and suffering caused by the 1 February 2021 military coup d’etat that sparked the civil war.
The screening was opened by Asia Centre’s Regional Director Dr James Gomez who introduced Asia Centre and the partnership with DVB and the Peacock Film Festival (PFF). DVB’s Executive Producer of the Citizen Journalist Shorts Program Chan Chan and co-host of the event, discussed the origins of the PFF and the vital role of sharing the voices and stories of the people in Myanmar to facilitate international awareness and draw attention to the ongoing crisis. She highlighted the impact of the films, bringing the reality faced by the people in Myanmar closer to the audience.
The film screening was attended by 41 people, including students and staff from local universities, civil society organisations as well as film and festival enthusiasts. The founder and executive director, Soraya Alkaff, attended the screening alongside several Myanmar refugee interns from Pertubuhan Kebajikan Cahaya Surya Bakti, an NGO in Johor Bahru that provides education and support to refugee children. Between screenings, the interns shared their firsthand experiences of displacement, fleeing to Malaysia and being subject to discrimination. Ms. Alkaff emphasised the importance of educating society and raising awareness to minimise discrimination against already marginalised groups.
The screening was followed by a question and answer session with Chan Chan and three panelists. The speakers JOGREEN founder Chris Parry, Malaysian filmmaker Amir Nurrahim, and artist-filmmaker Jason Soo, reflected on the documentaries by highlighting themes of tragedy and hope, with Chris drawing on his experience working together with refugees from Myanmar in Malaysia. They urged the audience to become agents of fostering a more accepting society. They further emphasised the necessity of portraying more of the bravery, active resistance and sacrifices of the people from Myanmar. This helps audiences of these films to understand the horrors experienced under the military regime.
During the Q&A, participants highlighted the critical need for funding independent journalism, with Dr. James Gomez and Chan Chan detailing how recent US funding cuts directly hinder independent documentary production. Panelists also examined the historical roots of the civil war and the severe discrimination against the Rohingya people in Myanmar and abroad, tracing contemporary polarisation and violence back to colonial legacies. It was noted that in Malaysia, refugees from Myanmar face severe challenges due to a lack of legal documentation, refugee laws, and social discrimination. Participants agreed that it is vital for initiatives to educate the public to foster a more accepting environment.
“Untold Stories from Myanmar”, represents the first event in Asia Centre’s film screening series. The aim of the series is to shed light on the lived experiences of individuals and communities facing severe crises and to foster awareness and support for these issues. Stay tuned for more film screening updates.
