China handed over the ‘Thu Chit’ movie to Myanmar, marking the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Myanmar and China, at MRTV Studio A in Yangon yesterday.
The ceremony was attended by Union Minister for Information U Maung Maung Ohn, the permanent secretary and officials, Minister Counsellor of the Chinese Embassy to Myanmar Dr Zheng Zhihong, the Myanmar Motion Pictures Organization chairman and executive members, the Myanmar Press Council chairman and invitees.
The master of ceremony first briefed the ‘Thu Chit’ film.
In his opening speech, the Union minister said the movie industry has huge inspirational power across various artistic fields and holds significant influence. Moreover, it can deeply penetrate and impact different aspects of society.
The artistic creations in the film serve as a universal art form that fosters connection and integration between countries, people and cultures. In communication among countries and people, films can help people understand one another despite language barriers.
He then extended a wish to maintain good diplomatic relations and strengthen the friendship between China and Myanmar through collaboration in the film industry.
The minister counsellor of the Chinese Embassy to Myanmar handed over two hard disks of the ‘Thu Chit’ movie, followed by his explanation of the film transfer.
The Union minister, the Chinese minister counsellor and attendees watched the film.
The ‘Thu Chit’ movie was produced by British Burma Film in 1951 and directed by U Chan Tun. The casts are A1 Nyunt Maung and May Myint. Among the films of director U Chan Tun, Thu Zar and Thu Chit are the most famous ones, including the movie ‘Gon’.
The ‘Thu Chit’ film depicts the lives of farmers these days. The cast was selected to conform to the story, and other countries, including China, purchased Myanmar films that they liked. In 1955, China bought the ‘Thu Chit’ film for 2,500 pounds sterling and showed it. In 1957, the film was dubbed in Chinese and screened at the 1957 Asian Film Festival in Beijing, China, receiving international recognition and admiration.
The ‘Thu Chit’ movie was changed into a quality digital format by China, and China handed over the digitalized version to the Ministry of Information to mark the 75th anniversary of the establishment of Myanmar-China diplomatic relations. The film will be broadcast on MRTV channels soon.
On the same morning, the Union minister, accompanied by Yangon Region Social Affairs Minister U Htay Aung and officials, inspected the maintenance of the Wazira Cinema in Kyauktada Township, Yangon.
The cinema is being upgraded into a red-carpet cinema. It is situated in the downtown centre of Yangon near Sule Pagoda, and it is the best place to operate the film industry and other artistic industries. Moreover, world travellers to Yangon can be fascinated with the culture of ethnic people and traditional dance.
The cinema was supposed to be built in 1924. It is situated on Bogyoke Aung San Road, and it features Beaux-Arts of French between the 16th and 18th centuries. The original name was New Excelsior, and it was renamed A1 Cinema in 1942 and Wazira Cinema in 1968.
After the renovation processes, it will be the red-carpet cinema and a venue to hold the meetings and discussions for play, theatrical, dance, music concerts, and studios.
Moreover, the cinema will serve as a venue for international film festivals, memory film festivals, and an ancient cultural heritage museum for tourists. It will screen ancient films, puppet shows and display booths on weekends.
MNA/KTZH
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