Meet Zarganar, Burma’s greatest living comedian; a stand-up, film-maker, playwright and anti-authority figure renowned for his biting satire.

Relentlessly victimised by Burma’s military rulers, Zarganar, aka Maung Thura, now languishes in a remote jail as the generals try to shut him up once and for all.

The plight of this comic, who really did stand up to authority, is at the heart of THIS PRISON WHERE I LIVE, a feature documentary that tells Zarganar’s story and follows a fellow comedian from Europe, Michael Mittermeier, who heads to Burma to find out more about this remarkable man.

This moving documentary will receive its UK premiere at The Ritzy Picturehouse in Brixton, London on 2 November 2010

Burma, now officially Myanmar, is notorious for its tough military regime and harsh treatment of anyone who challenges it. On 7 November 2010 it will hold its first “general election” in 20 years.

In 2007, despite being banned from all forms of artistic activity and speaking to foreign media, Zarganar agreed to be interviewed by British film-maker Rex Bloomstein. Over the next two days this courageous and irrepressible man welcomed Bloomstein’s team into his flat and talked of the work he loves and the repression that he has lived under, showing the cinemas that are prevented from screening his films, the bookstalls that aren’t allowed to sell his plays or poetry and the makeshift studio where his fellow comics rehearse on a stage – but where he is forbidden to perform – and most importantly, telling his wonderful jokes.

Since then, like many of Burma’s dissidents, Zarganar has been silenced. In 2008 he spoke out against the government’s failure to aid the victims of Cyclone Nargis and was condemned by the ruling generals to 59 years behind bars, later reduced to 35 years on appeal.

Equally irreverent and famous for tackling taboo subjects in his comic routines, Mittermeier has extended the range of comedy and satire in the German-speaking world. Hearing of Zarganar’s fate and seeing the footage, he joined with Bloomstein to make a film about the man who has paid such a price for speaking out against the regime. Together with a small team, they travelled secretly to Burma.

THIS PRISON WHERE I LIVE is an eye-opening documentary that not only follows Mittermeier’s exploration into the personality, the motivation and the talent of the man who describes himself as the ‘loudspeaker’ for his people, but also gives us a rare glimpse of what it is to practise humour under dictatorship.

Two men joined by comedy and separated by repression.

There are many oppressive regimes across the world; however Burma presents a combination of circumstances that makes a compelling case for action. As such, and in line with the call from democratically-elected representatives of the Burmese people, The Co-operative does not trade with Burma, The Co-operative Travel has delisted the country as a tourist destination, and The Co-operative Bank will not finance any commercial organisation with a significant presence in Burma.

Contact details: Debbie Murray at Aim Publicity

Phone: 020 8292 2818/07836 672 871  Email: debbie@aimpublicity.com

www.thisprisonwhereilive.co.uk www.freezarganar.org

‘Zarganar’s story is a prime example of the Burmese regime’s denial of freedom of expression, yet it also reminds us of the enduring ability of humour and creativity to surmount oppression. It is our duty to tell this story to the world.’

Christine Payne, General Secretary of Equity

‘Zarganar is a remarkable character – very funny and very appealing –  which makes his imprisonment seem all the more unforgiveable…fascinating, upsetting, and inspiring.’

Michael Palin

‘English PEN awarded Burmese poet and satirist Zarganar the inaugural PEN Pinter Prize for an International Writer of Courage in 2009.  His courage and craft are indeed outstanding.  He is one of those remarkable artists who speaks ‘the truth to power’. His reward from Burma’s repressive military regime has been long imprisonment: we continue to campaign for his release.  This powerful and poignant documentary brings the man himself to audiences worldwide. Everyone should see it’

Lisa Appignanesi, President, English PEN

‘Performers are often at the front line in the fight for freedom of expression. This Prison Where I Live shows that in some countries, to be a comedian requires great courage as well as a sense of humour.

Zarganar is a prisoner of conscience, jailed for peacefully speaking his mind. He should be immediately and unconditionally released. I hope this film helps to raise awareness of Zarganar’s plight and inspires people to take action for him.’

Verity Coyle, Amnesty International UK’s Burma Campaigner

Mark Farmaner

Director

Burma Campaign UK
28 Charles Square
London
N1 6HT

Direct Tel: +44 (0)20 7324 4713

Mobile:+44 (0)7941239640
Email: mark.farmaner@burmacampaign.org.uk
Web: www.burmacampaign.org.uk

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The Burma Campaign UK, Registered Company No. 3804730, Registered office address as shown above.
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