“This is not a film, it is reality”, says Burmese monk Ashin Sopaka. It’s true that, to us, what happens in Burma is too often seen as a film or TV news.
That reality is now revealed in a short documentary made by the Burma Partnership in collaboration with Kestrel Media. Entitled “This is Not Democracy”, it explains why the Burmese people do not believe that the upcoming elections are a first step towards democracy, but rather a way to reinforce the military regime under a civilian facade. In addition to the accounts given by Ashin Sopaka, the documentary also features interviews with Naw Htoo Paw of the Karen Women’s Organization and U Win Hlaing of the National League for Democracy.
There is much to see and hear, including many disturbing scenes. Especially if we remember that this is not just a film. It is reality.

Burma's 2010 Election: This is NOT Democracy from Kestrel Media on Vimeo.