GUARDIANS of PARADISE
a film by Ivan Maria Friedman
music by Max Richter
Switzerland, 2021
11 min 48 sec
An intimate glance into the Burmese life and culture in the months preceding the 2021 military coup. A meditation on Freedom & Peace to support the People of Bagan and Myanmar in their struggle towards peace and a more equal society.
"The filmmaker has a rare and remarkable sensitivity for the cultural and spiritual aesthetics of the country and the people. I wish it were shown on national television every hour in every country worldwide".
Alan Clements, Author
These images were shot with the generous participation of the people of Bagan, a famous historical and religious site in Myanmar, between 2018 and 2020.
On February first 2021, the army has overthrown the democratically elected government in a coup d'état that affected 54 millions of Burmese dramatically, plunging the whole country into fear, violence and extreme isolation. Currently trapped between a deadly third wave of Covid, their own military killing them and a collapsing economy, the situation in Burma is a humanitarian disaster that reaches new lows every single day.
On February first 2021, the army has overthrown the democratically elected government in a coup d'état that affected 54 millions of Burmese dramatically, plunging the whole country into fear, violence and extreme isolation. Currently trapped between a deadly third wave of Covid, their own military killing them and a collapsing economy, the situation in Burma is a humanitarian disaster that reaches new lows every single day.
To this day, at least 931 innocent civilians were killed by the army, 6871 were arrested, among whom journalists, artists, actors, fashion models, influencers and political opponents. 65 were sentenced to death penalty for protesting against the new regime and an estimated 230,000 people have been displaced by violence and fighting.
In a moment where they need international attention the most, this work wish to portray the uniqueness of the Burmese culture, as well as to bear witness of their incredible strength, whose true power lies in compassion, gracefulness, true generosity and human dignity.
As the matter receive very little coverage on the medias and the international community is mostly turning their back to them, I hope to spread some awareness on their tragic situation. I wish you enjoy this film about Burma and its peaceful people. Please help the world know about them and what's happening there.
UNEDITED
AWARDS:
VENICE SHORTS
Venice, California, 2021
Winner, Best Short Film Cinematograper
BERLIN ART FILM FESTIVAL
Berlin, 8th Edition, 2022
Winner Best Documentary Short
PRISMA ROME INDEPENDENT FILM AWARDS
Rome, 2021
Winner Best Cinematography, Best short Doc
Barcelona International Film Festival
Barcelona, Spain, February 2022
Winner Best Cinematography
VENEZIA SHORTS
Venezia, 2021
Winner Best Cinematography
Pluriart Film Festival
Padova, Italy, February 2022
Winner Best Photography
MONTREAL INDEPENDENT FILM FESTIVAL
Montreal, 2022
Winner Best Short Film Cinematographer
Winner Best Experimental Short Film
INDIE SHORTS AWARDS CANNES
Cannes, 2022
Winner Best Documentary Short Film
NEW YORK INDEPENDENT CINEMA AWARDS
New York, 2021
2nd Best Short Documentary Special
Guardians of Paradise
BURMA SPRING BENEFIT FILM FESTIVAL
California / Worldwide, February 2021
OFFICIAL SELECTION
PARIS FILM AWARDS
Paris , 2021
WINNER Best Experimental Short film, Best International Short film, Special Jury Award: Best Cinematography Short film
CANNES WORLD FILM FESTIVAL
Cannes, 2021
Winner Best humanitarian short film, Best Cinematography, Best Spiritual/Mystical short film, Best Native people film
CANNES WORLD FILM FESTIVAL
Cannes, 2021
GRAND WINNER: Best humanitarian short film
SWEDEN FILM AWARDS
Stockholm, 2021
Winner Best Cinematography Short Film - Ivan Maria Friedman
1st MONTHLY FILM AWARDS
Belgrade, 2021
Winner Best Cinematography - Ivan Maria Friedman
INTERNATIONAL FILM FEST OF ANDAMAN AND NICOBAR
Port Blair, 2021
Winner Best humanitarian short film, Best Cinematography, Best Spiritual/Mystical short film, Best Native people film
HOLLYWOOD GOLD AWARDS
Hollywood, USA, January 2022
Winner Silver Award - Inspirational Film
LONDON MOVIE AWARDS
London, January 2022
Winner Best Short Documentary
ROMA SHORT FILM FEST
Roma, February 2022
Jury Special Selection - Best Short Film
TEKKA INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
Singapore - 2021
Winner best documentary short film
GUEEN AHILYA GLOBAL CINE FEST
Kolkota, India 2021
Best Short film / Best Cinematography / Best film on Religion
Thank you for watching.
Visit my website : https://www.ivanfriedman.art/
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