Seafic Official Statement on the Arrest of Myanmar Filmmaker Ma Aeint
Bangkok, June 8th 2021
Last night, we received the distressing news that Myanmar producer Ma Aeint was arrested and detained on June 5th, 2021 in Yangon after leaving home at noon. The stated reason for her arrest was not fully revealed. The next day, her family was informed of her arrest. They also learned that she is currently housed at an undisclosed place of interrogation. There has not been any communication with her since her disappearance.
Ma Aeint, who recently produced and co-wrote the Busan New Currents competition film MONEY HAS FOUR LEGS (2020) by director Mg Sun, is a regular attendee of SEAFIC Open Fair, and is alumni of Ties That Bind, FAMU Summer Filmmaking Initiation Campus as well as Locarno Open Doors consultancy. She is a respected and important part of the international film community. We at SEAFIC are extremely concerned for her well-being, and would like to demand for her immediate release. Her safety and well-being is of utmost importance. Moreover, we urge the Myanmar military to cease the crackdown on its filmmakers and free those who have been arrested immediately.
Myanmar Filmmaker Ma Aeint
