Lee Yong Chao

Somewhere in Myanmar is a forest rich in amber and controlled by the Kachin Independence Army (KIA). Most of its inhabitants work in a mine, digging the earth night and days in the hope of finding the precious ore that will get them out of poverty. But on top of the excruciating hardship of the work, they also have to fear an attack from the army.

In Quan Ma He village, deep in the mountains of Northern Myanmar, a young couple welcomes their newborn child. Should they follow the other villagers by travelling to southern China to make their fortune, or should they simply stay and inherit the family farm?

A documentary of the life story of a violent and bloodthirsty young man from Kachin, Myanmar, who casually discusses killing as if it were not his own story. His past of a non-voluntary, military life has cost him a great deal and completely changed his post-military life. With all the wounds and experiences, he is now considering which path to take for the future.

Myanmar is currently in a state of turmoil. Zhong wants to leave Myanmar....


The documentary follows the life of Ah-Tian's family over the course of 7 years and also shows the changes in Myanmar, the dangerous work at the jade mines, and the big rains every year which compel Ah Tian to come back home to look after his family. – MUBI

In Hpakant, Myanmar, poor young people are numerous. Some of them engage in drug trafficking and make a living out of it. Some of them choose to leave Hpakant in pursuit of love. Some of them stay in Hpakant and dream that the jade hidden in the mountains might be the hope of improving their future lives; thus they often sing this song: “…before the best of luck comes, don’t underestimate we, jade miners…”.

"About the jade-mining lives led by the Burmese youths, most of whom work illegally for black jobs, risking and betting on their lives, for a meager living or the commitments to their beloved ones."

The sound of sutra chanting echoes slightly around the temple located in northern Burma. The monks here are leading a peaceful life.

On a large river somewhere in Myanmar, while mining for gold aboard an old and rusty boat, one of the workers thinks about the promise he once made to his far away love, Lily.