2011,
Burmese,
Myanmar,
Phyo Lay,
Director: Hnin Ei Hlaing
Release Year: 2011
Synopsis:
Burmese Butterfly (2011), a documentary directed by Hnin Ei Hlaing, offers an intimate and poignant look at the life of Phyo Lay, a 21-year-old hairdresser in Myanmar, as she reflects on her tumultuous childhood and adolescence. This short but powerful film captures Phyo Lay’s journey of self-acceptance, courage, and the challenges faced by the emergent gay and transgender communities in a nation where issues of sexuality and gender identity have long been marginalized or ignored. The film offers a rare glimpse into the evolving LGBTQ+ scene in Myanmar, a country where societal norms and laws are still rooted in conservative values and where the struggle for acceptance is often invisible.
The documentary’s title, Burmese Butterfly, symbolizes Phyo Lay’s transformation—from a young child who was brutally punished for displaying femininity to a 21-year-old woman who dares to live authentically in a world that resists change. By exploring Phyo Lay’s story, Burmese Butterfly also touches upon the broader social context of Myanmar’s LGBTQ+ community, a community that is still emerging, despite facing significant social, political, and cultural barriers. Hnin Ei Hlaing, a Myanmar-born filmmaker, was motivated to create Burmese Butterfly after reading the novel Smile as They Bow by Nu Nu Yi (Innwa). The book, a fictional account of a gay love triangle set against the backdrop of the annual Taungbyone nat (spirit) festival, captivated her and inspired her to delve deeper into the lives of Myanmar’s LGBTQ+ individuals. At the time, Myanmar was under strict military rule, and censorship was pervasive in all media, making it virtually impossible for any in-depth or serious documentaries to be produced about marginalized communities, especially the gay community. Hnin Ei Hlaing’s own personal interest in the subject, coupled with the absence of such films, led her to make her own contribution to documenting these untold stories.
Born in 1985 in Kyaukphyu, Rakhine State, Hnin Ei Hlaing began her filmmaking career as an editor for Myanmar’s state-run MRTV4. Over time, she became a versatile filmmaker, taking on roles as a sound recordist and editor in various productions under the Youth Film School (YFS). Her early works, including An Untitled Life, The Change Maker, and A Bright Future, garnered attention, but it was her directorial debut, Burmese Butterfly, that marked her as a pioneering force in Myanmar’s documentary scene.
After Burmese Butterfly, Hnin Ei Hlaing continued to explore social issues through film, including The Potter’s Song (2013), which documented a community of potters in Twante near Yangon, and Period@Period (2015), a groundbreaking documentary exploring menstrual mood swings in Myanmar. She also went on to direct Midwives (2018), a feature-length documentary that examined the unique friendship between two birth attendants—one a Buddhist-Rakhine and the other a Muslim-Rohingya—filmed in the conflict-ridden region of Rakhine State. Midwives won several prestigious awards, including at Sundance, further establishing Hnin Ei Hlaing as a notable figure in the global documentary filmmaking landscape.
At the heart of Burmese Butterfly is the personal story of Phyo Lay, whose experience encapsulates the struggles faced by many in Myanmar’s LGBTQ+ community. As a child, Phyo Lay was subjected to severe physical punishment for what was considered "deviant" behavior. She was beaten for displaying femininity—traits such as preferring to play with dolls, wearing female clothing, and exhibiting characteristics that did not align with the expectations placed on boys in Myanmar’s patriarchal society. This early trauma, which many LGBTQ+ individuals in Myanmar share, shaped Phyo Lay’s understanding of identity and societal expectations.
However, as Phyo Lay grew older, she began to explore her gender identity more openly, defying the rigid gender norms of her culture. In the documentary, she explains how, at 21, she feels comfortable living as a woman, despite the ongoing societal pressures to conform to a more traditional, male-presenting identity. Phyo Lay’s personal journey is one of self-discovery, resilience, and the slow but steady process of finding the courage to live authentically, even as she continues to face prejudice and rejection from many corners of society.
In the film, Phyo Lay’s story is framed within the broader context of Myanmar’s LGBTQ+ community. While the community has historically been marginalized and often invisible, Burmese Butterfly offers a glimpse into its emergence. As Phyo Lay reflects on her life, she expresses a deep desire for societal acceptance and wishes that everyone could embrace her for who she truly is. In one of the film's most moving moments, Phyo Lay states that while she wishes the world would change, she is also committed to continuing to live her life as her true self, regardless of the obstacles she faces.
Phyo Lay’s journey is set against the backdrop of Myanmar’s challenging legal and cultural landscape. Homosexuality is illegal in Myanmar under Section 377 of the Penal Code, which criminalizes “unnatural” sexual acts, a legacy of British colonial rule. While the law is rarely enforced, the mere existence of such legislation perpetuates discrimination and social stigma. Beyond legal constraints, Myanmar’s conservative Buddhist culture places a strong emphasis on traditional gender roles and heteronormativity, making it difficult for LGBTQ+ individuals to live openly and without fear of reprisal.
Despite these challenges, the LGBTQ+ community in Myanmar has begun to find ways to express itself. In recent years, there has been an increasing visibility of LGBTQ+ individuals, particularly in Yangon and other urban centers, where young people are more likely to question traditional gender roles and embrace a more inclusive notion of identity. However, Burmese Butterfly serves as a reminder that for many, the road to self-acceptance is still fraught with personal and societal challenges.
The film’s subtle yet impactful portrayal of the LGBTQ+ community in Myanmar is an essential contribution to the global conversation about gender and sexual rights. While many documentaries focus on the struggles of LGBTQ+ individuals in the West, Burmese Butterfly offers a unique and culturally specific perspective from Southeast Asia. It is not just a story about one young woman’s journey, but a window into the broader process of societal change in a country on the cusp of transformation.
Hnin Ei Hlaing’s directorial style in Burmese Butterfly is understated yet powerful. The film is primarily a character study, with a focus on Phyo Lay’s personal narrative, but it also uses the backdrop of Myanmar’s landscapes and everyday life to illustrate the cultural context in which Phyo Lay’s story unfolds. The documentary’s quiet yet poignant approach allows the viewer to deeply connect with Phyo Lay and her struggles, while also allowing room for empathy and reflection.
By presenting a personal, intimate story, Hnin Ei Hlaing humanizes the LGBTQ+ experience in Myanmar, shifting the focus away from sensationalism or political discourse. This makes the documentary accessible to a wide range of audiences, including those unfamiliar with the complexities of gender identity and LGBTQ+ issues. Burmese Butterfly is a call for understanding, acceptance, and the recognition of the humanity in all individuals, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity.
The film’s success at over 20 international film festivals is a testament to its impact, both in terms of storytelling and the importance of its subject matter. Through Burmese Butterfly, Hnin Ei Hlaing has given a voice to a group that has often been silenced, creating a platform for discussion and a tool for advocacy in Myanmar and beyond.
Burmese Butterfly is an essential documentary that captures the complexities of living as a transgender individual in Myanmar, offering both a personal and cultural exploration of identity, love, and acceptance. Through the lens of Phyo Lay’s life, the film provides a rare and vital perspective on the evolving LGBTQ+ community in Myanmar, shedding light on the challenges and triumphs of those who dare to live authentically in a society that often demands conformity.
Hnin Ei Hlaing’s groundbreaking work as a filmmaker has brought visibility to a previously underrepresented community, sparking important conversations about LGBTQ+ rights, gender identity, and the need for greater social acceptance. Burmese Butterfly stands as a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the ongoing fight for dignity, equality, and love in a changing Myanmar.
Image credits: Viddsee
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