My Positive Life

Synopsis

When 51-year old U Chit Ko Ko learned six years ago that he was HIV-positive he thought his life was over. A friend encouraged him to visit FXB where counselling helped him to overcome his fear and depression. He has since become an assistant social worker for this NGO, where he coordinates a Sunday Empowerment Group to provide valuable support to a growing, but often stigmatised section of the population.

In this film, the warm, funny and remarkably open U Chit tells his story and talks about the role he now plays in helping other virus-positive people make the most of their lives.

Director's Biography

Wai Mar Nyunt graduated in fine art from Yangon University in 1998, and has since created a number of installations and video art pieces. She attended YFS from 2007 to 2009 where she directed the delightful short documentary Happy Days. Wai Mar has since created two YFS-produced films for development organisations: My Positive Life about FXB Myanmar’s psycho-social support group for people living with HIV, and Sun Behind the Clouds (2008) about World Concern-trained health workers in Kachin State. In 2009, she received a scholarship to attend the Czech School of Performing Arts, FAMU, in Prague where she co-created an experimental film with a Finnish filmmaker, Dragon Beach, as well as making her graduation film about the 2010 elections in Myanmar, Unfinished Painting. She shared her directing skills with her peers during the YFS train-to-teach programme from 2012 to 2016, and subsequently taught at filmmaking workshops held by the independent production company DONE at several sites in Myanmar including Loikaw in Kayah State.

Screenings

September, 2010
Thai International Short Film Festival
Bangkok, Thailand
October, 2010
Doi Saket Film Festival
Thailand
November, 2010
Heinrich Boell Foundation
Berlin, Germany
February, 2011
Lifescapes Southeast Asian Film Festival
Chiang Mai, Thailand

Director's Filmography

2003
Shwedagon by Night

Director

20‘0‘‘

2007

Director

12‘49‘‘

2007
Hotel Chef

Director

3‘17‘‘

2008
My Positive Life

Director

20‘0‘‘

2008
Sun Behind the Clouds

Director/Editor

13‘13‘‘

2010
Rice – Towards a Better Future

Sound Recordist

32‘17‘‘

2010
Happy Soul

Writer/Director

8‘0‘‘

2010
The Dragon Beach

Co-Director

18‘0‘‘

2014
Tea Shop in Downtown

Director/Producer

25‘0‘‘

2015
Unfinished Painting

Director/Producer

6‘0‘‘

2022
The Mute

Director/Producer

28‘0‘‘

Pictures