Art and belief merge in the sculpture of a Hindu goddess
Synopsis
Surrounded by his lively family in his small flat in Yangon, Brahmin astrologer U Than Htun devotes himself to creating a sculpture dedicated to the Hindu goddess, Chandi. As he skilfully twists straw, kneads clay and applies vibrant paint in order to shape the figure, he explains how his belief informs the entire artistic process.
Director's Statement
As a Christian, I had very little knowledge about the Hindu religion. On entering U Than Htun’s apartment, I was astonished by the vibrant colours of the sculptures of Hindu gods and goddesses that adorn his home. Watching him at work, I quickly became fascinated by the spiritual aspect of his art. “You must be familiar with the goddess’s history in order for the statue to be authentic, otherwise it will just be a toy,” he explained at one point. His ability to be completely at one with his movements and to live in the moment also reminded me of my grandfather, who would make me little clay animals when I was a kid.
Director's Biography
Nant May Flower is of Karen ethnicity. Born in 2002, she lives in Inn Ta Yaw village in Myanmar’s Ayeyarwady Region. After studying at the Migrant Learning Center in Mae Sot, Thailand, and at Theik Khar Myanmar Institute, she became interested in filmmaking and joined Yangon Film School in 2022. During her studies, May Flower has explored various roles: she was cinematographer on Nyan Lynn Aung’s Living with Elephants, sound recordist on Htet Ko Ko Paing’s Colorful Dreams and Mi Ni Ni Aung’s Black Lady Sings. Her passion for sound led her to work on the sound design of her peers Mi Ni Ni Aung’s and Yadanar Oo’s documentaries Dancing with the Spirits and Life is Salty! respectively, and she is also co-creator of a short drama, A Story About Love. Her first documentary was a portrait of a Brahmin sculptor, With Love and Devotion, which she also filmed, edited and mixed. Nay Chi marks her second film as a director.
Director's Filmography
2023
With Love & Devotion
Director/Editor
18‘41‘‘
