Vice-Senior General Soe Win honours 2023 Myanmar Academy Awards Ceremony

State Administration Council Vice-Chairman Deputy Prime Minister Vice-Senior General Soe Win attended yesterday’s 2023 Myanmar Academy Awards Ceremony at the Myanmar International Convention Centre I (MICC I), Nay Pyi Taw.
The Vice-Senior General and wife first observed the photos of past Academy Award recipients, records of film awards from 1952 to 2022, and outstanding artistes and technicians displayed at the entrance to the Jade Hall of MICC I.
The artistes from the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Culture and Forever Group then performed the six significant movies from the beginning of the Myanmar movie industry to date, and the activities of handing over the arts through history holding Academy statues.
After the opening procedures of the ceremony, the Vice-Senior General made an opening speech.
He first expressed his delight and pride for having a chance to honour the great artistes on this auspicious occasion, saying the world film industry emerged in the late 19th century, whereas Myanmar motion pictures appeared in the early 20th century, so it can be said that the early period of Myanmar motion picture can keep up-to-date with the world.
The first Myanmar movie, “Metta and Athura”, screened at the cinema in 1920, was created by a Myanmar author and a Myanmar scriptwriter, and Myanmar actors and actresses starred in it. It is the actual Myanmar film that depicts the living style of Myanmar people. Therefore, it should pay respect to those who created and were involved in that movie.
When looking back at the history of Myanmar film, the artistes made efforts to create various movies that shared the knowledge and experiences with the Myanmar people despite the challenges. In other words, they tried to develop together with the international film industry over 100 years, from silent films to talkies, black-and-white to colour, and fullscreen to widescreen.
Moreover, the artistes reflect the country’s essential role and real situation, including people’s living styles, through artworks from the colonial era to silver, gold, diamond jubilees, and centenary celebrations.
He also urged all from the movie industry to serve the interest of the nation and people, utilizing the soft power of the arts.
He then highlighted the participation of artistes from movie, music, theatrical industries and comedian associations in assisting the victims of Mocha that occurred in Sittway and its vicinity areas of Rakhine State on 14 May 2023, saying that the government appreciated their efforts as they implemented the motto of Myanmar Motion Pictures Organization “Movie is for People”.
He continued that the artistes from literature, movie, music and theatrical industries should know the priority while comparing personal affairs, organizational affairs and State affairs. Nowadays, the government sets two national visions: the prosperity of the State and food security. Food security is essential for the prosperity of the State, and promoting the manufacturing of marketable agriculture and livestock-based export products can improve the people’s socioeconomic status. Therefore, the Prime Minister leads the Central Committee on Development of Micro-, Small- and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs) and cooperates with the relevant working group and subgroup officials to accelerate the work plans. Moreover, regional stability, the rule of law, and socioeconomic development are essential, so every citizen should create the country’s future based on patriotism and nationalism.
He also stated the role of artistes as a cultural house containing tangible and intangible culture that stimulates the public, reflecting the ability of a nation and a human society. He described it as a bridge for cultural exchange for having colossal power that can change the mindset of the people.
He continued that the messages conveyed by the arts have substantially positive and negative impacts on a nation and race. Therefore, it plays a crucial role in expressing the values of culture.
Therefore, the artistes should work with the government to develop the country and people, possessing patriotism and nationalism and the State’s peace, unity and progress.
He added that 35 movies were screened in 2023, and the outstanding artistes will be selected for Academy Awards. It can be said the COVID-hit film industry almost return to normal in 2023.
The government also assists in developing the literature, movie, music and theatrical industries, so the artistes should try hard to focus on the State’s development, patriotism, raising knowledge of people and achieving State objectives in addition to entertainment purposes.
Currently, the government serves the appropriate duties based on the country’s situation. So, all the citizens should understand that non-disintegration of the Union, non-disintegration of the national solidarity and perpetuation of sovereignty are the most essential things and the most suitable national goal, national objective and national task.
The Vice-Senior General also mentioned the various ways and strategies of powerful countries in influencing small countries in the post-Cold War era, using words like human rights and democracy, standing with the powerful countries and putting pressure and posing a threat to small countries today.
He also urged the artistes to have national awareness and national conscience. In contrast, those who lack national awareness rely on the assistance of other countries and act as stooges, committing destructive activities to topple stability and accelerate the conflicts.
He then called on the artistes to serve the country’s and people’s interests with the right consideration.
Chairman of MMPO Academy Kyi Soe Tun expressed his pleasure.
Academy Swe Zin Htike presented the Myanmar Academy Fashion Awards to Academy Khant Sithu, Academy Khin Thida Tun, Henry San and Actress Ei Chaw Po respectively.
The master of ceremonies explained the assessment and selection of academy awards for 2023.
Union Minister for Information U Maung Maung Ohn announced the 2023 National Lifetime Award for Motion Pictures Achievement.
The Vice-Senior General and wife presented the 2023 National Lifetime Award for Motion Pictures Achievement to director Aung Myint Myat, Academy Nwet Nwet San, and Academy director Pachi Soe Moe, who said thanks.
The film artistic and fine arts awards were then announced. The best cinematography award went to Win Lwin Htet, the best film music award to Kaung Hset Paing (Gita Myo), the best film script award to Academy director Nyo Min Lwin, the best film award to Khittiya Film Industry, the best film director award to Tin Aung San (Pan Myo Daw), the best supporting actress award to May Myint Mo, the best supporting award to Nay Win, the best actress award to Soe Myat Thuza and the best actor award to Yan Aung.
Union Minister for Information U Maung Maung Ohn and veteran Academy award winners and artistes presented Academy gold statues to the winners who spoke words of thanks.
The Vice-Senior General presented Academy gold statues to the best actor and actress award winners and cordially greeted technicians and artistes from the motion pictures, literary, theatrical and musical arenas.
The Academy Awards were presented to the most outstanding artistes and technicians from 35 movies in 2023. The Academy awarding ceremony has been held from 1952 to date. Since 1994, 11 outstanding awards have been given to winners. The silver star from the statue has been changed with two-tical gold star since 1993, and it was changed again with a five-tical star starting in 2017. — MNA/TTA/KTZH