In a Strange Land
DosVelas Pictures
For more than 60 years many ethnic nationalities have been in a struggle with the military regime of Burma to achieve their respective independent states. Due to increasingly brutal persecution by the military junta, especially since the 1980’s, thousands of people have fled to the Thai-Burma border.
There are now approximately 150,000 Burmese refugees of various ethnic nationalities living in camps in Thailand and over one million internally displaced people living in desperate conditions in Burma.
The United Nations instigated a program in 2005 to resettle these refugees to Third Countries.
In 2009 the plan is to resettle approximately 10,000 refugees from the Nai Soi camp alone.
Among those applying are some Kayan, an ethnic minority from Karenni (Kayah) State in Burma.
Due to the unique custom of their women who wear brass coils around their necks, these refugees live in villages separate from the refugee camps and have become one of the main tourist attractions in Northern Thailand.
What opportunities await those who will resettle?
How will this diaspora affect their culture and customs?
What is the future for those who stay behind?
This documentary film intends to bring attention to the current situation in Burma and reflect on this critical moment of these people's history.
