Love Story of Suu Kyi to be on Screen

12 December 2010 – KUALA LUMPUR (Chinland Guardian):  A Hollywood film based on the love story of Burma’s democracy leader, Aung San Suu Kyi and her late husband, Micheal Aris is going to be released worldwide next year, according to news report from Hollywood.

Named “The Divided Heart,” the film will focus on the romantic side of Suu Kyi, instead of her political struggle to free Burma from military dictators.

According to sources, the film which is directed by well-known French director Luc Besson will put a lot of emphasis on Aris who was diagnosed with cancer in 1997 and passed away two years later.

“The film will tell the world about the suffering of Aris, how he took care of his two sons and struggled to free Suu Kyi from house arrest. It is also about how Suu Kyi faced a difficult decision, to leave or not to leave Burma,” according to a Chinese newspaper in Malaysia.

The news on the filming of Suu Kyi’s true story is making headlines in Asia including Malaysia and Thailand. The film will be starred by Malaysia-born Hollywood actress, Michelle Yeoh.

Yeoh, well known for her action-packed blockbusters, recently spent a day with Suu Kyi in Rangoon in preparation to take the role of Suu Kyi in the new film.

Meanwhile, the Bangkok Post reported that shooting of the film has been conducted in recent months in Bangkok and nearby locations, including Muang Thong Thani and Khlong Song in Pathum Thani.

Hundreds of Thai people were hired to portray Burmese in The Divided Heart, which is the first foreign movie shot specifically about the life of Suu Kyi.

By Thomas Chong