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Deep Dive: The Venerable W. (2017)

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The Venerable W.
The Venerable W. is a documentary by Barbet Schroeder that examines the role of Ashin Wirathu, a Buddhist monk in Myanmar, in promoting Islamophobia and inciting violence against the Muslim minority in the country. The film presents Wirathu's rhetoric and its impact on the Buddhist majority, leading to riots and acts of persecution. It also shows the involvement of certain government officials in these violent acts, illustrating a broader societal issue of racism and religious intolerance in Myanmar. With a runtime of 107 minutes, the film premiered at the 2017 Cannes Film Festival and was released in France and Switzerland later that year. Schroeder's approach includes a personal narrative, as he and his crew initially posed as tourists while documenting the situation, only to discover they were being monitored by Myanmar's military police. This adds a layer of tension to the film, emphasizing the risks involved in addressing such sensitive topics.

Why Watch

  • •Meet Ashin Wirathu, the monk inciting violence in Myanmar.
  • •See how government officials support anti-Muslim actions.
  • •Find out about the impact of hate speech on society.

Did You Know

•The film is part of Barbet Schroeder's 'Trilogy of Evil' series.
•Ashin Wirathu's rhetoric has led to thousands of Muslims fleeing Myanmar.
•The documentary has a runtime of 107 minutes.
•Schroeder's crew was monitored by Myanmar's military police during filming.

Perfect For

Buddhist studiesHuman rights issuesDocumentary filmmaking