Archive · 18 Jul 2025
Myanmar's 'Midwives' Documentary Explores Ethnic Strife
Imagine a movie about two women in a place called Myanmar, where people don't always get along.
One woman is Buddhist and the other is Rohingya, a group that is often treated unfairly.
The movie shows how these two women work together as midwives, helping pregnant women have their babies.
They face challenges because of the different groups, but they still care for each other and the people around them.
The film shows the difficulties the Rohingya face and how even a military takeover affects people.
It hopes that people can learn to understand each other, like the midwives.
The documentary "Midwives" follows a Buddhist midwife and her Rohingya apprentice in Myanmar.
The film highlights the challenges faced by the Rohingya, an oppressed ethnic minority group.
The midwives provide healthcare in Rakhine, a region where ethnic tensions are high.
The film shows the impact of state-sponsored hatred and discrimination on daily life.
The documentary concludes with the military coup of 2021 and its effect on the region.
- Who
- A Buddhist midwife, Hla, and her Rohingya apprentice, Nyo Nyo.
- What
- A documentary following two midwives in Myanmar.
- When
- The film covers a five-year period; final scenes shot after the February 1st 2021 coup.
- Where
- Rakhine, Myanmar.
- Why
- To highlight the challenges faced by the Rohingya, the effects of ethnic division, and the impact of state-sponsored hatred.
Rohingya Perspective
Government/Other Perspectives
Ethnic Discrimination
Rohingya Perspective
Discrimination and oppression faced by the Rohingya.
Government/Other Perspectives
Expressed through restrictions on their lives.
- Title
- "Midwives"
- Setting
- Rakhine, Myanmar
- Main Characters
- Hla and Nyo Nyo
- Ethnic Groups
- Buddhist and Rohingya
- Subject
- Healthcare and ethnic conflict
- Event
- Military coup in 2021