OFFICIALS at the Myanmar Motion Picture Organisation (MMPO) are urging filmmakers to add foreign-language subtitles to their work to help local films get more international exposure.

“Films must be subtitled to enter the global market, and it’s the best way to develop an international fan base for movies from Myanmar,” said U Aung Soe Oo, vice chairman of international relations at the organisation.

U Aung Soe Oo and MMPO chairman U Kyi Soe Tun said the organisation would provide assistance to filmmakers who wanted to subtitle their movies.
Although the Myanmar movie industry has been thriving for more than 60 years, only 10 films have been subtitled in that time.

U Aung Soe Oo attributed the low number to the high cost of subtitling.
“It costs K3 million to K4 million to subtitle a film, which is hard to make back in a short time, even if the film is shown at festivals,” he said. “But there are long-term benefits like getting more fans and international exposure. Showing a film at an international festival is invaluable.”

He said filmmakers who want to subtitle their films must supply the MMPO with a script of dialogue in the movie.

“We will discuss the subtitling procedure with them, including cost and what language they want the subtitles in,” U Aung Soe Oo said. “Then we’ll find translators for whatever language the filmmaker wants.”