Kota Kinabalu: Award-winning charity film “Myittar/Unbroken Ties” from Myanmar will have its Asian premiere this evening (Tuesday) at the Kota Kinabalu International Film Festival’s (KKIFF) Cinebalu Screenings at the City Cineplex, City Mall, here.
The film is directed by renowned filmmaker Graham Streeter and Academy Award winner Grace Swe Zin Htaik and produced by Mandalay Productions (Myanmar) Co Ltd.
Executive Producer Peter K Yap said the heartfelt drama, starring Academy Award winners Lumin and Htun Aeindra Bo, alongside Hollywood actress Brittney Powell and a talented cast of Burmese American actors, offers a profoundly resonant cinematic experience that speaks to the struggles of immigrants, orphans, and marginalised communities.
“We are thrilled to bring ‘Unbroken Ties’ to Asian audiences through the prestigious Kota Kinabalu International Film Festival,” said Peter.
“This story of resilience, compassion, and human connection is meant to inspire audiences from all walks of life.”
Set in the 1990s, “Unbroken Ties” tells the story of Min, an orphaned Burmese man who secures a US diversity visa and embarks on a life-changing journey to America.
As he adjusts to his new life, Min unearths long-hidden secrets that challenge his sense of identity and belonging.
The film explores themes of immigration, family, LGBTQIA+ representation, and the unyielding strength of marginalised communities.
The journey of “Unbroken Ties” has been nothing short of remarkable. From its early development in 2014 as a novel to overcoming production hurdles, including visa challenges and a global pandemic, the film has emerged stronger, winning accolades across international festivals.
“Unbroken Ties” serves a greater purpose beyond the screen as part of the “Hope for All Orphans” project.
A portion of the film’s proceeds will go toward supporting orphaned children in Myanmar through the Mary K Yap Foundation, a US-based non-profit organisation that has been dedicated to improving the lives of orphaned children globally for over two decades.
The Foundation has spearheaded impactful campaigns such as Each-One-Teach-One, NourishHope, H20CleanWater, and LifeLine, which focus on providing education, nourishment, clean water, and essential resources to underprivileged communities.
The “Unbroken Ties” project aligns with the Mary K Yap Foundation’s commitment to making a lasting impact on orphaned children’s lives through charitable initiatives.
Aside from “Unbroken Ties”, a short fantasy/suspense film from Taiwan, “A Misfit Tiger”, will also be shown this evening.
The film tells the story of a Malaysian father, Beng Soon, who comes to Taiwan to investigate the disappearance of his son, Kah Choon.
During the process, he gradually realises his lack of understanding towards Kah Choon while discovering the changes in his son.
Screenings start at 8pm, and all films have English subtitles. Visit the official website kkiff.com for the complete festival schedule.
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