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Don't Fence Me In: Major Mary and The Karen Refugees from Burma

Ruth Gumnit

Don't Fence Me In
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Since 1962, Burma has been ruled by a military junta. Life has deteriorated markedly for its citizens. Despite its former prosperity and its rich resources, it was voted least developed nation by the UN in 1987, and human rights atrocities continue to prevail. Forced from their homes by the government, more than 100,000 people live in refugee camps along the border between Burma and Thailand; hundreds of thousands more hide in jungles on the Burma side. They are the Karen people, one of the largest ethnic groups in Burma. 

Don't Fence Me In chronicles the life of 70-year-old freedom fighter Major Mary On and her people's struggle for self-determination. Mary explains how the Karen are fighting for their very survival; the Burmese military's goal is “to wipe the Karen away so if you want to see them you'll have to go see them in the museum. See just an image or picture.” Her charismatic storytelling is accompanied by rare, clandestine footage smuggled out of the Karen refugee camps.

She illuminates the plight of the Karen still inside Burma, having little food and hiding in the jungle, yet proving remarkably resilient. While the Karen have lost their land, their way of life, and many of those who lived and fought beside them for independence, they have not lost their ties to a rich and beautiful history that transcends their present day despair. The film reveals the Karen refugees' spirit and determination to survive as political and historical forces conspire against them. Don't Fence Me In is an eloquent and moving chronicle of human rights abuses that must finally be brought to the attention of the global community.

"Deeply moving and hauntingly beautiful, Don't Fence Me In... tells a universal story of struggle against oppression and the creativity and courage that inspire people to make meaning of their lives, as their most basic rights - including the right to live - are systematically violated." — Ellen Bruno, filmmaker of the award-winning documentary Sacrifice: The Story of Child Prostitutes from Burma

"Don't Fence Me In... provides a steppingstone for discussion and study in Asian studies, sociology, women's studies. It is highly recommended." — Educational Media Reviews Online, Karen Hartman, Rutgers University

"A good introduction to issues concerning Burma's indigenous peoples. It also provides a useful picture of the day-to-day lives of refugees from one of the world's longest running conflicts." – Visual Anthropology

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Don't Fence Me In: Major Mary and The Karen Refugees from Burma


Producer/Director/Writer/Camera

Ruth Gumnit


Editor, Writer

Gail Huddleson


Editing, Producing and Writing Consultant

Ellen Bruno


Sound Design, Sound Post Production

Jeremiah Moore


Additional Sound Design

Gail Huddleson


Editorial Consultant

Nathaniel Dorsky


Additional Editing

Sapana Sakya


Assistant Editors

Ryan Shake, John Neely, Pema Chogkhan


Translation

Ne Min, Bunny Kacher


Producing Assistance

Lindsay Sablosky, Shiu-chin Linda Hsu, T. Kebo Drew, Marguerite Salmon


Music performed by

The Thai Elephant Orchestra Composed by Dave Soldier/Richard Lair, Mulatta Records, pub. Rigglius Music, ASCAP

Additional Sounds and Music: Rick Heizman, Jeremiah Moore, Pema Chogkhan


Archival Footage

Images Asia, Ellen Bruno, Burma Border Consortium, U.S. National Archives and Records


Fiscal Sponsorship

Film Arts Foundation


Funding

Nu Lambda Trust, Pacific Pioneer Fund, Serpent Source for Women


Online Editor, BAVC

Heather Lyon Weaver


Titles, BAVC

Janel Quirante


Postproduction Supervisor, BAVC

Michella Rivera-Gravage


Thanks To:

Marguerite Salmon, Jeanne Hallacy, Paul and Sue Lotke, Daniel Gumnit, Linda Kuusisto, the Gumnit/Lotke Clan, Valerie Lee, Gail Silva, Madeleine Lim, Laurie Maund, David Nicolson Freidberg, Dr.Siribenja Khowadhtana, Natalie Kraitrakul, Saninuj Sawasdikosol, Laurie Lazer, Darryl Smith, Sam Kalayanee, Sally Larsen, Charlie Wehrenberg, Mark Houts, Lisa Ginsberg, Laurie Cahn, Barbara Donovan, Susan Moorehead, Kris Handwerk, Andy Wiskes, and Kore MacKenzie.


Special Thanks To:

Major Mary On, the people of Huay Kalok, Umphium and Mae La refugee camps and the many Karen people who helped so much but for their safety could not be named.

Supported by: