Independent hailed for its film about Suu Kyi in prison

The Independent has been hailed for shining a light on the continued imprisonment of Aung San Suu Kyi by a brutal military regime in Myanmar.

- KATE DEVLIN

Human rights campaigner Bianca Jagger and Wild Swans author Jung Chang joined politicians, journalists and lawyers at the London screening of The Independent TV’s documentary Cancelled: The Rise and Fall of Aung San Suu Kyi.

The film looks at the life of the 79-year-old Nobel Peace Prize winner who has become a deeply divisive and controversial figure internationally after failing to speak out on her country’s extreme violence against its Rohingya Muslim minority.

It was described as a “rallying point” for the freedom of a woman seen as the “last hope” for the people of her country. Speaking afterwards, Ms Jagger said: “I think the most difficult issue is for people to have mercy on fallen heroes. Because she was a hero for many of us, including me.

“But we must do everything we can to see her released. This is the perfect film to launch a campaign calling for her freedom … I think this film will be the perfect rallying point to bring us all together and to demand that she be released.”

Ms Chang, who met Ms Suu Kyi on a number of occasions, said: “I greatly admire her. And I am full of sympathy for her, in solitary confinement. So of course I think the more people help her and draw attention to her plight the better.”

Ms Suu Kyi is believed to have spent long periods in solitary confinement since her arrest following a coup in February 2021 and faces 27 years in prison.