Somewhere in Myanmar is a forest rich in amber and controlled by the Kachin Independence Army (KIA). Most of its inhabitants work in a mine, digging the earth night and days in the hope of finding the precious ore that will get them out of poverty. But on top of the excruciating hardship of the work, they also have to fear an attack from the army.
The documentary follows the life of Ah-Tian's family over the course of 7 years and also shows the changes in Myanmar, the dangerous work at the jade mines, and the big rains every year which compel Ah Tian to come back home to look after his family. – MUBI
In Hpakant, Myanmar, poor young people are numerous. Some of them engage in drug trafficking and make a living out of it. Some of them choose to leave Hpakant in pursuit of love. Some of them stay in Hpakant and dream that the jade hidden in the mountains might be the hope of improving their future lives; thus they often sing this song: “…before the best of luck comes, don’t underestimate we, jade miners…”.
