Myanmar Spring Chronicle – October 31 Overview
(MoeMaKa, November 1, 2025)
The Junta’s Intolerant Election
The recent arrests of six well-known film directors and actors within just a few days have shocked the public. The junta detained acclaimed director Mite Tee, actors Kyaw Win Htut, and comedian Ohn Dine (a.k.a. Zaw Myint) on October 29, citing violations of the Election Security Law. Two days later, more arrests followed — film directors Thet Lwin (a.k.a. Zambu Thet Htun Lwin) and Aung Chan Luu (a.k.a. Aye Chan Aung) were also taken into custody.
These arrests came shortly after the release of a propaganda short film promoting the junta’s election and criticizing the Spring Revolution. The film, launched as part of the junta’s state-run propaganda campaign, provoked a strong backlash on social media. Entitled “Those Who Try to Distort History,” the short featured numerous popular actors, prompting calls among Myanmar netizens and the diaspora to boycott and denounce the performers.
It remains unclear whether the actors participated under coercion or voluntarily, as none have publicly spoken about possible pressure from authorities. According to unnamed sources cited by local media, a senior official from the Ministry of Information had reportedly met with members of the film industry in Yangon and told them they would be expected to assist in election-related propaganda activities.
On Myanmar social media, however, public anger has surged — regardless of the circumstances, calls to boycott and ostracize those involved in the propaganda film are growing. Videos are circulating that juxtapose past footage of the same actors participating in anti-coup protests in 2021 with new clips from the junta’s election propaganda film, exposing a painful contrast.
In the early months after the coup, many celebrities from the film and music industries were arrested for joining protests, with some later released while others received prison sentences of up to several years. Some who were freed have since appeared at junta-organized events, such as Thingyan (Water Festival) ceremonies, likely under pressure to maintain their livelihoods or avoid re-arrest.
As anti-junta groups and activists call for renewed boycotts of junta-aligned entertainers, the junta’s security apparatus has reportedly been closely monitoring social media accounts of other artists who were not involved in the propaganda film. Even mild or indirect actions — such as liking or commenting on posts by foreign-based media outlets covering the propaganda campaign — have drawn scrutiny. This surveillance has already led to a new wave of arrests of directors and actors.
This pattern suggests that the junta is especially focused on monitoring artists, influencers, and public figures, more so than ordinary citizens or political activists. The regime seems prepared to arrest anyone the moment they make even a minor mistake or post a subtle dissenting comment. The situation highlights the regime’s extreme intolerance: it cannot bear even the smallest expression of disapproval or skepticism about the upcoming election.
Over nearly five years since the coup, the junta has imprisoned tens of thousands of people from all walks of life — including civil servants, doctors, teachers, writers, journalists, astrologers, and activists — for expressing anti-regime views or supporting the resistance in nonviolent ways. Sentences have ranged from a few months to five years, and while some were later freed under general amnesties, thousands remain behind bars.
As the election date approaches, it is expected that more arrests will occur under the Election Security Law, which criminalizes criticism of the vote. Nearly 70 people have already been detained under this law so far.
For those living abroad who oppose the military dictatorship, it is increasingly vital to raise awareness about digital security and online safety among people still inside Myanmar — to help protect them from unnecessary risk, surveillance, and repression in the coming months.