In fact, as Boorman stresses, "BEYOND RANGOON" is really about three formidable women. First, there is the character Laura, who must travel a great distance, emotionally as well as geographically, to redeem herself. Second, there is the actress Patricia Arquette, who does an incredible job in conveying Laura's journey. And then, hovering above them both, there is Aung San Suu Kyi." Though she is only shown in one pivotal scene in "BEYOND RANGOON," what Aung San Suu Kyi stands for informs every aspect of the film. Even after Laura's story has ended, and she decides to stay on to help the Burmese refugees to whom she has grown so close, Boorman reminds us of that other woman with a legend on the screen that reads as follows:
In 1990, Aung San Suu Kyi's Democratic Party won an overwhelming
victory but the military regime refused to hand over power. They have
held her under house arrest in Rangoon since 1989. Separated from
her husband and two sons, she refuses to go into exile, and remains
a symbol of hope for her people.
She was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1991.
