I just finished watching They Call it Myanmar: Lifting The Curtain, and it was very enlightening to me.
Before give my review, let me say: I read a few other reviews, and while they gave low scores, there are points they mentioned which I'd like to discuss.
My major point is the mention(s) of 'poverty;' in this documentary - and others - on similar topics, is they point out the people living in 'abject poverty.' What they mean is they're living in a DOLLAR poverty.
While watching this - and mentally comparing Myanmar to North Korea (the 1st most 'isolated country'), I couldn't help but notice the very obvious distinctions.
The North Koreans were visibly suffering - from both malnutrition, and fear - of their government.
Myanmar, by contrast, the people are (apparently) well-fed. While they do not discuss their (no argument from me) 'repressive' government, the overall emotional state of the populace is the direct opposite of North Koreans.
I feel that the mention of 'poverty' is more akin to what us westerners believe constitute as 'freedom;' our DOLLAR power.
I saw a country full of people who have not (yet) been corrupted with the jack-hammer of us Westerners - our 'gift' of GAP stores, 'REALTY TV,' credit cards, et al.
Instead, I saw a country's people who are striving for KNOWLEDGE - who's SPIRIT had NOT been broken.
While I DO believe that things need to be fixed, I DON'T wish for the Burmese to have their souls 'sold to the devil' - their beautiful society turned into yet another bland, tourist spot for westerners.
I would wish they could have better universities, better government, but, NOT our western 'values.' Saying all this, I found They Call It Myanmar both a fascinating look at a country on the threshold, and it's amazing people.
The question is: a 'threshold' to what?