A Myanmar film has taken the top prize at one of Europe’s most prestigious cinema events, marking a breakthrough moment for the country’s emerging film industry. “Fruit Gathering”, directed by Aung Phyoe, won the Crystal Globe at the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival in the Czech Republic on Saturday. Co‑produced by Myanmar, the Czech Republic and France, the film tells the story of a tender yet forbidden romance between two young women working in a textile factory in Yangon. Festival organisers praised the film’s “captivating rhythm that oscillates between tenderness and harshness”, highlighting its exploration of how women’s desires endure in a society where same‑sex relationships remain socially unacceptable. The film, which shares its title with a poetry collection by Rabindranath Tagore, is Aung Phyoe’s feature debut. The 60th edition of the Karlovy Vary festival also honoured several international stars. US actor Dustin Hoffman, 88, received a Crystal Globe for his outstanding contribution to world cinema, joining French actress Juliette Binoche and American cinematographer Robert Richardson in receiving the same accolade. Held in the spa city of Karlovy Vary from 3 to 11 July, the festival screened 179 films across 472 showings, selling more than 132,000 tickets. For Myanmar, the recognition of “Fruit Gathering” is significant. The film’s quiet portrayal of queer longing and friendship offers a rare cinematic lens on contemporary life in Yangon, while its international co‑production underscores growing collaboration between Myanmar’s filmmakers and global partners. The award places Aung Phyoe among a new generation of directors bringing Myanmar stories to international audiences, and signals that despite political turmoil at home, the country’s creative voices are finding space — and acclaim — on the world stage. -2026-07-13
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