A Special Episode - By Thailands Most Cinematic Videographers

[8milesfromhome]

'8 Miles from Home' is proud to present a very special episode. The Cinematic Documentary of when Irma El-haj returned to Burma after almost half a century away.

'44 Years from Kamayut' is a special episode of '8 miles from home'. Documenting the journey of Jmayels mother 'Irma El-haj' as she returns to her home town & country of birth; Kamayut township in Yangon, Burma.

Having left Myanmar 44 years ago during a time of conflict and not returning since, the trip was long overdue.

She embarked on this journey to rediscover the home she had stored in memories from almost half a century ago. Memories of a good childhood with her mother & father growing up in '3rd street' in Kamayut. Losing her Ruby ring as a teenager in the pond near to her home, and a vivid picture of the 3 year old local boy 'Bpoun Saa' that used to eat breakfast at her home completely naked.

During her stay with 2 local families in Yangon, she met Cho Cho, Tin Tin and their relatives whom are contacts of friends she knows in the UK. They welcomed Irma with the greatest hospitality and showed her the Yangon that it is today. She then met with Lydia, a young girl from Bethel who showed her the way to her home street in Kamayut.

After 4 days in Yangon, Irma ventured north to see the parts of the country she had never seen before. Namely the ancient temples of Bagan. Watching the sunsets with Badru, Jmayel & Sacha El-haj, they all had time to reflect on the amazing journey they had experienced together as a family...

This cinematic account of Irmas return to Burma is dedicated to Doris Grace Hannay. Irmas mother, who can be seen briefly in '8 miles from home episode 1'. Physically unable to make the journey herself, this movie will allow her to see the world she left behind so many years ago.

We hope that you will enjoy watching this emotional journey.

To see previous episodes of 8 miles from home, visit our travel blog at 8milesfromhome.com

- Jmayel & Sacha

[JimsKnight]

Why 8 miles from home?

Wouldn't it be more like 8,000 miles or some-such number?

[wonderer777]

Very very impressiv... Thank you very much!

[twinpin]

Thank's for posting. Nice story. Made a refreshing change from a lot of the rubbish on TV

[deesquared]

Awesome job as usual! One question though. I was under the impression that one could not bring cameras into Burma and that foreigners were required to have a government escort to move around Yangoon. The Acadamy Award winning documentary "Burma VJ" documented these facts extensively. How did you do it?

[sunshine51]

Jmayel & Sacha...

Brilliant!

[BookMan]

It's a nice story...I hadn't watched any since #2.

Just one thing, for me. Why are all the scenes (besides direct talking to camera) in slow mo? After a few minutes the novelty wears thin

[blakegeee]

It's a nice story...I hadn't watched any since #2.

Just one thing, for me. Why are all the scenes (besides direct talking to camera) in slow mo? After a few minutes the novelty wears thin

I thought it was very well done, and didn't find it "wearing thin" in any respect! But that's just my personal opinion unlike the fact posted above...

[BookMan]

It's a nice story...I hadn't watched any since #2.

Just one thing, for me. Why are all the scenes (besides direct talking to camera) in slow mo? After a few minutes the novelty wears thin

I thought it was very well done, and didn't find it "wearing thin" in any respect! But that's just my personal opinion unlike the fact posted above...

[8milesfromhome]

It's a nice story...I hadn't watched any since #2.

Just one thing, for me. Why are all the scenes (besides direct talking to camera) in slow mo? After a few minutes the novelty wears thin

They aren't. Some are, but not all.

[BookMan]

It's a nice story...I hadn't watched any since #2.

Just one thing, for me. Why are all the scenes (besides direct talking to camera) in slow mo? After a few minutes the novelty wears thin

They aren't. Some are, but not all.

Not the scene where the mum talks about going home..but basically everything else...

(and don't get me started on the music! )

[Tigger01]

Excellent film, very moving!!

[FrisoPee]

As a filmmaker, I enjoyed seeing this!

The cinematography is of high-class with some shots standing out as extremely well lighted.

I think you need to try and find a better balance between your cut, story and visual story telling. This feels unnatural sometimes as I feel the story is a bit 'over edited' I know it's a nice way to add more drama with these editing tricks and using somewhat dramatic music, but in the end I feel that was too much. It works on the slow cinematic travelings you do (on a slider?) but there are some parts where there are so many cuts, that shots don't connect to me.

Amazing story, and the dream of any filmmaker coming true on having that meeting between the women and the 'little boy'!

Great job!

[Metapod]

Awesome job as usual! One question though. I was under the impression that one could not bring cameras into Burma and that foreigners were required to have a government escort to move around Yangoon. The Acadamy Award winning documentary "Burma VJ" documented these facts extensively. How did you do it?

Not true.

I've been to Burma and Yangoon and didn't have any escort and took plenty of photos.