Midwives

Hla is the sharp-tongued Buddhist owner of a basic medical clinic in the remote province of Rakhine. Her apprentice Nyo Nyo is a Muslim Rohingya woman. The duo, despite their differences, are begrudgingly close. As violence against the Rohingya community increases, Hla is criticised for accepting Muslim patients. So, Nyo Nyo, despite a lack of formal training and juggling the needs of a young family, decides to set up a makeshift clinic of her own – against Hla’s advice. Director Snow Hnin Ei Hliang’s remarkable documentary, filmed in her hometown as ethnic violence in the country escalated, deftly captures Hla and Nyo Nyo’s prickly but resilient relationship.