Community members, advocates, filmmakers, and dignitaries gathered at the Bryan Brown Theatre in Bankstown on Sunday for a special press screening of Ray, a powerful film inspired by the true story of Burmese actress and democracy activist Htar Htet Htet.

Among those in attendance were The Hon. Julia Finn MP, Member for Granville, David Saliba MP, Member for Fairfield, and Councillor Rachelle Harika, Deputy Mayor of Canterbury-Bankstown, who joined members of the Burmese community and supporters in recognising the importance of sharing Myanmar’s ongoing story with Australian audiences.

Produced by Robert and Sophia Sarkis and directed by exiled Burmese filmmaker The Khit Nay, Ray follows the journey of Htar Htet Htet, a former national gymnast, actress, and beauty queen who left behind a successful career to join Myanmar’s Spring Revolution following the military coup of 2021.

After the screening, attendees heard from the film’s executive producers, director, and lead actress during a panel discussion that highlighted the inspiration behind the project and the ongoing struggle for democracy in Myanmar.

Speaking to guests, executive producer Sophia Sarkis explained that the project was never about commercial success, but about ensuring the stories of the Myanmar people continue to be heard.

“Personal stories make people feel in a way that statistics cannot,” she said. “This film represents the hopes, struggles, courage, and resilience of millions of people. We wanted audiences to connect with the human side of what is happening in Myanmar.”

Sophia also paid tribute to her husband and fellow executive producer, Robert Sarkis, for his unwavering support of her advocacy work and involvement in bringing the project to life. She described the film as a labour of love and a responsibility to help share the experiences of those affected by the ongoing crisis.

Robert Sarkis echoed those sentiments, expressing hope that the film would raise greater awareness of the challenges faced by the Burmese community and those still living under military rule.

Director The Khit Nay, speaking through a translator, described Ray as a collective achievement made possible through the dedication of Burmese artists working in exile. He explained that the film serves as a record of contemporary Myanmar and the realities experienced by its people.

“This is not just one person’s story,” he said. “Ray is a ray of hope for everyone fighting for democracy.”

The Khit Nay also spoke about the challenges of producing the film with limited resources, relying on a small team and volunteers committed to ensuring the story could be told despite the obstacles faced by artists living away from their homeland.

Htar Htet Htet, whose life story inspired the film, told attendees that Ray represents every individual who has continued fighting for democracy since the military coup.

“This film is about keeping the truth alive,” she said. “Many people have sacrificed everything. Some have given their lives. We want the world to know what happened and what is still happening in Myanmar.”

She reflected on the emotional challenge of revisiting deeply personal experiences through film, while also revealing that some of the footage featured in the production was captured by her during the early days of the revolution in 2021.

Speaking after the screening, the filmmakers shared further insights into the production process. They revealed that approximately 95 per cent of the story is based on Htar Htet Htet’s real-life experiences and was filmed in Melbourne with a small crew working under tight budgetary and logistical constraints.

Sophia Sarkis explained that the project relied heavily on volunteers and community support, with the team focused on impact rather than profit.

“We want people to feel with their heart,” she said. “Awareness is the most important thing. If people leave this film understanding even a small part of what the people of Myanmar have endured, then we have achieved our goal.”

Htar Htet Htet said one of her main motivations for participating in the project was to help the international community better understand the ongoing struggle for democracy in Myanmar.

She noted that while filming in Australia presented its own challenges, including having to manage many aspects of production preparation herself, the experience also allowed her to reconnect with her passion for acting and storytelling.

Despite the hardships endured by the people of Myanmar, she remained hopeful about the future.

“Our history has shown that people continue to fight for truth and democracy generation after generation,” she said. “One day, the truth shall prevail.”

The screening concluded with a question-and-answer session, giving audience members the opportunity to engage directly with the creative team and learn more about the film’s development, themes, and aspirations for international distribution.

More than just a film, Ray stands as a testament to the resilience of the Myanmar people and the determination of artists, activists, and communities to ensure their stories are seen, heard, and remembered. As the filmmakers continue their efforts to bring the production to wider audiences, they hope it will inspire greater awareness, compassion, and support for those still fighting for freedom and democracy in Myanmar.