A Voice in Exile. A Song for Resistance.
Help us bring Zarni’s story and Myanmar’s struggle to the world
After fleeing Myanmar’s brutal 2021 military coup, a legendary Burmese rock star rebuilds his life in the U.S. While navigating exile, grief, and survival, he plans the biggest concert of his life to support the resistance back home with the hope of one day returning to a free Myanmar.
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Mission Statement
Songs They Buried is a story of music, memory, and resistance. Through the lens of a rock icon forced into exile, this film reveals the emotional cost of dictatorship and the power of art o fight back.B sou're not only helping us tell Zarni’s story, you're also supporing a broader fight for democracy and giving voice to a people the world has forgotten.
The Story
In 2021, Myanmar’s military staged a violent coup, overthrowing the democratically elected government under false claims of voter fraud. The coup sparked nationwide protests, met with brutal crackdowns. Over 50,000 people have been killed, and more than three million displaced.
Among those targeted was Zarni, lead singer of one of Myanmar’s most iconic rock bands. Once celebrated for his revolutionary songs, Zarni became an enemy of the state. When the military labeled him a traitor, he was forced to flee leaving behind his home, career, and family to avoid imprisonment or death. Stranded on the Thailand-Myanmar border, Zarni lived in limbo, but he refused to be silenced.
Eventually resettled in the U.S., Zarni took a job as an Amazon delivery driver. He spoke no English and had no roadmap but he still had his music. Determined to fight from exile, he formed a new band and began touring across the U.S., raising funds for resistance groups through underground concerts.
But freedom in America doesn’t erase the trauma of exile. As Zarni grapples with grief, uncertainty, and harsh immigration realities, the central question lingers.
“How do you keep fighting for a country you can no longer return to?”
Why This Film?
This film tells the story of Myanmar’s fight for freedom—and one musician’s resistance through art. After the 2021 military coup, peaceful protests were met with brutal force: over 50,000 killed, 20,000 jailed, and 3.5 million displaced. As civil war unfolds and global attention fades, exiled rock star Zarni uses his music to keep the spirit of his homeland alive.
The People Behind the Film
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R Zarni
Rock legend and activist
Fled Myanmar after being charged with treason for supporting peaceful protests.
Now in exile with his wife and children, using music to fundraise and amplify the resistance.
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R Zarni’s wife – Quiet strength behind the scenes
Once a famous actress, now manages Zarni's career while raising three children in a foreign land.
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Kharra
Kharra – Actor, activist, and ally
Forced into exile like Zarni, now supports the concerts and brings the message of Myanmar’s struggle to the stage.
Why Now?
As the global spotlight fades, the violence in Myanmar continues. Refugee artists like Zarni are risking everything to keep the resistance alive through their art. This film captures a rare moment in time—one that could be lost without your support.
Now is the moment to amplify Zarni’s voice, and by extension, the voices of millions of Burmese people whose stories remain buried.
What We’ve Done So Far
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The film has been greenlit by the USC School of Cinematic Arts.
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We’ve secured the concert venue for September.
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Musicians from across the country will travel to perform and be filmed.
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We’ve begun pre-production and secured access to key characters and locations.
Project Timeline
June – July 2025
Location research and preliminary outreach
Late August – September 2025
Principal photography
July 2025
Fundraising and partnership development
October – November 2025
Post-production: editing, sound, and color
August 2025
Location scouting and test shoot
December 2025
Final screening and festival submissions
Budget Breakdown ($12000 Total)
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***Every dollar you contribute helps bring this important story to life and ensures that the songs once silenced will be heard around the world.***
Meet the Team
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Kiki Kuhakan
DIRECTOR
Kiki Kuhakan is a multi-award-winning journalist and filmmaker with over a decade of experience at Reuters and BBC. Born on the Thailand-Myanmar border, her work focuses on stories of displacement, resistance, and human rights. She is currently pursuing her MFA at USC’s School of Cinematic Arts, specializing in documentary directing and producing. -
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Uhoman April Moltok
PRODUCER
Uhoman Moltok is a Nigerian filmmaker passionate about emotionally resonant stories centered on African women. Inspired by Ousmane Sembene and Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, she brings nuance and depth to her work. She is currently an MFA candidate at USC’s School of Cinematic Arts, focusing on writing, directing, and producing. -
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Shreya Jha
PRODUCER
Shreya Jha is a filmmaker from Ahmedabad, India, currently pursuing her MFA in Film & TV at USC. She has made over 10 short films, including a BAFTA-longlisted project. An alum of the Academy Gold Rising program, she interned at Mandalay Entertainment and recently produced the short Blue Top for Oak Street Pictures. -
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Andrew Bansal
DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY
Andrew Bansal is a Los Angeles-based cinematographer from Colorado. He earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Colorado in 2021 and is currently pursuing an MFA in Film & Television Production at USC’s School of Cinematic Arts. His work blends naturalistic lighting with emotionally driven storytelling.
"Please use your liberty to promote ours."
— Aung San Suu Kyi