Frank: How did the film "My Buddha is Punk" come about? What was the goal of the film?
KK: The documentary “My Buddha is Punk“ was filmed in 2012. The director Andreas Hartmann from Berlin, Germany, contacted me. Andreas wanted to make a documentary about punks in Myanmar. In particular, he wanted to showcase something about the Rebel Riot Band and their community.
After 2010, there were political reforms in Myanmar. Andreas Hartmann wanted to show this situation in relation to the development of punk. We, members of the Rebel Riot Band, consulted. Do we want to participate? Is it okay to accept this? Is it uncomfortable? Could it become uncomfortable?
After discussing these questions, everyone agreed. This documentary could create a connection between Burmese punks and international punks.
That’s how the film came about.
Punks from other countries should learn more about the state of politics and punk culture in Myanmar. We wanted to spark curiosity about Myanmar, about us, and about punk culture. We wanted to promote exchange through this.
Frank: How and when did punk come into your life?
KK: Around 2004, I liked alternative, modern rock, and nu metal. At that time, I also listened to some pop-punk. In our country, there is a black market for smuggled CDs, DVDs, and a lot of porn from China. That’s where I bought the DVD of the Sex Pistols. This DVD changed a lot. From then on, punk became much more interesting to me.
That’s how punk came into my life.
Frank: What does punk mean to you?
KK: Punk is a rebellious lifestyle for me. We in Myanmar live in an old culture or society that has been broken for many years.
Obey the commands.
Follow the rules.
The development of a personal identity, a personal lifestyle is not encouraged and is not the goal of this development.
Punk has encouraged me to be myself, and I have gained individual freedom through punk. The power of punk music also gives me strength. Punk means a lot to my life. I can hardly put it into words.
Frank: Buddhism is deeply rooted in Myanmar's society. How can punk and Buddhism be reconciled?
KK: Buddhism is not a religion for me.
Buddhism is a philosophy for me, like the idea of anarchism. When Buddhism is defined as a religion, it becomes a power politics and leads to oppression and control. People are made to obey commands. They will demand donations. All religions force people to follow like sheep. That is frightening. Then it becomes oppression. This is the concept of Buddhism in Myanmar. The religious slavery system still exists. This system has been rooted in Myanmar, in society for many years. Politicians and military dictators use religion as a weapon and try to oppress people. In fact, Buddhist philosophies offer self-liberation.
Buddhist philosophies provide peace. They grant self-confidence. For me, it is even similar to the DIY culture of punk. But most people still see Buddhism as a religion. Therefore, they lose themselves in this religious slavery system and become oppressed. They are still being lied to. They are used by the authorities. For me, it can be a combination of punk and Buddhist philosophy.
Liberation. Self-confidence.
Self-confidence, agility, and peace can be combined.
Frank: What is the punk scene like in Myanmar? Do you have meeting points or places where punk bands can play?
KK: The punk scene here is small. In the past, there was a meeting point in the center of Yangon (note: the largest city in Myanmar with over 5 million inhabitants). Since the military coup, this meeting point no longer exists. But we have the opportunity to use a community space/neighborhood space. There we can meet and hang out.
There is no place for punk bands here!
There are some bars where bands play, but punk bands do not play there. Because these venues belong to big capitalists who support the military dictators.
We are against these places. If we want to hold events, we do it secretly in a small room in a music studio with about 30 people. Sometimes the French Institute in Myanmar helps us connect with bands. We don’t have many events. I can only play one or two concerts a year.
Frank: How many punk bands are there, to your knowledge, in Myanmar? How big is the punk scene?
KK: I can only say that there are about 5 or 6 bands.
The punk scene is small.
Especially after the military coup, some punks went into the jungle and joined the People's Defense Forces (PDF) and the armed revolution against the military dictator. Our former drummer is also there now. We are still in contact with him.
Frank: Myanmar is under military dictatorship. What is the situation for the people, especially for punks?
KK: It is no longer safe for anyone. Everyone is cautious. Anyone can be arrested at any time. Anyone can be killed. They do whatever they want. They do not care about human rights. The law does not concern them. They even kill children. Villages have been burned down. They have raped women. That’s why punks are also very cautious.
We no longer go out as a group like we used to.
Frank: What is the situation of the people and political participation currently in Myanmar?
KK: The people are still participating as much as possible in the revolution. That’s why the military has not been able to control all areas so far. The military coup was more than 2 years ago. I can see that it costs them a lot of strength and effort to control the country. That’s why they are now even more violent than before. They have become even more brutal. More and more people are being wrongfully arrested and tortured.
But the people have not given up on the revolution and are cooperating as best as they can, which is something to be proud of.
Frank: A few weeks ago, you were in Berlin. Did you attend punk rock shows or meet people from the punk scene in Berlin?
KK: Yes, of course. I went to some punk events. I met a lot of punk friends. When I go to other countries, the most important thing is to first meet people from the punk scene. They are our international brothers and sisters. They are always considered family.
Frank: Do you think it will be possible for you, for the Rebel Riot Band, to tour in Myanmar in the future?
KK: I really hope so. At some point, we would like to leave the country and tour internationally.
