Burma VJ: Reporting from a Closed Country

Los Angeles Times Kevin Thomas

Filmmaking at its most fearless, with Ostergaard creating a suspenseful, harrowing account of his original key subject, known only as "Joshua."

Empire Sam Toy

Captivating and essential viewing.

Village Voice Ella Taylor

There was no happy ending, but if Burma VJ's account of the efficacy of dictatorship threatens to crush you, the sight of a sturdy young back disappearing into the mountains, returning from a Thailand hideout for another round of bearing witness, should make your heart burst.

The New York Times A.O. Scott

A rich, thought-provoking film.

Austin Chronicle Marc Savlov

It's the truth, unshackled and captured against all odds, and it's one of the most powerful documentary films I have ever seen, period.

Boston Globe Ty Burr

Burma VJ’ retorts that eyes and ears are everywhere in our ever-tightening global communications mesh. Voices, too, and they get heard. The generals and the ayatollahs have every right to be scared.

New York Daily News Elizabeth Weitzman

Anyone who doubts that a single individual can make a political impact should see Anders Østergaard’s gripping documentary.

The Hollywood Reporter Daniel Eagan

In preparing Burma VJ, Ostergaard decided to reconstruct some scenes with scripted dialogue -- in part to explain events, but also to protect the participants. This material, shot in darkened offices and apartments, feels both accurate and necessary.

Washington Post Desson Thomson

Thanks to the new guerrilla narrative, the world has a constant flow of images to file in its collective consciousness. And that camera-testable accountability slowly becomes a global civic right that fulfills the noblest purpose of journalism -- to bring truth to power.

The Globe and Mail (Toronto) Michael Posner

It's a very sad film to watch.

San Francisco Chronicle Walter Addiego

The most compelling footage was taken during the uprising of August and September 2007, which put a bad scare into the government because a large number of Buddhist monks played a prominent role.

Variety Leslie Felperin

Has some style as well as compelling content.

New York Post V.A. Musetto

The news footage, so powerful on its own, needs no enhancement. The dramatized scenes only slow the film's momentum.