I’ve long been an admirer of Aung San Suu Kyi, the pro-democracy leader in Burma (Myanmar) who was held for nearly 18 years under house arrest by the military junta who took over the country in a successful coup attempt in 1962.

Last evening I had a chance to see “The Lady”, director Luc Besson’s highly engrossing retelling of her story.

If you have an opportunity to see “The Lady”, don’t miss it.

Michelle Yeoh is remarkably good and believable playing Suu Kyi.  The dual focus storyline is how Suu Kyi, the daughter of assassinated general Aung San who helped lead Burma to independence int he 1940s,  rises to national prominence in the face of student led protests in 1988.  The story is also a love story of sacrifice as we see the tremendous burden her love for her country put on her supportive English husband and her two sons each of whom had to spend years apart from their mother while she was under house arrest.

This top-notch storytelling also reminded me of the blessings of freedom that we enjoy each day which we should not take for granted.

Fighting for democracy is worth it.  But successfully fighting for democracy using non-violence and steel courage in the face of one of the most repressive regimes on earth is all the more admirable.

See the movie!