ASIA 7 DAYS / Archives

Jul. 22, Sun.

Aung San Suu Kyi: Portrait of a Young Woman

Myanmar's pro-democracy leader and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Aung San Suu Kyi is now at the center of global attention. She made her first visit abroad in 24 years last month, and attended her first regular session of Myanmar's parliament at the start of July. But her private life remains little known. A movie being released around the world, and a photo exhibition that opened recently in Tokyo give some clues to the woman Myanmarese call "the Lady."

The movie depicts a deep love and bond between Aung San Suu Kyi and her late British husband, who devotedly supported her activities. Our interviews with film director Luc Besson and leading actress Michelle Yeoh offer insight into the film, and the subject's turbulent life.

The photo exhibit presents 30 previously unpublicized pictures, most of them on her days as a wife and mother. The pictures are provided by art historian Natsuo Miyashita, who has been a close family friend since Aung San Suu Kyi lived in Britain. Miyashita talks to us about the ordinary side of an extraordinary woman. We also hear from Myanmar expert Yuki Akimoto, who will talk about the problems the pro-democracy movement faces now that its leader has joined the political system.

In other news:
- Kim Jong Un takes the title of "marshal"; dismisses his guardian
- Workers set fire to Suzuki Indian subsidiary
- East Timor PM Gusmao to stay in office