A Danish documentary following a young girl and her family through six years of conflict in Myanmar has had its world premiere at the Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival in Estonia on 12 November 2026.
The War We Carry, directed by Danish filmmaker Kaspar Astrup Schröder, was created in close cooperation with an anonymous filmmaker inside Myanmar, whose contribution helped make it possible to document the family’s experiences through years of political upheaval and civil war.
The identity of the local filmmaker has not been disclosed, highlighting the sensitive circumstances under which the documentary was made.
At the centre of the 98-minute film is Hninn, an 11-year-old girl living with her family in a remote rural area of Myanmar. When filming begins in 2019, she dreams of becoming a Buddhist nun.
Two years later, Myanmar’s military seizes power in a coup on 1 February 2021. As the country descends into widespread armed conflict, Hninn’s childhood is transformed.
Her family must learn to live with constant uncertainty, repeatedly moving between locations, seeking shelter and deciding whom they can trust.
Over six years, the filmmakers follow their attempts to find safety and rebuild their lives while holding on to the family relationships, religious beliefs and small moments of happiness that give them strength.
Filming a war from inside Myanmar
According to the Danish Film Institute, Schröder worked closely with the anonymous local filmmaker between 2019 and 2025, documenting life in a country that became increasingly difficult for independent journalists and filmmakers to work in.
The unusual collaboration allowed the documentary to portray the conflict through the daily experiences of one family rather than through military operations or political commentary.
The identity of the local collaborator remains undisclosed. The available production information does not explain the decision, but anonymity is particularly significant in a country where documenting political events can carry serious risks.
The film shows how the family draws strength from Buddhism and the belief in karma while confronting displacement, uncertainty and the consequences of war.
According to the Tallinn festival’s presentation, The War We Carry contains no battlefield scenes. Instead, it focuses on the lives of ordinary people, allowing the experiences of one family to reflect the suffering and resilience of a much larger population.
A personal story of survival and hope
The documentary premiered in the Doc@PÖFF International Competition at the 30th Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival.
Writing for the film website DMovies on 12 November, critic Eoghan Lyng praised its intimate portrayal of people attempting to preserve their humanity amid extraordinary circumstances.
The film also captures moments of affection, community and occasional joy, suggesting that even in a country devastated by war, ordinary life and human relationships continue.
Schröder is an award-winning Danish documentary director whose work frequently explores life in Asia. His previous films include The Invention of Dr. Nakamats (2009), Rent a Family Inc. (2012), Waiting for the Sun (2017) and Dear Tomorrow (2025).
The War We Carry was produced by Denmark’s Good Company Pictures, with co-production by The Why Foundation and Sweden’s Momento Film. The music was composed by Estonian musician Maarja Nuut.
For international audiences, the film offers an unusually intimate view of Myanmar’s continuing conflict. For Hninn and her family, however, the story is not primarily about politics or war.
It is about the struggle to find somewhere safe to live, to remain together and to preserve hope for the future.
And behind the camera, an unnamed filmmaker helped ensure that their experiences could be shared with the outside world.
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