
OnMay2,2008,thecycloneNargisragedoverthesouthofBurma,wreakingmassivedestructionandtakingthelivesofmorethan140,000people.InWesternnewsreports,themilitaryregime'sunwillingnesstoacceptforeignaidgotconsiderableattention.Nargis-WhenTimeStoppedBreathingisanaccountoftwoteamsofyoungBurmesefilmmakerswhowentintothebadlydevastatedAyeyarwaddyDeltaaweekafterthestormtoallowsurvivorstotelltheirstories.Ataleisurelypace,theimagesspeakforthemselves:awildernessofwaterandgreenerythatwouldbeparadisiacalifnotfortheravageoffallentrees,blown-awayhuts,andcollapsedhouses.Peopletalkaboutthelovedonestheylost:onemancouldnolongerholdontohiswifeandchildandwatchedthemgetsweptawaybythewater.Thereishardlyanyriceordrinkingwater,butpeoplearebuildingnewhutsallovertheplace.Fromthisbadlystrickenarea,thefilmmakersheadtoacitywheretherearemanyrefugees,andthenreturntothedeltawithpeoplewhoprefertheirdecimatedvillagetoanew,unknownplaceofrefuge.Monksattempttolendahandandleadaprayerforthedead