In Exile is an autobiographical documentary by Myanmar’s Naing Tin Win. Having made a video clip of protests against the authoritarian regime in 2006, Naing was forced to escape the political oppression of his own country and cross into Thailand, where he meets some fellow citizens in the same situation. Having emigrated to Thailand illegally to avoid an economy on the brink of disaster, they barely survive the harsh circumstances in which they find themselves, fighting the despair of living almost like modern slaves. It was this Naing decided to record. Candid, honest narration and reflection are the film’s strong points, as Naing empathizes with the immigrants’ circumstances while not easily identifying himself with them. When the authoritarian regime collapses and the movement for democracy stimulated, Naing is able to return to Myanmar. Unlike Naing, an urban intellectual and political refugee, immigrants from the countryside— economic refugees—can’t return. Politics can’t make any difference. Naing candidly reveals the present plight of Myanmar, which has long suffered colonization and dictatorship, but without losing its spirit of optimism. (CHO Hyeyoung)