A Million Threads (2006)

Every year on a full moon night in November, thirty women gather at Shwe Phone Pwint Pagoda in the Pazundaung district of Myanmar’s former capital Yangon to take part in a competition known as Matho Thingan. Their task is to weave the finest robes for the temple’s Buddha images. All robes must be finished by dawn otherwise they are considered ‘stale’. Cheered on by large crowds and an orchestra of pulsating drums and high-pitched oboes, the teams of dedicated female competitors work the handlooms frenziedly back and forth in a feat that celebrates Buddha’s own foster mother, Gautami, who is said to have woven her son a robe in a single day.

Director: Thu Thu Shein
Genre: Documentary
Runtime: 15 min
Release Date:
Editing: Thu Thu Shein
Language: Burmese
Original Language: en
More Films by Director: Thu Thu Shein
More Films in Genre: Documentary

Frequently Asked Questions

What is A Million Threads about?
Every year on a full moon night in November, thirty women gather at Shwe Phone Pwint Pagoda in the Pazundaung district of Myanmar’s former capital Yangon to take part in a competition known as Matho Thingan. Their task is to weave the finest robes for the temple’s Buddha images. All robes must be finished by dawn otherwise they are considered ‘stale’. Cheered on by large crowds and an orchestra of pulsating drums and high-pitched oboes, the teams of dedicated female competitors work the handlooms frenziedly back and forth in a feat that celebrates Buddha’s own foster mother, Gautami, who is said to have woven her son a robe in a single day.
Who directed A Million Threads?
A Million Threads was directed by Thu Thu Shein.
How long is A Million Threads?
A Million Threads has a runtime of 15m (15 minutes).
What genre is A Million Threads?
A Million Threads is a Documentary film.