Reginald Dorman-Smith became Governor of Burma on 6 May 1941. He enjoyed his initial period in office and had admiration for the Burmese politicians he worked with (Taylor, 2004, 431). The Governor was in favour of self-government at a future date and under his administration Burmese politicians were given powers in all areas except defence, foreign affairs, finance, and control of the frontier areas (Taylor, 2004, 431)

In 1942 Japanese forces invaded Burma and forced the British to retreat from the country. Dorman-Smith’s administration operated in exile from Simla, India. It would be May 1945 before Rangoon, Burma’s largest city, was recaptured by Allied forces. Burma had faced the longest single military campaign of World War II. The military administration that took temporary control of the country reported that ‘We do not think it any exaggeration to say that no British possession has suffered so much damage’ (quoted in Collis, 1956, 253). Dorman-Smith argued that it would take a period of British rule, lasting between five and seven years, in order to rebuild the country (Ward Fay, 363-64)

In the wake of the liberation of Rangoon the British government issued a White Paper, which promised Burma a ‘status equal to that of the Dominions’ (quoted in Comstock, 1946, 239). This goal was laid out in stages. The British Governor’s period of direct rule was to last for three years; and then representatives of all parties would be asked to draw up a democratic constitution, which would need to be ratified by the British government. These measures were unsatisfactory to Burmese nationalists, who demanded greater clarity regarding the proposals in the White Paper and an earlier date for independence.

Dorman-Smith first returned to Rangoon on 16 October 1945, two days before the rushes that comprise this film were shot. He was accompanied by his wife who, on viewing the city, judged it to be ‘a shambles’ (quoted in Collis, 1956, 254). The Governor was welcomed by moderate Burmese officials, but Aung San, the influential leader of the Anti-Fascist People’s Freedom League (AFPFL), declined to meet him. Although Dorman-Smith had intimated that independence could be achieved at an earlier date than proposed in the White Paper, the AFPFL denounced his plans. They demanded control of the Governor’s council and an immediate guarantee of self-government (Thomson, 1957, 300). When Dorman-Smith refused these demands he was labelled a fascist.

Dorman-Smith’s council and the AFPFL entered a period of stalemate, and the Governor eventually saw the need for his own replacement (Collis, 1956, 278). In August 1946 he was succeeded by Hubert Rance, who governed Burma until its date of independence, 4 January 1948. During this period Aung San was assassinated by political rivals. The Independent Union of Burma chose not to become a member of the British Commonwealth.

Dorman-Smith was in favour of documenting Burmese life. During the war he had visited London and pleaded the Burmese cause. According to Maurice Collis he had proposed the making of documentary films, arguing that they ‘might make the Burmese more real in the public mind’ (Collis, 1956, 211). It was the governor’s belief that ‘If people saw how charming and human they were, sympathy would be aroused and their problems better understood’ (ibid.). The rushes that comprise this film were shot by Sgt. Wilson of the South East Asia Command (SEAC) film unit. His film covers two combined events. The first is what the Burmese termed the feeding of ‘all comers from the 4 corners’: the distribution of food to the poor, irrespective of creed, caste or religion. The second is the Burmese/Chinese festival of lights, the three-day festival that marks the anniversary of the return of Buddha from the celestial abode.