Revealing A Forgotten History

Being a film-maker was never the plan when he was growing up in Hale, but a visit to Burma changed Alex Beconsby’s life.

- Paul Mackenzie

BEYOND a vague knowledge of Ang San Suu Kyi’s years of house arrest and subsequent election to high office, many people would admit their knowledge of Burma is limited. But a former pupil of Altrincham Grammar School is hoping to increase awareness of the country through a new film which is due to be premiered this year.

Alex Beconsby spoke to Cheshire Life after a meeting at which he showed his film to a major broadcaster. ‘It was like taking a baby to be examined,’ he said. ‘I’ve given so much of myself to making this film and then it was up there to be criticised.’

It may never have been made at all, had Alex not had a change of heart while studying for a history and politics degree at Cambridge University. He was about to begin a thesis on local government in the UK but put his name down for a scholarship to south east Asia.

‘I was packed off to Burma and Thailand for a few months,’ Alex said. ‘I completely fell in love and I have been going back ever since. After Cambridge I worked for companies who were looking to do business in frontier markets and the only place I ever wanted to go back to was Burma.’