Poe Mamhe Thar built her career in Myanmar one character at a time, developing what she describes as a growing sensitivity not just to the roles she played but to the audiences connecting with them. Now, with her Thai cinema debut in “Gohan,” she is stepping into a significantly larger regional spotlight.
Directed by Baz Poonpiriya, Chayanop Boonprakob and Atta Hemwadee and produced by GDH 559 – the studio behind globally successful Thai hit “How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies” – “Gohan” follows a white stray dog as he drifts through the lives of three owners over a decade – a near-retirement Japanese automotive engineer, a young Burmese housekeeper working at a dog shelter, and an art student learning what love actually means. Poe Mamhe Thar plays the housekeeper.
The film drew Poe Mamhe Thar’s serious attention from the moment she was invited to audition. “I knew this was a very special project, it’s gonna be a big one,” she tells Variety. “Because it is produced by GDH and directed by Baz Poonpiriya, both of whom are already well-known in the region’s film industry.”
What she found on set surprised her. Despite working away from home, the production’s organization and the care shown by the team made the environment feel welcoming. “Many things were already prepared before I even had to ask,” she says. “The production was incredibly organized, and the collaboration between departments was very smooth and felt very natural. It really made the set feel like a second home.”
“Gohan” brought together talent from across the region – Japanese, Thai and Myanmar – and the actor says those cross-cultural exchanges were among the most meaningful aspects of the experience. “Every time we spoke, we exchanged perspectives and cultures about our film industry,” she says. “I hope projects like this open the door to even more regional partnerships in the future.”
Her grounding in Myanmar’s industry, she says, gave her a resilience that translates well to larger productions. “Our industry can be challenging, so you learn very quickly how to be creative and flexible,” she says. “When I step into larger regional productions now, I feel more prepared because I already understand how to adjust, collaborate, and continue learning from everyone around me.”
Since “Gohan,” she says interest from other markets has begun to follow. “People seem very curious about the character I play in ‘Gohan,’ which is incredibly encouraging for me,” she says. “I’m excited about the possibility of working on projects that challenge me and allow me to grow as an actress.”
Building a cross-border career is something Poe Mamhe Thar is actively pursuing, with streaming platforms and international productions creating opportunities for artists to work beyond their home countries. But her ambitions extend beyond acting. She is particularly drawn to the casting process – thinking about which performers bring the right energy to each role – and sees a future in which she contributes to storytelling from behind the camera as well.
As for her dream role, it is rooted in a chapter of her life that preceded her acting career entirely. Before becoming a performer, Poe Mamhe Thar studied medicine. “I’ve always had a small dream of playing a doctor in a medical-based story like ‘Grey’s Anatomy,’” she says. “I think that would be a very fun and meaningful experience for me.”
She is equally passionate about what she hopes “Gohan” signals for her home industry more broadly. “Myanmar has so many talented artists and many meaningful stories waiting to be shared with the world,” she says. “I truly believe our talented artists are ready to contribute to international cinema. My hope is that projects like ‘Gohan’ will help spark more curiosity about our creative community and open doors for more of our stories to reach the world.”
“Gohan” released theatrically in Thailand on April 2.
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