Por Mamhe Tar has built her career in Myanmar one role at a time, which she describes as becoming more sensitive not only to the roles she plays, but also to the audiences that connect with those roles. Now, she has made her Thai film debut with ‘Gohan’ and has garnered quite a lot of attention regionally.
GDH, the studio behind the international blockbuster Thai hit How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies, directed by Baz Poonpiriya, Chayanop Boonprakob and Atta Hemwady; Produced by 559, “Gohan” follows a white stray dog that drifts for over 10 years through the lives of three owners: a Japanese automotive engineer nearing retirement, a young Burmese housekeeper working at a dog shelter, and an art student learning the true meaning of love. Po Mamhe Tar plays the role of the housekeeper.
The film caught Po Mamkhe Tar’s attention from the moment she was invited to audition. “I knew this was a very special project. It was going to be a big project,” she told Variety. “Because it is produced by GDH and directed by Baz Poonpiliya, both of whom are already well known in the film industry in the region.”
What she found on set surprised her. Despite working remotely from home, the environment felt welcoming due to the care shown by the production organization and team. “So much was already in place before I even asked,” she says. “The production was incredibly organized and the collaboration between departments was very smooth and felt very natural. It really felt like a second home on set.”
Gohan attracted talent from across the region, including Japan, Thailand and Myanmar, and the actor says the cross-cultural exchange was one of the most rewarding aspects of the experience. “Every time we spoke, we exchanged perspectives and cultures about our film industry,” she says. “We hope that projects like this will open the door to further regional partnerships in the future.”
She says her experience rooted in Myanmar’s industry has given her a resilience that she can apply to larger-scale productions. “Our industry can be difficult, so you quickly learn how to be creative and flexible,” she says. “Now, when I step into a larger regional production, I feel more prepared because I already understand how to coordinate, collaborate, and continue to learn from everyone around me.”
Since ‘Gohan’, interest has started coming in from other markets, she says. “People seem to be very interested in the character I play in ‘Gohan,’ and that’s very encouraging to me,” she says. “I’m excited about the possibility of working on a project that challenges me and allows me to grow as an actress.”
Po Mamhe Taal is actively building a career that transcends borders, with streaming platforms and international production creating opportunities for artists to work beyond their home countries. But her ambitions extend beyond acting. She is particularly fascinated by the casting process – figuring out which performers will bring the right energy to each role – and sees a future in which she also contributes to storytelling from behind the camera.
When it comes to her dream role, it’s rooted in a chapter in her life that completely predates her acting career. Po Mamkhe Tar studied medicine before becoming a performer. “I’ve always had this little dream of playing a doctor in a medical-based story like ‘Grey’s Anatomy,'” she says. “I think it will be a very fun and meaningful experience for me.”
She is equally passionate about wanting Gohan to have a broader impact on the industry in her home country. “Myanmar has so many talented artists and so many meaningful stories waiting to be shared with the world,” she says. “I truly believe that our talented artists are ready to contribute to international cinema. My hope is that projects like ‘Gohan’ will spark further curiosity in our creative community and open the door for more of our stories to reach the world.”
“Gohan” will be released in theaters in Thailand on April 2nd.
