Sein Lin, the drummer for a traditional Burmese dance theatre group in Rangoon, falls in love with beautiful dancer Khin San. When she leaves the group to pursue a career as a film actress, he gives her a small figure as a keepsake, a symbol of traditional theatre. He tells her to return it only when she is certain she wants to stay in film. After celebrating her first cinema successes and deciding to marry producer Hla Tun, Khin San finally gives the figure back to a sad Sein Lin. The story takes a different turn however when Khin San realizes that Hla Tun has been keeping something significant from her.
This black and white film from 1972 was made under the Burmese dictatorship, telling a story of romantic love and providing insight into the repertoire and everyday life of a traditional travelling theater group.
The way in which a traditional dancer develops into a film actress breaks with cultural tradition, as does Sein Lin’s performance in a jazz club whose signs of colonial influence are on clear display. This important reference point for today’s generation of filmmakers has now been restored. (Gabriela Seidel-Hollaender)

https://www.arsenal-berlin.de/en/berlinale-forum/archive/program-archive/2014/special-screenings/che-phawa-daw-nu-nu.html