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#Cinema #Art
#CannesFilmFestival screens Hong Kong director #KiwiChow's social movement #documentary “Revolution of Our Times” at the last minute

Source: Stand News; Hollywood Reporter #Jul15

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https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/30517
#Cinema #Art
#CannesFilmFestival screens Hong Kong director #KiwiChow's social movement #documentary “Revolution of Our Times” at the last minute

The annual Cannes Film Festival which is closing on July 17, 2021 suddenly announced that it will screen “Revolution of Our Times”, a documentary on Hong Kong’s pro-demoncracy movement in 2019, at 11am on July 16.

The documentary was directed by Hong Kong director Kiwi Chow whose previous works include Ten Years, and Beyond the Dream.

In his interview with the Wall Street Journal, Chow said he spent two years producing the film in secret. His friends had tried to convince to him to leave Hong Kong, hide his name from the film, or at least change the title of the film; but he refused.

“It is not freedom if I had to guess where the red line is”, Chow said.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, the Festival announced the screening of “Revolutions of Our Times” at the last minute in order to protect the film crew.

On July 14, 2021, the Festival sent out an email to some media stating a “surprise documentary” would be added, and about 10 reporters were invited to a private viewing. The media were required to keep the news a secret until the afternoon July 15.

Source: Stand News; Hollywood Reporter; Wall Street Journal #Jul15

https://thestandnews.page.link/twLjaX818nrWtMTj9

#ProtestArt #Professionalism #HongKongDirector #RevolutionofOurTimes
#Solidarity #Respect
HK Documentary Director Thanks Supporters, Has No Plans to Leave HK

The surprise screening of Kiwi Chow's documentary "Revolution Of Our Times" at the 2021 #CannesFilmFestival, one of the three major film festivals worldwide, had attracted widespread attention.

The film documents Hong Kong's 2019 Anti-ELAB movement, and its trailer was posted online on July 18, 2021. Many viewers commented that they could not hold back their tears, and thanked the director for recording history.

#KiwiChow had previously directed the short "Ten Years: Self-Immolator" and feature film "Beyond the Dream".

In an interview with Stand News, he responded to the warm reception from netizens: "Some things go both ways. Some people thanked me; I also want to thank everyone."

Many had expressed concern for Chow's personal safety. He had mentioned in previous interviews that he had to "prepare to face potential consequences." He did not want to dwell on what the "consequences" may be, lest he be dominated by fear.

Chow is currently in Hong Kong, and has no plans to leave. "I don't need to, nor want to, allow the fear of what hasn't happened - and only exists in my imagination - to control my decisions."

#Cinema #Art #Documentary #RevolutionOfOurTimes #ProtestArt #ToFreedom

Source: Stand News #Jul16
https://thestandnews.page.link/aKNC8LXo3U6wdXsJ6
#Interview #KiwiChow
“Revolution Of Our Times” Director Seeks Freedom by Faith: "Hong Kong is Where My Heart Is"

Part 1

Source: Stand News #Jul17

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#Interview #KiwiChow
“Revolution Of Our Times” Director Seeks Freedom by Faith: "Hong Kong is Where My Heart Is"


Part 1

On July 16, 2021, the #CannesFilmFestival in France added #KiwiChow’s “Revolution Of Our Times” to this year’s screening as a last minute surprise. The short film documented the pro-democracy movement sparked off by an extradition law in Hong Kong in 2019. 

Speaking in subsequent media interviews, Chow acknowledged that his safety has been a grave concern to many people close to him. Some advised him to release the film anonymously, while others urged him to leave Hong Kong.

Chow, however, does not want to be overtaken by fear, so he decided to stay behind.

“If I leave, I’ll be trapped in fear”

In early July, Chow’s interview was featured on the CGST Magazine published by the Chinese Academy of Theology. In this feature story, he talked about his short film “Self-Immolator”, one of the segment episodes of “Ten Years”, a film which won multiple awards in Hong Kong in 2016. Back then, people close to him were also concerned for his safety and advised him to flee, but he decided otherwise, clinging to his strong Christian faith.

Chow recalled the time he went on a mission trip in Africa with his wife.  “Where your heart is" (扎心) is an expression that they spoke of often. Chow said his heart is now tightly knit to Hong Kong. He decides to stay, not only to fulfill his responsibility, but also to seek freedom in his heart.

Chow expressed that if he leaves Hong Kong, he will be trapped in fear. “We are Christians. We have always been seeking Christ, seeking love, seeking freedom.” “They can imprison my body, but not my soul, nor my faith,” Chow added.

In recent months, the social situation in Hong Kong has become tense.  Chow expressed in his interview with Stand News that he thought that the documentary, “Revolution of our Times”, could well be banned from discussion even on the internet. He is delighted to see netizens sharing the film, as well as its news, posters and trailers online as usual.

#KiwiChow #RevolutionOfOurTimes #Art #KeepTheFaith

Source: Stand News #Jul17

https://bit.ly/37zcPdX
#Interview #KiwiChow
“Revolution Of Our Times” Director Seeks Freedom by Faith: "Hong Kong is Where My Heart Is"


Part 2

Source: Stand News #Jul17

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#Interview #KiwiChow
“Revolution Of Our Times” Director is Not Afraid: "“No matter how insignificant it is, I'll do it and keep going”

Previously, Part 1:

https://www.facebook.com/2406628919558580/posts/3041807359374063/

Continue with Part 2:

On July 16, 2021, the #CannesFilmFestival in France added #KiwiChow’s “Revolution Of Our Times” to this year’s screening as a last minute surprise. The short film documented the pro-democracy movement sparked off by an extradition law in Hong Kong in 2019. 

“No matter how insignificant it is, I'll do it and keep going”

Kiwi Chow said, “[If] I leave Hong Kong, it is going to be painful and fearful for me.  So, I am in fact too scared to leave Hong Kong for now.  Although it might sound contradictory, I am staying behind to find freedom, to be free from fear.”

Chow continued to say that his decision to stay in Hong Kong is connected to his religious belief. “I believe in freedom and justice. I want to practice what I believe. Now I am presented this opportunity to practice it, so I must hold on and carry it through.”

Chow also mentioned that a businessman approached him two years ago to produce a documentary about the anti-extradition movement. Although Chow specializes primarily in feature films, he saw it as an appropriate role for him to contribute. “No matter how insignificant my role is going to be, I'll do it and keep going.” 

In another interview on Ming Pao Weekly, Chow said he felt blessed that the documentary was accepted and shown in the Cannes Film Festival, so that people around the world can come to understand the movement taking place in Hong Kong.

Chow said he is hoping the film would send a message of empathy, justice, and freedom. He does not want history to be distorted, and it is never his intention to spread hatred.  

"I am a film director, and I documented this movement.  As to what the audience may take from the film, it is beyond my control.  In this documentary, I recorded what happened. The scenes, the people and their voices captured in this documentary are real.  That’s what I want to let the world know and understand.”

#KiwiChow #RevolutionOfOurTimes #Art #KeepTheFaith

Source: Stand News #Jul17

https://bit.ly/37zcPdX
#Culture #Conscience
Hong Kong Filmmaker #KiwiChow: Prepared to face sanctions & imprisonment

Source: Stand News; #Aug7

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#Culture #Conscience
Hong Kong Filmmaker #KiwiChow: Prepared to face sanctions & imprisonment

Screened on the penultimate day of the 74th #Cannes Film Festival in mid-July 2021 is the Hong Kong protest documentary, #RevolutionOfOurTimes, which captured the pro-democracy movement in Hong Kong in 2019, following the Government’s attempt to promulgate the extradition law.

Knowing that he could potentially be exposed to sanction under the territory’s National Security Law, director Kiwi Chow is the only name credited on the documentary, as his financiers and technical collaborators have all chosen to remain anonymous.

Chow was director of many popular Hong Kong films such like “Ten Year” (the short "Self- Immolator”) and “Beyond the Dream”. He acknowledged that only "Revolution of our Times" has given him the biggest strain.

Before the film's premiere, he was asked to remain anonymous. He also received threatening phone calls telling him to leave Hong Kong immediately. But Kiwi Chow chose to stay and carry on his life in Hong Kong as usual.

Chow is even willing to be interviewed by media to talk about freedom, talk about film and his belief.

Chow anticipated that the documentary will not be allowed to be shown in Hong Kong. He even prepared to face imprisonment. Chow said, “ I am innocent under the long standing framework of Basic Law, not to mention that the documentary was filmed and completed before the National Security Law was implemented.”

Chow said, if he is ever being arrested. He is certainly a political prisoner. “I think political prisoner is a self-invited humiliation to a regime.”

#PoliticalSuppression #Unafraid #Film #HongKongCinema

Source: Stand News; #Aug7
https://www.thestandnews.com/media/video/images/%E5%8B%87%E6%B0%A3%E4%B8%8D%E6%BB%85-%E5%91%A8%E5%86%A0%E5%A8%81
#FirstHand #PoliceState
HK Police sends undercover officer and interrupts private screening of #KiwiChow's movie

Source: First Hand, Citizen News; #Aug27

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