#ProtestArt #NeverForget #Interview
Traces of Graffiti in Hong Kong: "If we can write them easily, then we can write them more”

When passing the streets of the Hong Kong, be it inside the tunnels, the flyovers, or by the roads you drive by every day, it is hard to miss the many grey cover-up patches on the pale walls and washed-out letterings.

These marks are some of the many traces left in the city, reminding Hong Kong people of what they went through two years ago.

MC Yan, the lead singer of local Hip Hop band #LMF , also known as "Asia's first graffiti artist", calls these "Cleansed Fonts” (清潔體), because they are presenting the original message in a fresh new way.

Since Beijing's implementation of #NationalSecurityLaw in Hong Kong on June 30, 2020, the words "Liberate Hong Kong, Revolution of our Times" have since been considered taboo.

MC Yan feels that it is a foolish move on the regime, because “they have highlighted something, and given people a target to be directed against.”

In fact, he feels that it has become an opportunity to inspire people to think. This has also led to many derivative creations; people were inspired to arrange shapes like triangles and circles together to remind people of the popular “revolution” slogan.

“On the surface, it looks like the movement has become scattered, but in fact, the symbols are still there, the idea lives on,” said MC Yan.

When asked whether the change from words to symbols is a submission to the regime, MC Yan replied by saying that, “when these ideas are turned into symbols, it is being simplified but it doesn’t mean that they were faded”.

He believes that using symbols only made it faster and easier for people to write, “if we can write them out so easily now, then we can write them more.”

Source: Hong Kong Citizen News #Jul18
Image: #FirstHand
https://www.facebook.com/hkcnews/posts/1496216894055048

#Symbol #Graffiti #MCYan #LMF #Icon #Creativity #CleansedFonts

#Interview
Consul General of Canada in Hong Kong most concerned about National Security Law and prosecutions of political assembly participants

After the enactment of the National Security Law (NSL) in Hong Kong, the Canadian government announced a “Lifeboat Scheme” in Nov 2020 further enabling immigration from Hong Kong. The scheme came to effect in Feb 2021 and attracted applications from a lot of Hongkongers.

When interviewed by The Stand News in Feb 2021, the Consul General of Canada in Hong Kong Jeff NANKIVELL emphasised that young Hongkongers charged for participating in political activities will not be barred from immigrating to Canada.

Continue Reading our fully translated article:

https://telegra.ph/Interview-before-leaving-Part-1-Consul-General-of-Canada-in-Hong-Kong-most-concerned-about-National-Security-Law-and-prosecution-06-25

Source: The Stand News, #May10

#Canada #JeffNankivell #ConsulGeneralCanadaInHK

#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

Read more
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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

#Interview #Firsthand
Hong Kong Female Frontliner's Look Appears in Top Model UK 2020: "Every small efforts will eventually come together and make a big impact"

On June 26, 2021, the Top Model UK 2020 was staged in the Royal Horseguard Hotel in London.

A Hong Kong model, Catherine (thereafter C), took to the stage as the Lady Liberty of Hong Kong. After the contest, Catherine spoke to us in an interview.

1）What makes you show up on the stage as a female warrior, the Lady Liberty of Hong Kong?

C: When pondering for an appropriate outfit for the self-style session of the contest, I reckon any fashion piece that connects with the pro-democracy protest in 2019 would well represent Hong Kong.

I remember this common protester symbol which was well-recognized in Hong Kong and easy to execute. Under time pressure, we made this protest-inspired outfit without even seeking consent from the designer of the art piece.

We want to bring Hongkongers’ efforts in the pro-democracy movement to global attention and showcase Hong Kong local culture on international platforms. I wish to let Hong Kong people know that we can always find ways to continue our fight under escalating oppression.

2）How do other countries respond to this female warrior outfit, and what does this outfit actually embody?

C: Some contestants were able to tell the difference between Hong Kong and China. They are keen to share their opinions on the pro-democracy movement in Hong Kong with me. I am grateful for their encouragement.

The master of ceremony said that they like this outfit. Some dressers showed thumbs up while some make-up artists found it a unique and stunning design.

3）What do you think this Lady Liberty design is symbolizing?

C: I found much resonance in this protest design, probably because I am a woman. Females are no longer the weaker sex nowadays. We can walk on to the front-line to battle and fight for our beliefs. A fully-geared female shows the determination to fight on, even when she realizes that the journey will be covered in sweat, blood and tears.

I think I am not slim enough to fit into the outfit and bring the best out of it. I am not the female protester on the poster in Hong Kong, but an ordinary Hongkonger. I have yet given up, and I wish other Hongkongers to continue their fight as well.

I can take this protest-inspired outfit to the stage which everyone else can also continue the protest in their own ways. The costume is heavy in its memory of the pro-democracy movement in 2019, symbolizing every unyielding Hongkonger and the memories back then.

4）What do you want to do the most when going back to Hong Kong?

C: Hum... I want to eat local dishes like barbecue pork and chicken rice with lemon tea. I want to see pop singer Hins Cheung’s concert (Cheung is always #1 for me) and see live shows of some popular local bands and movie stars. I want to show my support to Hong Kong movies too.

Hong Kong is always the best, no matter where I am. I will utter my best effort to defend and guard Hong Kong culture because “I fxxking love Hong Kong” (Catherine cited a well-known protest slogan).

5）What do you want to say to those still in Hong Kong?

C: Hang on! Hong Kong needs every one of us to continue the fight in our own ways. Every small efforts will eventually come together and make a big impact. We have to keep on fighting. I believe we can take on any roles comfortable to ourselves and fight.

Wrapping up the interview, Catherine cited lyrics of a popular canton pop, “In fact, learning to live in desperation is an unending life-long training.”

I hate losing. But until now, we have nothing else to lose, Hongkongers.

#ProtestArt #Fashion
#HKCulture #AntiELAB #TopModel #LadyLiberty #FemaleWarrior #Catherine #UK

Source: First Hand #Aug6

**Photos are provided by the interviewee

#Interview #Hongkonger
#Frontliner in Hong Kong Protest Speaks Up in #Canada:
"Don't forget the frontliners even though they're no longer in the spotlight"


Photo: Netizen #Aug31

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#Interview #Hongkonger
#Frontliner in Hong Kong Protest Speaks Up in #Canada: "Don't forget the frontliners even though they're no longer in the spotlight"

Part 1

On August 31, 2021, many Hongkongers assembled in a rally in Toronto, Canada, commemorating the police brutality victims of the 8.31 Prince Edward Station Attack by the police during the 2019 #AntiELAB movement.

Read more:
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/30945

At the rally, Hei, a frontliner who fled Hong Kong in 2020, shared his experiences and thoughts of his part in the pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong.

"The 2019 Anti-ELAB movement happened very suddenly. Hongkongers did not learn how to protest when growing up," Hei said. "We the younger generation, in particular, were not taught about protests in school. Hong Kong did not have any violent protests before. Hongkongers are actually still full of love, especially after the events of 2019; we care very much about the people around us."

After all, the pro-democracy movement reflects Hongkongers' belonging to the city. Hei is one of them. "That year was also when I began to really identify with the name 'Hongkonger''," Hei recounted.

"Before that, I didn't really feel a sense of belonging, or feel any 'Hong Kong spirit' that was often mentioned on TV. Hong Kong people were all strangers going to school or work; we would never say hello."

"I couldn't represent all frontliners, though I could say that I had barely missed any protests in 2019," Hei looked back and said. "I was on Lion Rock. I went to the airport. Before the movement, I never thought going on a hike could be so meaningful."

Yet, the authorities' crackdown on pro-democracy protesters never stop. "Many of us, the frontliners who went on the streets over these 2 years, are now in prison," Hei said.

"Some escaped police and are have returned to their studies or work. Some have moved away from Hong Kong. Many peaceful-nonviolent protesters seem to think we've gone missing, and now pay attention only to political commentators, many of whom I don't know."

Hei urged Hongkongers not to forget why frontliners have to go into hiding, whether they want it or not. "Although we're no longer in the spotlight, I hope you haven't forgotten about us. Some of us are even sitting here right next to you. We had all been frontliners."

Photo: Netizens #Aug31

Full video of the rally: https://www.facebook.com/CHKLink/videos/457215711939067

#Aug31 #831PrinceEdward #PoliceBrutality #hkdarkage #speakup4hk #831hk

Part 2 coming up next