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We provide translation of news in English from local media and other sources, for academic use.
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#Film #Censorship
No hope for pro-democracy films to be shown in Hong Kong: disappointing filmmaker claims

The Hong Kong government promulgated in June 2021 an amendment to the inspector's guideline of Film censorship regulations.

On the same day, the Office for Film, Newspaper and Article Administration (#OFNAA) declined approval for a short film, titled “Far From Home” which took anti-ELAB movement as background. The short film was intended to join the 15th Fresh Wave International Short Firm contest.

The film’s director Mok Kwan-ling told stand News on August 25, 2021 that in OFNAA’s response to her on August 17, the office requested as many as 14 counts of amendments. She described such request as excessive to the extent of going in contrary to the original intention of the film.

Without viable alternative,Mok decided to withdraw her film, saying that “it is not hopeful for it to be screened in Hong Kong”.

Source: Stand News; #Aug25

https://thestandnews.page.link/HoSrgvdNJQsz6FdJ6

#FailedState #Art #Screening #PolicalSuppression #FarFromHome #MokKwanLing
HK Documentary about #PolyUSiege Wins Grand Prize at International Documentary Festival in Japan

The documentary "Inside the Red Brick Wall", chronicling the 13-day police siege of #PolyU during the #AntiELAB movement, has won the grand prize at Japan's #Yamagata International Documentary Film Festival. This honor has never been won by a Hong Kong film in its three-decade history, until now.

The film was selected as the best Hong Kong film of 2020 by the Hong Kong Film Critics Society. However, it had been shunned by local cinemas after pro-government media labeled it anti-police and anti-government. Its premiere was cancelled only hours before its showing by the hosting cinema.

The panel of judges noted that the documentary showed citizens and students being trapped by the police inside Polytechnic University; it documented the reality of youngsters, including minors, as they faced these dire circumstances, whether or not they had food. Live footage also showed photographers being fired upon within the campus

[editor's note: according to statistics from Hong Kong Journalists Association, 3 journalists had been shot with pepper balls at close range].

The film itself carries historical significance.

The film's directors, listed as "Hong Kong Documentary Filmmakers", thanked the organizers through a pre-recorded video. They said that under Hong Kong's current oppressive environment, they must regroup and be formless like water, but believed that "we'll walk together again".

"To all who believe in freedom", they added, "The only response to oppression is resistance. We will keep moving, and keep on filming."

Source: Citizen News #Oct13
https://bit.ly/3awuc0v

#Film #Documentary #Resistance #ProtestArt #FilmFestival
#Censorship
Film Censorship Amendment Ordinance passed in Hong Kong in merely 45 mins

#LegCo #FilmCensorship #NationalSecurity #Film #Movie #Video

Source: Stand News; #Oct27

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#Censorship
Film Censorship Amendment Ordinance passed in Hong Kong in merely 45 mins

On the last meeting of the extended Sixth Legislative Council in Hong Kong, lawmakers discussed the 2021 Film Censorship Ordinance Amendment Bill. 5 legislators spoke regarding the bill, so it only took 45 minutes to pass the third reading.

The content of the amendment mainly includes requiring the censor to consider whether the film would be contrary to the interests of national security.

The checking process is extended to 28 days, in order to have a thorough consideration and acquire all necessary information.

If the Chief Secretary for Administration believes that a film is contrary to the interests of national security, the Film Censorship Authority can revoke approval certificates or exemption certificates.

Inspectors can enter and search any place without a court warrant, as well as require the holder of exemption certificates or approval certificates to provide more information about the film, including the date, time and venue. This is to prevent individuals from illegally publishing films via social media or instant messaging applications.

The maximum penalty for showing films not yet approved by the Censorship Authority is raised to 3 years imprisonment and HKD1 million fine.

See also:
Film Censorship Ordinance Amended in HK, as Pro-China Lawmaker Claims a Hong Kong Film is Toxic to Teenagers
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/31374

#LegCo #FilmCensorship #NationalSecurity #Film #Movie #Video

Source: Stand News #Oct27 https://thestandnews.page.link/ytxgpfdR7JzGDWQy9
Hong Kong's "Revolution of Our Times" Wins Best Documentary in Taiwan Film Awards;
Director: "This
Film Belongs to Every Hongkonger Who Cried for Hong Kong"

"Revolution of Our Times" has won the Best Documentary at the 58th Golden Horse Film Festival and Awards in Taiwan.

Delivering his acceptance speech by video, director #KiwiChow thanked every person who was filmed and interviewed in this documentary.

One of them, Chow said, was a 16-year-old secondary school student. He was one of the Valiants and was trapped in the Polytechnic University along with Chow for several days during the #PolyU Siege. When he returned to class later. his identity was already made known, and he was trembling in fear when he stepped into his own classroom again. To his surprise, his classmates and teacher all hugged him. The whole room was in tears.

"I really wanted to include this scene in the film, but I couldn't. Still, I want Revolution of Our Times to be like this embrace. During the production, I cried many times. I felt like I relied on this film to comfort myself, to let out my anger and hate, to face my fears and trauma."

In closing, Chow remarked, "To those who remain in Hong Kong, including myself, those who are exiled overseas, and those in prison: My friends, although you may not have a chance to watch the film, I pray to my Heavenly Father that the mere existence of this film could be a comfort and an embrace. Thank you."

Source: Stand News #Nov27

https://thestandnews.page.link/EZfNdGW8CgCLuVVw6
#RevolutionOfOurTimes #GoldenHorse #FIlm #Award
China rumoured banning Hollywood films to counter the US diplomatic boycott of the Beijing Winter Olympics. Spider-Man and Matrix may not be released in China.

The United States announced on 6 Dec that they would not send government officials to the Beijing Winter Olympics as part of a diplomatic boycott. China's Foreign Ministry responded that if the US persists in its policy, "China will take firm countermeasures".

Rumours on Weibo on 9 Dec saying China will suspend the release of Hollywood films as the first wave of counter-measures in response to the US boycott of the Beijing Winter Olympics. Perhaps, the first to be hit is the highly anticipated "Spider-Man: No Way Home".

A Weibo user commented on 8 Dec, "The news just came in that all US films have been suspended (except those already scheduled)". He said that Spider-Man was originally scheduled to release at 10:00 yesterday, but in response to the US boycott of the Winter Olympics, "the notice to suspend US films came down at 9:57...", meaning that Spider-Man will be banned completely.

Rumours are circulating online that the China State Administration of Radio, Film and Television has suspended the release of US blockbusters in China. The blockbusters include Spider-Man: No Way Home and The Matrix Resurrections, which will be released in Hong Kong on Christmas Day. Media outlets across the country have also been ordered not to publicise any US films.

Source: The Stand News #Dec09

#China #US #BeijingWinterOlympics #Olympics #DiplomaticBoycott #Hollywood #Film
#ProtestArt
Revolution of Our Times Wins "Most Influential" & "Best Cultural Image" Awards at FIPADOC Festival in France

Source: Commons HK; #Jan24

#RevolutionOfOurTimes #FIPADOC #Film #Award

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#ProtestArt
Revolution of Our Times Wins "Most Influential" & "Best Cultural Image" Awards at FIPADOC Festival in France

Revolution of Our Times, a documentary banned in Hong Kong chronicling the 2019 Anti-ELAB Movement, has won two awards at the 2022 FIPADOC International Documentary Festival in France, in the catagories of "Most influential" and "Best Cultural Image".

This is the second time the film has won an international award, after taking home the Best Documentary at Taiwan's Golden Horse Film Festival in November last year.

Documentaries from Germany, France, and Belgium were also nominated at the FIPADOC awards, which honor films that inspire social justice, environmentalism, and human rights. The annual festival specializes in non-fiction films, and is now in its 34th year, having first been held in Cannes, France in 1987.

Since its premiere at Cannes Film Festival, every showing of "Revolution of Our Times" has attracted public attention and filled seats at film festivals around the world.

Director #KiwiChow, who resides in Hong Kong, had previously stated that he does not have a copy of the film on hand. The film is scheduled to be screened in Taiwan's theatres on February 25. It will be the first territory where the film is shown in public.

The documentary shows multiple angles of the Anti-ELAB protests from seven different iconic groups in the movement: former reporter turned activist #GwynethHo, who is now held in custody; professor #BennyTai; social workers; the seniors group #ProtectOurChildren; volunteer drivers; first aiders; university students turned frontline protesters; and high school students who left behind their wills before going out to fight.

The film weaves their stories together with now-classic images of the movement, and paints a realistic portrait of Hong Kong's fight for freedom and democracy.

See also: Hong Kong's "Revolution of Our Times" Wins Best Documentary in Taiwan Film Awards; Director: "This Film Belongs to Every Hongkonger Who Cried for Hong Kong
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/31526

Source: Commons HK; #Jan24

https://bit.ly/3IDxMVA

#RevolutionOfOurTimes #FIPADOC #Film #Award
#Documentary
Revolution of Our Times Shown in Cinemas in 5 Canadian Cities

#Film #ProtestArt #KiwiChow #RevolutionOfOurTimes

Sources: Commons HK, CanMen Facebook; #Feb14

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#Documentary
Revolution of Our Times Shown in Cinemas in 5 Canadian Cities

Although #RevolutionOfOurTimes" is barred from screening in Hong Kong, a Canada-based organisation took it to Canada for screening.

The award-winning documentary by Hong Kong Film director #KiwiChow is now showing in 5 Canadian cities, Toronto, Calgary, Edmonton, Vancouver and Victoria, beginning February 11.

CanMen, the group who organized the screening, said they originally planned only 4 screening sessions, but were overwhelmed by the public response as tickets were sold out in hours. After negotiating with cinemas, they added an additional 10 some screening sessions.

At Cineplex Odeon International Village in Vancouver, a small Lennon Wall was set up outside the theater for audiences to write down their feelings and responses.

The documentary took audiences back to three years ago, when the Anti-ELAB movement broke out in Hong Kong. Emotional sobbing can be heard in the theater throughout the showing.

At the end of the movie, audiences responded with thunderous applause. They sang "#GloryToHongKong," a popular protest song, and chanted "Liberate Hong Kong, Revolution of our Times."

The documentary will also be shown in Taipei, Taiwan from February 25 onward.

Sources:

Commons HK
cmmns.co/P9Ksz

CanMen Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/CanMenca/

#Feb14 #Film #ProtestArt