Refinitiv Newscasts - Hong Kong protest doc surprise addition to Cannes
16/07/2021 15:04
Click the following link to watch video: https://share.newscasts.refinitiv.com/link?entryId=1_l6crhqks&referenceId=tag:reuters.com,2021:newsml_OVEM3HSA3_K15&pageId=RefinitivNewscasts Source: Thomson Reuters Description: A documentary shining a spotlight on Hong Kong's 2019 protest movement was a surprise addition to the Cannes line-up. Lucy Fielder has more. Short Link: https://refini.tv/3iav26g Video Transcript: >> A documentary by Hong Kong filmmaker Kiwi Chow was a surprise addition to this year's lineup at the Cannes Film Festival. These stills are from revolution of our times which chronicles the 2019 pro-democracy movement and shines a light on protester's stories and their clashes with police. China introduced a sweeping National Security Law a year ago to crack down on what it deems subversion, secessionism, terrorism, and collusion with foreign forces. Chow turned activist in 2019 and was inspired to get filming when he saw city workers like cleaners engage in small acts of resistance. He hopes the movie will help the movement live on, which is caught up with him in Hong Kong in June. >> I'm a Hong Konger. I'm also a film director. What I have is my camera. I wanted to be involved in this movement. As long as I have a talent, I have a place in this movement. My identity gives me a sense of responsibility. I hope I can show people that Hong Kong, as who work in the film industry, are not absent from the movement. >> The Hong Kong government recently brought in guidelines allowing authorities to censor films on the basis of safeguarding national security. Cinemas, universities, and art galleries have cancelled screenings or exhibitions of protest-related works. Chow said he worked freely on the documentary, doing his best not to think about the red lines. >> During production, it wasn't just my own fear I had to face, the most difficult thing was I had to deal with other people's face, including those from news outlets, independent journalists, and online media. Many people are facing struggles of their own. After the National Security Law was put in place, many people refused to let me use their footage. >> Cannes organizers said they kept the screening under wraps, partly because the film wasn't finished until the last minute. But early clips had piqued their interest. Festival director theory for most at Cannes was proud to put revolution of our times forward. It showed how cinema can shine a light on important moments in world news. Chow has released several feature films including the dystopian Ten Years Self Immolator in 2015, and the romantic drama Beyond the Dream, released in Hong Kong last year