This archive report was first published on 21 September 2021.
Once renowned for world-class cinema, Hong Kong's film industry is struggling to cope with the latest hurdle: Chinese mainland-style censorship. Authorities have taken their purge of dissent into the cultural sphere, scrutinising films for content that breaches the national security law.
For filmmaker Mok Kwan-ling, the news was devastating. Her debut film, a 27-minute drama inspired by the 2019 democracy protests, was the first to fall foul of the new rules. The film, titled 'Zap Uk' (literally 'clean up the house'), tells the story of a young woman meeting her boyfriend's parents after he is arrested for taking part in the protests.
But the censors were not happy with what was submitted. They demanded 14 cuts, including removing a line from the father saying their son was a first aid volunteer who was 'only out there to save the people'. The censors also demanded the film be renamed and carry a warning that it showed criminal offences.
Mok felt the cuts would leave her film 'devoid of essence and sense' so she put it aside for now. 'My film happened to be the first but it won't be the last,' she warned.
China is rapidly remoulding Hong Kong in its own image after the democracy protests, and films are just the latest in a long list of targets. On top of the new scrutiny rules, a law making its way through the legislature will expand censorship to films previously given clearance as well as tighten the punishment for breaches.
As well as being prescient, the 2015 film 'Ten Years' was a commercial hit and won best film at the city's annual awards. But it is unlikely that a production like that could now be made — or even shown.
Pop star Denise Ho was forced to cancel her concert after the venue pulled out citing 'public security' concerns just days before her performance. But Chow predicts censorship will do little to change Hong Kongers' desire for a greater say in how their city is run and smacks of weakness.
