The Puzzle of Censorship
Defiant, confrontational and angsty. These are the attributes that make the tiny city of Hong Kong distinct from anywhere else. It seems that the thorn rebelliously jabbing at China’s side since the British handover in 1997 was finally plucked out after Hong Kong’s 2019 ‘revolutionary’ protests.
An embittered laugh arises when revisiting the initial reactionary forces against the protestors who define their cause as fighting for rudimentary civil liberties and universal suffrage. Endless streams of tear gas and brutal suppression from the police were seen as the worst of the consequences for the protestors. Yet these were just the tip of the iceberg, a fragment of a larger and elusive web of efficient government crackdowns overseen by the mighty fist of the CCP.
Beaten, destroyed, and exhausted - the rebel city’s lofty ambitions were tranquilised through the passing of the unnerving National Security Law (NSL).
The NSL criminalises a wide range of actions and expressions deemed to be against the Hong Kong government or its relationship with China. Under its vague pretences, authorities are granted extensive powers to surveil, detain, and search individuals because of mere suspicion. Absurd instances include people being detained for wearing t-shirts with political slogans, or in the aftermath of the 2019 – 2020 protests, young adults were stopped and searched simply for wearing black clothing.
The sheer power of this Orwellian law was exhibited during the 2020 National Security Law raid of Apple Daily, a pro-democracy newspaper created by tycoon Jimmy Lai, who echoes the rebellious nature of Hong Kong. His unwavering critiques of the Chinese government placed a target on him and his media company.
On 10 August 2020, as the Apple Daily headquarters were stripped apart and searched by the almighty National Security Department of the Hong Kong Police Force, Lai was paraded around the site in handcuffs – an act of humiliation and a warning to not step on China’s toes. For many, this turned the tycoon into a political martyr.
Navigating Censorship with Creativity: A Filmmaker’s Perspective
Any films which may have the effect or likely effect of inciting or encouraging the commission of any offence under the National Security Law or other offence endangering national security or seeks to advocate, incite or glorify any acts or activities endangering national security should not be permitted. ~ Film Censorship Guidelines for Censors. V. Approaches in Classification. 52.
As the National Security Law doubles down in the city, filmmakers are forced to navigate the stringent, yet ambiguous, censorship regulations. Black frames and muted sounds are used to replace original content that could be interpreted as a threat to national security, hoping to appease and bypass government censors. Content depicting the 2019 protests faces the most scrutiny. Films such as these are suppressed by NSL censors, forcing views to rely on virtual private networks or clandestine screenings for access.
A notable example is ‘Revolution of Our Times’, a documentary about the civil unrest. Despite its debut at the 2021 Cannes Film Festival, it was immediately banned in Hong Kong due to its content, and its title being named after a forbidden political slogan.
Here, the erosion and lost liberties of Hong Kong become vividly apparent. Fear and uncertainty now plague many Hong Kongers, many question the safety of their expressions: “If I say, X, will I be arrested or get into trouble?”
A well-formed presumption could be made that Hong Kong’s entertainment industry will suffer heavily due to the fear of offending the government, with the risk of 3 years in jail and $1 million Hong Kong dollars for showing an unauthorised film.
I had the opportunity to interview the acclaimed director of ‘The Sunny Side of the Street’, Kok Rui Lau. In the era of the NSL, with the spectre of censorship looming large, Rui shared his perspective on the balancing between creativity and censorship in Hong Kong’s film industry.
“I think a storyteller could always tell the story in any circumstances,” Rui remarked, citing Iranian director Jafar Panahi as an example of a filmmaker who continued to craft remarkable films despite his government bans.
He remains hopeful, stating, “As long as the filmmakers in Hong Kong do not lose interest in telling a story, I think there is a good chance that we will still see good Hong Kong films in the future.”
Balancing Creativity and Self-Censorship
The Hong Kong director elaborates that the foremost challenge in filmmaking is navigating the NSL’s unclear guidelines about permissible content. This often results in a delicate dance of self-censorship.
Regarding the fine line between creative expression and self-censorship, Rui suggests he does not have the same problems as local Hong Kong filmmakers.
“I don’t think I have any self-censorship issues. I am very clear that I am Malaysian but trained as a filmmaker in Hong Kong.”
He underscores his commitment to maintaining a clear sense of identity and purpose in his filmmaking. This approach enables him to craft Hong Kong films from a unique perspective, unafraid to delve into various topics, regardless of their nature.
“I make Hong Kong films from my perspective.” However, Rui acknowledged that working with local production companies presents limitations due to certain taboos. In such cases, he expressed a willingness to explore financing from foreign regions to maintain his creative independence.
The Future of Hong Kong's Entertainment Industry
The interview concluded with a discussion about the state of Hong Kong’s entertainment industry amidst the backdrop of shifting political winds. Rui observed a rise in local film production, which he attributed to improved box office performance over the past year. While cautious about the sustainability of this trend, Rui expressed confidence in the wealth of talent within Hong Kong’s filmmaking community:
“I am not sure how long this will last, but I think there are still many good filmmakers in Hong Kong.”
Hong Kong’s film industry grapples with a complex terrain of censorship. Although facing an uncertain future, the creative spirit and determination of filmmakers like Rui envisions the potential for a vibrant cinematic landscape in the years to come. It is a glimpse into the resilience of storytellers who are determined to continue their craft. The difficult puzzle of censorship is a challenge that turns filmmaking into a problem-solving endeavour, creating more original and artistic narratives.
Image source: Shutterstock and Reuters. “Festival screening of two films canceled under Hong Kong censorship law.” 23 June 2022. https://www.rappler.com/entertainment/movies/festival-screening-films-canceled-under-censorship-law-hong-kong/.