The Hong Kong government on Friday (11) published a constitutional amendment to the Film Censorship Ordinance, effective immediately, requiring censors to decide whether a film should be approved for theatrical release, and the level of assessment, if the content of the film “may constitute an offence against national security”, or undermine the Hong Kong government’s act of safeguarding national security, then should be concluded If the content of the film is considered to be “likely to constitute a crime against national security” or to undermine the Hong Kong government’s defense of national security, the conclusion should be “not suitable for release. Some film practitioners believe that the guidelines are blurred, so that the industry will avoid filming subjects that “step out of line” in the future. Some scholars also analyze that this amendment will not only narrow the creative space for film practitioners, but also affect film investors.
The movie “Cousin, You’re Great! Dialogue: By then, the Joint Declaration will be over. One country, two systems is over. The Basic Law is finished.
Dialogue of the movie “Infernal Affairs”: Sorry, I am a police officer.
These classic Hong Kong movies, in the newly revised Film Censorship Ordinance, or all of them failed. Because the newly revised guidelines of the Film Censorship Ordinance states that censors should pay attention to the film “may constitute a crime against national security”, or the activities depicted, as well as the content deemed to “identify with, support, promote, glorify, encourage or incite”. If the film is “likely” to constitute a crime against national security, such as inciting secession, promoting terrorism, or displaying seditious publications, and taking into account the film’s impact on viewers, which could jeopardize national security, the film is “unsuitable for release.
In addition to the ban on the release of the film, the guidelines also state that some of the film’s content can be cut, if the film “riot, arson, criminal damage” and other violent scenes of disruption of public order, and is likely to “encourage or incite” the audience to imitate the relevant behavior, the clip should be cut.
The guidelines also specifically mention documentaries, stating that if the film “claims” to be a documentary, or reports or reenacts real events closely related to the situation in Hong Kong, it is “likely” that Hong Kong viewers will have “stronger feelings” about the content of the film. It is likely that Hong Kong viewers will have “stronger feelings” about the content of the film and believe the entire content of the film. The guidelines require censors to be more cautious about whether a film is biased, unverified, false or misleading, and how likely it is to be imitated by viewers.
Hong Kong filmmakers say guidelines are blurred
The Hong Kong Federation of Film Workers spokesman Tian Qiwen said in an interview with the media, the relevant provisions of the boundary line is vague, worried about the impact of Hong Kong film industry creativity. He expected that, in the face of the uncertainty brought about by the regulations, the Hong Kong film industry will not shoot a chance to step on the boundary of the subject matter.
Tian Qiwen: This boundary is also unclear, how to endanger national security? What was done? For example, if a line of dialogue is spoken, does it jeopardize national security? People when it is not clear, people do not do it, that is the safest, but is this good for the Hong Kong film industry?
Leung Lai-kuen, a lecturer at CUHK’s School of Journalism and Communication, argued that the amendment would increase the restrictions on film practitioners, making them wary of creating in the future. She said the amendment would also have an impact on film investors.
Leung Lai-kuen: For Hong Kong film practitioners, it will establish more restrictions, so they will have to be afraid of making films in the future, or to be afraid, even if you can shoot, but after shooting, can not pass the film inspection, that is, you can not get the broadcast certificate, you can not be public. This would be a big blow to investors.
Shu Qi: one of the principles of the film censorship system established in the 1980s to ensure that no film is banned for political reasons
Shu Qi, former director of the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts School of Film and Television, was involved in the legislative work of the film censorship system in the 1980s. He recalled to the media that before the legislation of the film censorship system, the principles and codes of control of film screenings were only internal basis, and no legal basis until 1988 when the government legislated, and one of the principles of the Film Censorship Ordinance was established to ensure that “political “As far as he knows, not a single film has been censored or banned due to political factors since the legislation was enacted. Asked whether this amendment means that Hong Kong films will be politically censored, Shu Qi said he would not comment.
Recent Comments