Nov. 9, 2023

Controversial Hong Kong Film Awarded Best Picture Winner

Documentary film To My Nineteen-Year-Old Self won the most honourable achievement in the Hong Kong film industry this year. However, the accomplishment has been marred by controversy following allegations of unethical conduct thrown at the renowned movie director Mabel Cheung. We look into the controversy to find out more. By: Dylan Low

At the Hong Kong Cultural Centre, To My Nineteen-Year-Old Self won Best Film, becoming the first documentary to do so in the Hong Kong Film Awards’ 41-year history. 

It was directed by notable Hong Kong filmmaker Mabel Cheung Yuen-ting. To My Nineteen-Year-Old Self was the veteran director’s first documentary after producing dozens of features, namely 1987’s An Autumn’s Tale and the accomplished 1997 historical film The Soong Sisters.

What caused the controversy?

A shocking news article broke out, published by Hong Kong news outlet Ming Pao Weekly and written by Ah Ling, also the main character in the film. This impacted the public opinion of Cheung’s work.

Ah Ling claimed that when she was first spoken to about the film, Cheung guaranteed her that the final film would only be showcased for internal screenings at school and people associated with the fundraising campaign.

When post production began, Cheung started thinking about applying for a theatrical release. Ah Ling was emotionally distress. She was mentally affected and had to consult a psychiatrist who disclosed that “the movie is not suitable for public screening.”

Her plea was ultimately disregarded, as Cheung submitted the final cut for distribution approval without showing Ah Ling. “I was very concerned about the feedback if the film became available to the public. For that reason, I told Cheung multiple times that I would like to participate in the editing process and be informed, how my story would be framed,” commented Ah Ling. “But Cheung said that it would be impossible to produce a documentary if everyone involved wanted to have a say in the editing.”

Ah Ling also accused her school for siding with Chueng’s unethical practices. She claims they first tried to convince her to reconsider her opinion, then cautioned that she might face legal responsibility if she opposed the film release to public. When she rejected signing a new agreement of consent with revised articles about public screenings in 2022, the school claimed her filming participation as an adult can be “silent consent” legally.

“I was terrified how school officials responded to my dissatisfaction. I highly respected them once but they reacted totally different now when they negotiated with me,” Ah Ling admitted, “I was angry at first and then I became scared of their reaction.”

Despite her disapproval, the documentary officially screened in cinemas on 2nd February, however removed from theatres less than four days later following criticism from the public and other stars in the documentary.

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