[2014.04.08] GIDDENS KO: DOG OWNERSHIP IS A LIFELONG PROMISE

courtesy of singtao.com

Dog is mankind's best friend. Dog is loyal to mankind, but mankind can easily abandon them. Do you know, when you irresponsible abandon it, the dog can very likely be euthanized? The currently in release Taiwan documentary TWELVE NIGHTS features dogs. It again reminds us that dog ownership is a lifelong promise, do not out of a moment of convenience ruin a dog's life.

The Giddens Ko produced, female director Raye directed documentary TWELVE NIGHTS' subjects are abandoned dogs in Taiwan and the film promotes the "adoption, not abandonment" message. In Taiwan, each stray dog after 12 days at the shelter would be euthanized if it has no owner to pick it up or new owner to adopt it. TWELVE NIGHTS with this subject realistically brings the lives of stray dogs at the shelter to the audience. Dog lovers' heart would naturally ache when they watch, but Giddens Ko hopes that non dog lovers would be be made to think.

Giddens Ko earlier came to Hong Kong to promote TWELVE NIGHTS. Speaking of being the film's producer, he said that everything was destined. "Earlier the YOU ARE THE APPLE OF MY EYE cinematographer approached me. After hearing him out I agreed. I never thought about directing it myself, because director Raye had a lot of love for this film. I only had to assist by the sideline."

They both are dog lovers, naturally they hope the Taiwan government can exercise less strict policies toward stray dogs. Yet, Giddens Ko felt that it was more important to teach everyone the message of "adoption, not abandonment" from childhood.

"Dog owners would understand, dogs are our best friends. I really love my dog, with stray dogs most would give them food and donate money periodically to charitable organizations. Very few people would bring them home, that is too noble. Our power is limited. Although I hope through the film to change stray dog's living environment, I hope that dogs that are not mine can also have love, at least not be harmed. I also hope that after watching viewers would at the most basic and the most overall would not abandon the dogs that they own."

Giddens Ko also has a long term dream. "I know change can't be done suddenly, so after TWELVE NIGHTS, we would turn the film production into education television and provide it for free to schools as teaching material. Thus now the team is very seriously working on shrinking the film down to 120 minutes, so students after watching in class can discuss it then gradually change the concept of pet ownership in the society. This is a life education to understand that this is a lifelong promise. This is a long road to keep the struggle going. If Hong Kong schools are interested we absolutely are willing to donate the film."

Giddens Ko said that if organizations would like to raise donations, after inspection they would provide the film for free. "We made this film not to make money, the film's proceeds will be donated. Viewers know their tickets will be used on public good, naturally they are more willing to spend the money. In the same manner, we would strictly inspect organizations that want the film to ensure that they would not take the chance to make money."

Giddens Ko in order to make TWELVE NIGHTS was willing to dig into his own wallet. When asked if he thought about operating a shelter, he laughed, "No way! That is a great sense of responsibility, it needs a lot a lot a lot of money! Mankind's power is very small, but as long as everyone is willing to slowly change the future can definitely be even better. I don't hope viewers after watching TWELVE NIGHTS would not just tearfully say poor dog and that's it; I hope they would bring a sense of responsibility with them and do what they can for stray dogs."