[2023.04.18] TO MY NINETEEN-YEAR-OLD SELF'S DIRECTOR LEARNS HIS LESSON ON SPEECH COMMENT

TO MY  NINETEEN-YEAR-OLD SELF's co-director Kwok Wai Lun's comment "Shoot it then worry, edit it then worry, release it then worry about it" led to more controversy

When TO MY NINETEEN-YEAR-OLD SELF wins Best Film, two of the students in the film decline to go to the stage

Director Mabel Cheung (third left) went to her alma mater with TO MY NINETEEN-YEAR-OLD SELF students to promote the film, unfortunately the film caused a storm in the end

When THE NARROW ROAD's Wong Hin Yan wins Best Original Film Song, he strongly supports director Lam Sum in his speech

Wong Hin Yan's speech moves Director Lam Sum in the audience
courtesy of mingpao.com

The Mabel Cheung Yuen Ting directed Ying Wa Girls' School documentary film TO MY NINETEEN-YEAR-OLD SELF (CUP SUP GAU SHUI DIK NGOR) two nights ago won the Hong Kong Film Award Best Film amid controversy. She did not attend, as co-director Kwok Wai Lun and the team accepted the award on her behalf. Kwok Wai Lun in his speech encouraged Hong Kong documentary film directors to continue to work hard, not to be afraid. He mentioned the "shoot it then worry, edit it then worry, release it then worry about it" comment, which has caused an extremely large debate online and drawn criticism from many online. Kwok Wai Lun explained that he has learned the lesson from TO, needed to know how to protect creators' productions and films, to avoid problems from happening again, so they would be able to make their movies out in the open.

TO MY NINETEEN-YEAR-OLD SELF received the Hong Kong Film Award Best Film and Cheung Yuen Ting's co-director Kwok Wai Lun was responsible for giving the speech. Kwok Wai Lun thanked Ying Wa Girls' School for their trust and making this documentary film that span 10 years. "Hong Kong documentary film directors, please continue your hard work and make documentary films, don't be afraid, because the times need documentary films to be made, to use cameras to record what is happening to us. Remember not to turn off the equipment, keep shooting, don't be afraid, shoot it then worry, edit it then worry, release it then worry about it."

Kwok Wai Lun spoke to the media after the Awards and talked about how he felt about winning Best Film amid controversy. He said, "It's a part of documentary film, events that the documentary film gave birth to would continue to be shot and discussed. Whether positive or negative, we would accept them." When asked about his comments in his speech would lead to further controversy, was he encouraging directors to do what he suggested? "I think this lesson makes everyone know, how to protect creators' productions and films. After learning from this lesson, we have the experience. We would prevent problems from happening again. We can make our movies out in the open."

Kwok Wai Lun reveled that he asked Cheung Yuen Ting to attend the Hong Kong Film Awards, but the incident still had great impact on her. In addition she has already publicly said that she would not attend, so he accepted the award on her behalf. Has Cheung Yuen Ting sent a text message to him? He said, "I think she probably is very happy. She feels that the 10 years were so tough on us, at the Hong Kong Film Awards, Film Critic Society and the Film Directors' Guild, 3 competitions that represent Hong Kong very well, they gave us awards to encourage us. This type of recognition, any team would be very happy about and very encouraged by. Everyone can imagine that she certainly has grievances. Her speech mentioned falling into darkness, you can imagine how hard to take her emotions have been; but at the same time, this award has given her encouragement. I hope she would slowly walk out of this controversy's darkness. (Would you feel receiving the award is the film's vindication from the industry?) I don't dare to say, I can't represent them. If I speak objectively, they recognize this film's art and content. Can we treat the film as a film and controversy as controversy and keep them separate? I don't know, their recognition of this film, I believe is based on art and content. This film truly deserves it, unfortunately it still hasn't have the opportunity for many people to see it and personally experience what it is. When everyone sees what happens in the movie, I believe we can have fair and just evaluations. (Would you arrange for the film's release again?) This question is more complicated, all sides have to sit down and talk about how to resolve it." Kwok Wai Lun's comments in his speech caused online criticized. Later at the celebration he declined any interview.

Wong Hin Yan with the film THE NARROW ROAD (JAK LO MEI CHUN) won the Best Original Film Score. When he accepted the award he thanked director Lam Sum and the actors. Wong Hin Yan mentioned that he was nominated last year too but did not win. The suit he wore was bought at an auction sale, it was very cheap. Last year he wore it, this year he did not have a sponsor so he kept wearing it. He decided that from now on if he would have the chance to participate in the Hong Kong Film Awards he would keep wearing this suit. "Until the day when I can see all of the movies Lam Sum has made at the movies." The crowd applauded enthusiastically and Lam Sum was especially touched in the audience.

According to data, Lam Sum in 2021 with Ren Xia directed MAY YOU STAY FOREVER YOUNG (SIU NIN). Its story had to do with the 2019 social movement. At the 58th Golden Horse Awards it was nominated for Best New Director and Best Editing. In April last year it was released in Taiwan, but so far it has no release date in Hong Kong.