[2206.04.24] FISH LIEW'S NEW FILM BASED ON THE MANILA HOSTAGE CRISIS CAUSES ONLINE CONCERN ABOUT SECONDARY DAMAGE

Fish Liew plays the shooter's relative and reporter in the film

The trailer reminds people of the past live news coverage and inevitably upsets some online

Fish Liew in another film plays a blue haired otaku.
courtesy of on.cc

The fresh out of the oven Hong Kong Film Awards Best Actress, Fish Liew Chi Yu became famous as soon as she won. The films she has made in the past have also been arranged for release one after another. However one of the films adapted from the hostage incident in Manila, Philippines many years ago announced that it would be released in Hong Kong, which caused controversy from the outside world. The work was accused of causing secondary harm to those involved and the people of Hong Kong, and was even suspected of "pouring salt on the wound".

Liew Chi Yu plays the gunman's relative and reporter in the movie BEYOND THE HOSTAGE CRISIS (JAU CHOOK YUN JI SI GEIN), which opened with the perspective of survivor Yik Siu Ling. The film was adapted from a serious hostage-taking incident that occurred in the Philippines on August 23rd, 2010, when Mendoza, a former Philippine law enforcement officer, took a Hong Kong tour group tour bus with 25 people hostage. The crisis lasted about 12 hours and eventually caused 8 deaths and 7 injuries. At that time Hong Kong television stations broadcast the entire process live, leaving many Hong Kong people traumatized and even causing collective post-traumatic stress disorder.

Reportedly the film started production in Malaysia in 2022. Leung Hung Wah directed the "gospel movie", and even invited Yik Siu Ling herself to be a consultant to ensure the authenticity of the story. So the general public would be able to evaluate the incident anew and pay attention to history hopefully through the visual format.

Many online felt heartache after seeing the trailer, worried that the movie might cause secondary harm to the survivors and the families of the victims, and some said that the film was like pouring salt on the wounds of Hong Kong people. "The incident is very shocking to Hong Kong people", "All Hong Kong people probably have watched the live broadcast back then, it is an indelible pain", "It will be difficult for he families of the victims." However, some people believed that movies play an educational role, helping young people who have never experienced this to understand history, promote reflection and vigilance, and emphasize that "if it is filmed, it will not be forgotten" and "the new generation has the right to know what happened that day." Some online even gave examples of the Titanic shipwreck was also made into a movie.

In addition, Liew Chi Yu co-starred with Michael Ning (Bak Ji) and Rachel Leung Yung Ting in the movie DOG DAY EVENING (YUT GOR BO MOON DIK DAN SUN), which released its trailer and stills. Liew Chi Yu boldly transformed in the film with deliberately dyed bright blue hair and bleached eyebrows. Completely different from the previous style, she even had to wear the TV station's mascot costume under the high temperature. She said with a smile, "This time I really have to let go of myself, there are actually many inner monologues and explosive scenes under the appearance of the otaku girl, which is an all new challenge for me."