The local work "Darkroom Night Sky", which has the theme of gay men and won the Golden Horse Award for Best Animated Short Film in 2017, was originally scheduled to be screened at the "First Flatland Video Learning Project" next Sunday (14th), but it was unexpected. Received a notice from the Electric Inspection Office, citing the newly revised "Electric Inspection Regulations" involving national security review guidelines, and requiring the deletion of pictures. After consultation with the creative team, the conference decided to refuse the request and announced the cancellation of the physical screening of the works.
Looking through the clip, you can see that the picture flashes an umbrella pattern and a yellow banner with the words "I want it", and a small blue square with the words "Don't forget the original intention" written on it. 31 seconds.
The Metropolitan University to which the production team belongs has been uploaded to the Youtube channel, but today it has been set as a "private video" and cannot be viewed.
"Hong Kong 01" has made inquiries to the Metropolitan University, the Film and Newspaper Office and the Commerce and Economic Affairs Bureau respectively, and is waiting for a reply.
"Darkroom Night Sky" was the work of Shi Jiajun, Wong Chun-lang and Wong Tsz-ying, graduates of the Department of Creative Arts of the Open University (now renamed Metropolitan University), and won the Best Animated Short Film at the 54th Golden Horse Awards.
(Screenshot of the short film "Darkroom Night Sky"/file picture)
The Flatland Film Society, established by local independent filmmakers, will be held on Saturday and Sunday (13th and 14th), screening films selected by the curatorial students of Flatland Films, graduates of the Department of Creative Arts of Metropolitan University "Darkroom Night Sky", created by Wong Chun-lang, Wong Tsz-ying and Shi Jia-jun and won the Golden Horse Award by Zeng Yong, is one of them.
However, "Pingdi Yingshe" announced on the FB page yesterday that it needs to cancel the physical screening arrangement of "Darkroom Night Sky".
In response to the inquiry, "Pingdi Cinemas" stated that it had submitted the "Film Submission Form" to the Electricity Inspection Office last month, but recently received a prescription reply, mentioning that if the production team does not delete the specified clips as required, it will not be able to obtain IIA-level films. Ratings, and no film approval certificate will be issued, meaning no public screenings will be held.
"Darkroom Night Sky" is based on the real events of local young gays, reflecting their struggles and feelings of powerlessness in the face of society, including their relationship with their fathers.
(Screenshot of the short film "Darkroom Night Sky"/file picture)
"Pingdi Yingshe" originally screened "Darkroom Night Sky" on Sunday (14th), but was asked by the Electrical Inspection Office to delete the screen. The screen only took up less than one second of the film, and flashed the umbrella pattern and the words "I want it". A yellow banner and a small blue square with the words "Don't forget your original intention" written on it.
(file picture)
"Darkroom Night Sky" is based on the theme of sexual minorities, and is presented in animation and mixed media, including hand-painted, watercolor, crayon and paper-cut interlacing. Looking through the clips, we can see that the pictures that the Electrical Inspection Office instructed to delete are drawn with simple lines. , fences, tents and pedestrians. There is no mass demonstration scene, but the umbrella pattern and the words "I want" appear on the yellow banner on the left side of the clip, and four small blue squares are painted on the far right side. The words "Don't forget the original intention" are written on it, and the relevant pictures only occupy less than one second of the film length.
The animation is about 7 minutes and 31 seconds long.
"Pingdi Cinemas" replied that the prescription mainly cited Article 10 (2) and (3) of the "Film Censorship Ordinance".
Under the relevant provisions, the prescription's supervisors and inspectors must consider "whether the release of the film would be detrimental to national security."
"Pingdi Yingshe" stated that the creative team of "Darkroom Night Sky" decided not to accept the request of the electrical inspection office and cut any clips, so the physical screening of "Darkroom Night Sky" will be cancelled.
"Darkroom Night Sky" won the Golden Horse Award for Best Animated Short Film in 2017. Metropolitan University, which the production team belongs to, also uploaded it to
its Youtube channel at that time, and it can still be viewed yesterday.
However, it has been set as "Private Video" today and cannot be played.
"Hong Kong 01" has made enquiries to the Metropolitan University, the Film and Newspaper Office and the Commerce and Economic Affairs Bureau respectively, and is waiting for a reply.
"Darkroom Night Sky" won the Golden Horse Award for Best Animated Short Film in 2017. Metropolitan University, which the production team belongs to, also uploaded it to its Youtube channel at that time, and it can still be viewed yesterday.
However, it has been set as "Private Video" today and cannot be played.
(Screenshot of Metropolitan University Youtube channel)
"Pingdiyingshe" quoted the creative team of "Darkroom Night Sky" as saying that they declined to accept interviews for the time being.
"Darkroom Night Sky" is based on the real events of local young comrades, reflecting their struggle and powerlessness in the face of society.
"Hong Kong 01" once visited the creative team in 2017. One of the winners, Huang Junlang, said in an interview that he was very surprised by the award, thinking it was an affirmation for the local animation industry, "Many people think that local animation may not necessarily be the case. There is a standard, but in fact, since graduation, I have participated in major competitions. In fact, there are many energetic animators in Hong Kong. I hope Hong Kong people can support Hong Kong-made animation more.” He also hoped that the public can get rid of social labels through the short film. Cognitive minority, non-mainstream group.
Further reading: [Golden Horse Awards 2017] Animated Short Film Wins OUHK Award Winner: Hong Kong Animation Industry Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon
[Golden Horse Awards 2017] 200-square-foot industrial building with a rainbow best animation presentation
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