Clashes over the screening of a controversial, award-winning Hong Kong coming-of-age documentary at an Italian film festival have escalated, with the director accusing the secondary school at the centre of the dispute of “blatantly lying” about the arrangement for the showing.
Acclaimed filmmaker Mabel Cheung Yuen-ting slammed Ying Wa Girls’ School over the documentary’s screening in Udine, expressing shock and “intolerable” disappointment after her alma mater distanced itself from To My Nineteen-Year-Old Self.
The school said on Thursday that, as the owner of the film, it would not allow any screenings of the documentary until consent issues with all major cast members were resolved.
It added that it had not authorised the documentary to be shown at the Far East Film Festival in the northern Italian city this month.
The Mid-Levels school also said it prioritised students’ well-being and holistic development, and remained committed to providing a safe, caring environment that fostered learning.
But Cheung, who co-directed the film, said she was “shocked and deeply saddened” by the school’s move to sever ties with the production team.