“This is the most difficult time for Hong Kong coaches.”
“Our goal is to make films that live up to the spirit of Hong Kong.”
Famous Chinese actor Zhou Lun-fa (Chow Yun-fat), who visited Korea to attend the 28th Busan International Film Festival (BIFF), spoke bitterly about the Chinese government’s censorship, raising concerns that he could be punished or restricted by the authorities.
At the Asian Film Actor of the Year Awards press conference held at the KNN Theater in Haeundae-gu, Busan on the 5th, Zhou Lun-fa expressed his sadness about the stagnant Hong Kong film industry and his dissatisfaction with the authorities.
He said, “The Hong Kong film industry is subject to script censorship from the government, and in order to make a film, it must go through approval from various departments.” He added, “For Hong Kongers (directors), this is the most difficult time to make a film.”
Zhou Runpa also said, “It is a difficult situation, but we are doing our best. “Our goal is to make a film that retains the spirit of Hong Kong,” he emphasized.
He continued, “The reason Korean movies are interesting is because they have diverse subject matter, and the government’s support also played a part,” adding, “I think creative freedom is also one of the reasons.”
According to the Voice of America (VOA), some netizens are concerned that Zhou Lunfa will get into trouble for making such remarks. There is a possibility that Zhou Lunpa could be punished by the authorities and even have his safety threatened.
Chinese authorities have been restricting prominent Hong Kong celebrities from making anti-China remarks, as leading actors have publicly criticized the government and its policies at international events.
It is known that Zhou Lun-fa was placed on the Chinese government’s celebrity blacklist after expressing support for the protesters during the ‘Hong Kong Umbrella Revolution (democracy protests)’ in 2014. Nevertheless, he is known to have shown his support for the protesters by taking to the streets wearing black, the symbol of the protesters, during the protests against extradition in Hong Kong in 2019.
Source: Donga
Mark Jones is a world traveler and journalist for News Rebeat. With a curious mind and a love of adventure, Mark brings a unique perspective to the latest global events and provides in-depth and thought-provoking coverage of the world at large.