Full Breakdown
Dispute Over Hong Kong Documentary Leads to Withdrawal from Italian Film Festival
4/12/2026, 11:39:22 PM
Overview of the Controversy
The award-winning Hong Kong documentary *To My Nineteen-Year-Old Self* has been withdrawn from the Far East Film Festival in Udine, Italy, following escalating disputes among stakeholders. The film's distributor, Golden Scene, announced the withdrawal, citing "recent developments" and expressing regret over the situation. The documentary, co-directed by Mabel Cheung Yuen-ting, chronicles the lives of six students from Ying Wa Girls’ School over a decade, capturing their personal journeys during tumultuous times.
Background of the Documentary
Initially released in February 2023 as part of a fundraising initiative for the school, *To My Nineteen-Year-Old Self* faced immediate backlash when one of the featured students, Ah Ling, revealed she had not consented to the public screening. This revelation prompted the film's withdrawal from cinemas shortly after its debut. The documentary later gained recognition, winning Best Film at the 41st Hong Kong Film Awards, despite ongoing debates regarding the ethical considerations of documentary filmmaking involving minors.
Key Figures Involved
Mabel Cheung Yuen-ting, the film's co-director and an alumna of Ying Wa Girls’ School, has been vocal in her criticism of the school. She accused the institution of "blatantly lying" about the arrangements for the film's screening and expressed disappointment over its decision to distance itself from the project. Ying Wa Girls’ School, which claims ownership of the film, stated it would not permit screenings until consent issues with all major cast members were resolved.
Official Statements & Responses
Ying Wa Girls’ School emphasized its commitment to student well-being and stated it had not authorized the documentary's screening at the festival. In contrast, Golden Scene rejected the school's claims, asserting that it had been authorized to manage international distribution and festival participation. The distributor indicated that it had previously consulted with the school's principal, who raised no objections to the festival plans. Golden Scene also noted that controversial segments of the film would be excluded from the festival version.
Criticism & Opposition
The controversy surrounding *To My Nineteen-Year-Old Self* has drawn criticism from various quarters. Cheung and her production team expressed their discontent with the school's handling of the situation, arguing that the unilateral decision to sever ties was unacceptable. Additionally, Olympic medal-winning cyclist Sarah Lee Wai-sze criticized the use of footage from her interview without her consent, further complicating the film's reception.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Discrepancies have emerged regarding the consent of the students featured in the documentary. While Cheung stated that all but one student had agreed to the screening, the school maintains that it will not allow any screenings until all consent issues are resolved. This conflicting narrative raises questions about the ethical practices in documentary filmmaking, particularly concerning minors.
What's Next
The Office of the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data has expressed concern over the incident and is engaging with Ying Wa Girls’ School to ensure the protection of students' personal data and privacy. The future of *To My Nineteen-Year-Old Self* remains uncertain as stakeholders navigate the legal and ethical implications of the ongoing dispute.
