Government blocks screening of Kiwi Chow’s Deadline, citing national security

Hong Kong director Kiwi Chow Kwun-wai’s film Deadline has been banned from screening in the city, with authorities citing that it is “contrary to the interests of national security,” following a lengthy four-month review process.

Chow disclosed the decision on social media, saying the film was submitted to the Office for Film, Newspaper and Article Administration (OFNAA) on August 4 and had recently completed its censorship review. The film screened in Taiwan last month.

Produced in Taiwan, Deadline centers on an education-sector scandal, revolving around a shocking “suicide notice” that appears at a high school shortly before final examinations.

According to Chow, the authorities stated that the inspector concluded the film should not be released after “a comprehensive consideration of all relevant matters and factors,” as well as a thorough assessment of its content.

Chow said the ban was based solely on the grounds that the film was “contrary to the interests of national security,” without further explanation provided.

He added that a lawyer had advised against initiating legal action, noting that pursuing a lawsuit might not be meaningful, as an unsuccessful challenge could result in the government seeking legal costs exceeding HK$1 million.

Expressing sadness and anger over the decision, Chow said the ban prevented the film from being shown in his home city. “I look forward to the day when Deadline is screened publicly in Hong Kong,” he added.

It has been speculated that the decision may be linked to Chow’s previous work on politically sensitive documentaries and films, including Ten Years and Revolution of Our Times.