Private screening called off amid national security risks

Staff reporter

A private screening at Golden Scene Cinema on Sunday - anniversary of the 1989 Tiananmen crackdown - has been called off after some industry representatives told the operators to avoid crowd gathering on the sensitive day.

Online shopping platform AsOne booked a private screening of a documentary, To Be Continued, which features the history of State Theatre in North Point and its founder Harry Odell. A 30-minute talk with the documentary's directors was also scheduled.

"We received a notice from Golden Scene Cinema that they were reminded by some industry representatives that Sunday is a sensitive date that people should avoid gathering activities. The cinema then decided to cancel the screening," the platform said on Facebook.

"The date is so special that we can't even see a movie."

Derek Chu Kong-wai, former pro-democracy district councillor and founder of AsOne, said the sudden cancellation of screening was unexpected, and noted that the previous screenings went smoothly.

Chu said the platform did not choose to hold the screening on June 4 deliberately but scheduled it for Sunday because the directors were not available on weekdays.

A spokesman for the Federation of Hong Kong Filmmakers, Tenky Tin Kai-man, said a movie should be allowed to be screened after it was granted a certificate.

Tin urged the cinema to explain its decision, including who the "industry representatives" are to avoid unnecessary speculations and misinterpretations.

A candlelight vigil for June 4 has not been held at Victoria Park for three years since 2020.

Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu refused to say whether it is legal for people to mourn peacefully at Victoria Park. "In regard to any activities that take place in Hong Kong, the law enforcement agencies, particularly police, will deal with them in accordance with the law," he said.

"Police will take action resolutely, particularly in regard to public order activities. Everybody should act in accordance with the law and think of what they do, so as to be ready to face the consequences."

Secretary for Security Chris Tang Ping-keung has also warned people not to endanger national security on the "upcoming special date."

"Many people intend to make use of the special day to commit acts that endanger national security, including promoting Hong Kong independence and subversion of state power," he said.

"I want to tell these people that the authorities will take action against these behaviors."

Police yesterday said it will act on the basis of actual circumstances.

"Police will make appropriate operational deployment in accordance with the threat to public safety, public order and national security."