At Showroom Cinema, we are continuing our celebration of East Asian cinema with a screening of Blue Island, directed by Chan Tze Woon (Yellowing, 2016) on the 17 December.

Blue Island is the formation of documentary footage, fictional retelling, and visions of the future against a backdrop of activist action in Hong Kong.This film comes after the 2019 anti-extradition law amendment movement and encapsulates the struggle for Hong Kong’s freedom from the 1960s to today and into the future. Blue Island weaves together the memories of older generations’ historical experiences with the struggles of younger generations preserving their rights today, for themselves and future generations.

This film documents 2019 protests using footage, interviews and reenactments from four young participants. These four perspectives are compared to three older real-life characters who engaged in Hong Kong rebellions in their youth; political events which are depicted through reconstructions in Blue Island. These protagonists are separated by time and history, yet there are poignant parallels between their lives, with their similarly defiant backgrounds and chaotic predicaments. The narrative style touches on both documentary and drama, blending archival materials, interviews and behind-the-scenes footage to weave an expansive tapestry that encompasses these tumultuous eras. 

Blue Island comes at a significant point in time when Hong Kong is fighting to remain separate from China. Originally, it was promised that Hong Kong could retain its independence from the Chinese state until 2047, however, in recent years, China has been consolidating its power over the metropolis by suppressing large-scale protests and threatening to repeat history. 

Director Chan Tze Woon, a voice for the younger generation and advocate for the protests, doesn’t shy away from telling all. Blue Island follows on from his critically acclaimed title Yellowing (2016) where he filmed one-on-one accounts of the Umbrella protests with his peers. Now he has taken a greater leap, talking to protest leaders and uncovering new footage. Blue Island has been likened to Revolution of Our Times (2021), with both films serving as fearless calls for action. 

Blue Island is coming to Showroom Cinemafor a one-off screening and will be introduced by Dr. Wayne Wong, lecturer in East Asian Studies from the University of Sheffield. The feature will be followed by a Q&A with special guest, Director Chan Tze Woon. Tickets are on sale now. 

This article first featured in the Sheffield Telegraph on Thursday 08 December 2022