Revolution of the Times

From Singapore to Malaysia, this is the longest cross-border viewing in my life.

Before arriving in Singapore, I knew that "Revolution of the Times" had been screened at the local international film festival a few months ago, and I always hoped that there would be a main screening at that time. Finally, this month's "Revolution of the Times" held a global screening. At that time, Singapore had no shares, but Singapore had a match against Johor Bahru, Malaysia, and the border between Singapore and Malaysia just reopened in April. It's a pity that I learned that the screening was a week after the sale, and according to the message, the tickets were sold out within two minutes!

He left a message on the special page saying that it was a Hong Konger who asked for tickets in Sin Chew, and was really transferred by a good person, so he looked at the troublesome things such as visa clearance and vaccine testing during the Wuhan pneumonia. I casually told my Singaporean friends that it happened that her boyfriend would go to Kulai Sawi New Village in Johor Bahru on the same weekend to find a local friend to stay. It also happened that a friend of Savoy New Village was a volunteer for the screening in Johor Bahru. Fortunately, Savoy New Village was a Hakka village, and Hakka was the subject of my art residency in Singapore. All the luck and coincidences went so well that I had to eat and live. After passing the test without any problems, knowing that I was about to see "The Revolution of the Times", I was a little moved but became nervous again. This feeling is even more pronounced when heading to the screening venue, as if to be respectfully silent.

The screening in Johor Bahru is located in a new and uninhabited area. I heard from my Malaysian friends that it is not easy to rent a venue for this screening, after all, many companies have contacts with China. The screening team also received a phone call from the local police station to inquire about the screening. Several police officers were dispatched to inspect the screening on the day of the screening, so the screening team was on guard.

It is not easy to hold this screening in just one month. Unexpectedly, the screening team put extra effort into producing the "Recover Hong Kong Times Revolution" flag, "Hong Kong Come on" sign, Hong Kong Black Ocean Bauhinia Flag and Lennon Wall , and the video reported in Hong Kong's anti-extradition campaign was played outside the venue. Among the crowd waiting to enter, there was a young volunteer, wearing black clothes, helmets, sleeves, eye patches and pig's mouth "hand and foot" costumes, and took pictures in front of the Black Ocean Bauhinia flag. All the objects and sights that were no longer seen in Hong Kong reappeared in Johor Bahru at once, but unlike the anger during the demonstrations, it seemed relaxed and lively here, and being in it was a bit like a lifetime.

What's even more dreamy is that I can finally watch "Revolution of the Times".

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After the screening, I went to have a late-night snack with the Johor Bahru screening team of more than 20 people. Everyone was obviously relaxed, and they were all smiles even when they were tired. Among them, several young people who were about the same age as the documentary were caught and talked about their aftermath. A 17-year-old girl who came to help with her mother and was learning Cantonese by herself said that she saw it in the middle, and because she felt it was too violent, she went out to breathe; another 22-year-old boy who was about to graduate from college said that he actually I don't quite understand why young people in Hong Kong make such sacrifices. Looking at their shy appearance, it is inevitable to think of young Hong Kong people who are also shy and shy in the movie, but have experienced many disasters.

Some local people sincerely asked me, since I have already experienced it, why should I go to see "The Revolution of the Times". In addition to seeing this drama in Hong Kong, Hong Kong is full of many words contrary to memory, so I want to watch it even more, I want to remember what happened this year - not only the days and facts, but every event brings Impact and feelings for me. Sometimes, I also mentally count the important days of 2019 and 2020 to make sure that I remember where I went, who I went, what I encountered, and what I saw. Looking at the long-lost picture with more than 200 viewers, and then following the picture to recall my own timeline, it seems that I have more solid support.

I was afraid that the pain would be too heavy, so I grabbed a ball of tissue and stuffed my pants pocket before leaving, but it didn't work. Apart from tears for the old Uncle Chen who blamed himself for failing to protect his children, and the unspoken understanding of the parents on the front line, tears seemed to be in the eyes most of the time, but the eyes were actually dry. Yes, I'd rather be happy than tears. The viscera also seemed to expand and get closer, like a balloon testing its limits. When it came time to besiege the university, I started to look down on it a little bit, and I just hoped that this tragic battle that already knew the outcome could end soon.

"Revolution of the Times" made me discover a lot of things that I didn't care about before. For example, Ho Guilan followed up to the Legislative Council on 71. In addition to upholding professional reporting, he couldn't help but whimper at the actions of those in the Legislative Council. Also (surprisingly) did not know that she was attacked in the 721 incident, and the live broadcast was shocking. In addition, I was involved in the Battle of Zhongda and the siege of PolyU. At that time, I didn’t quite understand why I wanted to be water and why I had to defend one place. After watching the play, I at least knew the thinking and mental process of the front line, and I also understood why the old man Will run out on hunger strike, and then protect the child.

Sounds and images also complement some of the memories. The first is the immature voice calling, coordinating, organizing and thinking maturely. The contrast is very worrying. The second is the beauty of the city of Hong Kong - a dense city with green hills facing green water, crowds like flowing water between the buildings, the lights of thousands of houses on the flat ground and high-rise buildings set off the lights on the Lion Rock. Hong Kong in "Revolution of the Times" is full of destruction and sorrow, but it is also beautiful - the naked energy of the city's backlog of problems that have erupted for many years, seems to be the state Hong Kong should be in, at least better than the appearance of orderliness under the epidemic and the National Security Law. Much more beautiful and honest. The third is, of course, "May Glory Return to Hong Kong", which I haven't heard for a long time.

The Malaysian screening team deliberately visited the director and played it after the screening. The director said that he explained to his children the causes, consequences and dangers of making the movie "Revolution of the Times". After listening to the film, the children not only did not worry, but said innocently, "The government will return to a good government after watching the drama." The government that banned the film was doomed to miss this opportunity to "get better". Fortunately, movies are destined to outlive the regime. Therefore, "Revolution of the Times" will one day be screened in Hong Kong, which will serve as a reference for future governments and rulers.

Maybe this is hope.