Filmmaker accuses school of ‘blatantly lying’ in row over documentary screening

Clashes over the screening of a controversial, award-winning Hong Kong coming-of-age documentary at an Italian film festival have escalated, with the director accusing the secondary school at the centre of the dispute of “blatantly lying” about the arrangement for the showing.Acclaimed filmmaker Mabel Cheung Yuen-ting slammed Ying Wa Girls’ School over the documentary’s screening in Udine, expressing shock and “intolerable” disappointment after her alma mater distanced itself from To My Nineteen-Year-Old Self.The school said on Thursday that, as the owner of the film, it would not allow any screenings of the documentary until consent issues with all major cast members were resolved.It added that it had not authorised the documentary to be shown at the Far East Film Festival in the northern Italian city this month.The Mid-Levels school also said it prioritised students’ well-being and holistic development, and remained committed to providing a safe, caring environment that fostered learning.But Cheung, who co-directed the film, said she was “shocked and deeply saddened” by the school’s move to sever ties with the production team.“For the school to blatantly lie to the public is something I find absolutely unacceptable and intolerable,” Cheung said in a joint letter with six other members of the production team.“It is clear the school issued a unilateral statement to cut ties and shirk responsibility. This is not the Ying Wa Girls’ School we know, nor is it how any educator should behave.”Cheung said discussions about the Italian film festival began early this year between the production crew, the school and distributor Golden Scene.She added that she and Golden Scene representative Winnie Tsang met with the school’s principal and vice-principal on February 26 to discuss the screening.“During the meeting, the principal asked the team to prepare a budget for the festival trip and raised no objections to the plan,” she said.A still from Mabel Cheung’s documentary To My Nineteen-Year-Old Self. Photo: HandoutShe also said the principal had informed the students featured in the film in January and noted that all had agreed to the screening except one. As a result, all scenes featuring that student were removed from the planned screening.Further ReadingThe documentary won Best Film at the 41st Hong Kong Film Awards in 2023 despite the controversy, although the win was overshadowed by debates over the protection of minors in documentary filmmaking.Originally part of a fundraising campaign to rebuild the school campus, the film followed six students over a decade, chronicling their personal journeys through turbulent times.Released in February 2023, the film was withdrawn from cinemas within days after one student, Ah Ling, told Ming Pao Weekly it had been screened without her consent.The documentary also drew criticism from Olympic medal-winning cyclist Sarah Lee Wai-sze, who said footage from a 2016 interview with Cheung was used without her approval for commercial release.Last week, concerns resurfaced when the Far East Film Festival announced its 2026 line-up, listing the documentary in its “Out of Competition” section – reserved for films considered of exceptional value but not meeting certain event requirements.Distributor Golden Scene also issued a statement on Thursday rejecting the school’s claim of non-authorisation, calling it inconsistent with the facts and expressing regret over the dispute.The company said that under its distribution contract, the school had authorised it to handle international distribution and festival participation.It added that earlier this year, it met the school’s principal to seek her views, and she raised no objections.Golden Scene further said that controversial segments of the film would not be included in the festival version and that organisers had been informed of the decision.“The company has sought legal advice and did not rule out taking action to protect its reputation and interests,” the firm said.Earlier in the day, the Office of the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data expressed its concern regarding the incident, saying it had proactively contacted the school to ensure the personal data and privacy of the students were adequately protected.