To My Nineteen-Year-Old Self

'To My Nineteen-Year-Old Self' is a Hong Kong coming-of-age documentary by Mabel Cheung Yuen-ting, focusing on students at Ying Wa Girls’ School. The film is currently newsworthy due to a dispute over its screening at an Italian film festival. A student featured in the documentary, known as Ah Ling, has publicly stated that she did not consent to the screening, reiterating her previous objections to public showings. Ying Wa Girls’ School reportedly notified Ah Ling of the screening shortly before it was scheduled to occur. Furthermore, director Mabel Cheung has accused Ying Wa Girls’ School of “blatantly lying” regarding the arrangements for the Udine film festival screening. The controversy highlights ethical concerns surrounding documentary filmmaking, particularly regarding informed consent and the long-term impact on participants, and raises questions about the responsibilities of filmmakers and institutions when showcasing such works.