Inside the Red Brick Wall

"Inside the Red Brick Wall" is a documentary that captures a major social event at Hong Kong Polytechnic University in November 2019. During the anti-extradition bill movement, large-scale clashes erupted between protesters and the Hong Kong police near the university. On November 17, protesters were surrounded by police on campus, with water and food supplies cut off and all entrances and exits blocked. The police prohibited access to the area, and the siege lasted until November 28, resulting in the arrest of many protesters.^[3]

From January 10 to 22, 2020, the 13th Hong Kong Independent Film Festival featured the premieres of "Inside the Red Brick Wall" and "Taking Back the Legislature".^[4]

In July 2020, following the enactment of the Hong Kong National Security Law, "Inside the Red Brick Wall" faced intense scrutiny during its Hong Kong release. The Office for Film, Newspaper, and Article Administration (OFNAA) required warnings to be displayed before the screening, including statements such as “may constitute a criminal offense under existing laws” and “some content or commentary may be unverified or misleading.”

On September 21, 2020, just two hours before its scheduled screening at the Hong Kong Arts Centre, the distributor received OFNAA’s approval, which reclassified the documentary as a Category III film, restricting viewers under 18 years old. This led to last-minute ticket refunds for affected audiences.^[5][6]

A DVD submitted for review by the distributor Ying e Chi was returned broken into pieces. Ying e Chi expressed shock and criticized OFNAA for failing to provide a detailed explanation for the damage. OFNAA claimed the damage was due to "staff negligence," sparking public outrage and accusations of intimidation and unprofessionalism.^[7]

In March 2021, Golden Scene Cinema planned to screen "Inside the Red Brick Wall" on March 15 and March 21. On March 11, around 70 people queued outside the cinema to purchase tickets. However, the pro-Beijing newspaper Wen Wei Po published an editorial accusing the documentary of spreading "anti-national sentiments" and violating the Film Censorship Ordinance and the National Security Law, urging OFNAA to ban it.^[8]

On March 15, Golden Scene Cinema abruptly canceled the screenings, citing the need to “avoid unnecessary misunderstandings.”^[9][10] Similarly, the Hong Kong Arts Centre canceled three supplementary screenings scheduled for March 16 to 18, calling the decision "very difficult."^[11]

The 12th TIDF took place from April 30 to May 9, 2021, with venues in Taipei's Shin Kong Cinemas, Spot Huashan Cinema, and the Taiwan Contemporary Culture Lab. "Inside the Red Brick Wall" was chosen as the festival's opening film.^[12]

• Best Editing Award – IDFA (2020)

On November 27, 2020, "Inside the Red Brick Wall" won the "Best Editing Award" at the International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam (IDFA). The jury praised the film, stating it "transforms into a universal story about a small group courageously facing a powerful authority through its writing and editing excellence."^[13]

• Best Film Award – Hong Kong Film Critics Society Awards (2021)

In January 2021, the film received the "Best Film Award" at the 27th Hong Kong Film Critics Society Awards. The critics commended the production team for their calm and rational approach, highlighting the protesters' anguish and struggles during the siege. The documentary was celebrated for its narrative and aesthetic qualities, marking a new milestone for Hong Kong documentaries.^[14][15]

• Robert and Frances Flaherty Prize – Yamagata International Documentary Film Festival (2021)

In October 2021, "Inside the Red Brick Wall" was awarded the Robert and Frances Flaherty Prize in the International Competition category at the Yamagata International Documentary Film Festival, the festival's highest honor. This marked the first time since the award's establishment of over 30 years ago that a Hong Kong film won this prestigious award.^[16]