The Hong Kong documentary “Rather Be Ashes Than Dust” had its Taiwan premiere on June 1st, with director Liu Jian Lun, who has over 18 years of experience in filming movies and documentaries in Hong Kong, attending the post-screening discussion in Taiwan. Audience members expressed that they were “very impressed” and hoped that the people of Taiwan would be vigilant against the violence and lies of the Chinese Communist Party, safeguarding Taiwan’s freedom and democracy.
The title of the film, “Rather Be Ashes Than Dust”, is inspired by the poem of American writer Jack London, “Rather be ashes than dust; a spark that may light the faggots, a star that may go out, but a fiery meteor that is capable of lasting forever.” The film is set against the backdrop of the 2019 Hong Kong anti-extradition movement and depicts the firsthand account of independent journalist/filmmaker Liu Jian Lun witnessing the severe police violence against protesters in Hong Kong.
When “Rather Be Ashes Than Dust” premiered at the True Color Theater in Taipei, the audience erupted into thunderous applause at the end of the film, with many shouting slogans in support of the Hong Kong anti-extradition movement: “Liberate Hong Kong, Revolution of Our Times.” During his speech, exiled British director Liu Jian Lun expressed his gratitude, saying, “It’s been a long time since I felt so welcomed, and it’s been a while since I heard the slogan ‘Liberate Hong Kong, Revolution of Our Times.'”
Liu Jian Lun revealed that it took him three years to film the movie and another two years to edit it, with a total of five years of production. Despite it being six years since 2019, he vividly remembers every scene he experienced. He faced emotional challenges during the production of “Rather Be Ashes Than Dust,” experiencing some symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) like many Hongkongers. However, he emphasized the importance of not forgetting history and dedicated the film to all his friends on the frontline in Hong Kong.
The film has been screened in various countries like South Korea, the UK, New Zealand, Australia, Norway, Canada (Toronto), Thailand (Bangkok), Denmark, and the Philippines. Liu Jian Lun mentioned that the dream he had was to screen the movie in Taiwan, and it has finally come true. The Asian screening tour of “Rather Be Ashes Than Dust” kicked off in Taiwan and will move to Japan as the next stop.
In an interview, Liu Jian Lun shared the challenges he faced in creating the film, having to condense 114 minutes of footage out of over a thousand hours. He mentioned emotional turmoil during the editing process, where sometimes he could barely edit a minute a day, feeling like he was reliving the experiences on the scene. Despite financial challenges, he persevered and completed all the work on his own.
Speaking about the narration in English in the film, Liu Jian Lun explained that it was intended for both Hong Kong and Taiwanese audiences familiar with the situation in Hong Kong. However, he pointed out that living in exile in the UK made him realize that the news people in the UK received was often one-sided. By showing “Rather Be Ashes Than Dust” to his British neighbors, they gained a deeper understanding of what Hongkongers had experienced, indicating that the film was also aimed at an international audience.
Liu Jian Lun informed Epoch Times that “Rather Be Ashes Than Dust” had already received recognition at BIFF (Busan International Film Festival), the Best Documentary in the Democracy on the Edge category at the Doc Edge Documentary Festival, and the Best Film of the Democracy on Edge in New Zealand, as well as two special awards at the Napoli Human Rights Film Festival in Italy.
Organizers expressed that many Hongkongers who participated in the anti-extradition movement may have PTSD, urging them to face it bravely and support each other. They encouraged Hongkongers in Taiwan to adapt to civic society actively, as they were on the frontlines against tyranny in Hong Kong before and are now in Taiwan, making a stand for the island’s freedom and democracy.
Mr. Tsai, an audience member, shared with Epoch Times his impressions of the film, saying, “I was very impressed! Apart from the scenes of police and triads beating people and eventually shooting at them, what struck me the most was when the police charged out to attack, and the young people stood up to shield protesters and even tidied up their surroundings in a civilized manner during the lulls.”
Tsai added that during the events in Hong Kong, two million citizens bravely took to the streets in protest. He hoped that more Taiwanese people would step up to defend freedom and their way of life to prevent potential exile in the future. Emphasizing the importance of active engagement through voting or other means, he stressed that Taiwan must show its determination to resist and not rely solely on external assistance.
Sam Law, Chairman of the Taiwan Hong Kong Association, commented that “Rather Be Ashes Than Dust” covers a wide timespan from 1997 to post-enforcement of the National Security Law in Hong Kong, leaving a significant impact on viewers. He praised the courage of Hongkongers in resisting the Chinese regime, especially as the 36th anniversary of the June 4th Tiananmen Square massacre and the sixth anniversary of the anti-extradition movement in Hong Kong approached. Law warned Taiwan not to trust the promises of the Chinese Communist Party and to safeguard freedom and democracy, avoiding becoming the next Hong Kong.
Sam Law added that the courage and perseverance of Hongkongers are enduring qualities that will continue to resist the oppressive rule of the Chinese regime. He believed that with hope and conviction, they would bear good fruit and urged global attention on Hong Kong. He stressed the need for vigilance among Taiwanese people against the threats posed by the Chinese Communist Party, emphasizing unity to protect Taiwan’s freedom and democracy.
Analyzing the situation, advocates explained that the conditions in Hong Kong could potentially replay in Taiwan. They warned of the Chinese regime’s infiltration tactics, highlighting the importance of unity among all political affiliations to resist the coercive influence of the regime. They underlined that regardless of party affiliations, loving and uniting for Taiwan is crucial in countering the Chinese Communist Party.
Some Hongkongers in Taiwan who watched the documentary expressed their sentiments, saying, “I don’t want the first home, Hong Kong, to be destroyed by the enemy (Chinese Communist Party), only for the second home, Taiwan, to face the same threat using the same methods. Taiwan is entirely different from Hong Kong; the Republic of China (Taiwan) is an independent country with full democracy, and we have the power to save the country we love. Therefore, we must share the story of Hong Kong with all our friends in Taiwan.”
Moreover, a Hong Kong student in Taiwan who studied the impact of political violence trauma emphasized that there are currently no specific institutions in Taiwan that address this issue. Encouraging Hongkongers to bravely confront their past, she believed that this act alone is a form of resistance, urging everyone to take care of themselves and each other in the days ahead.
Human rights activist Li Mingzhe, who was detained by the Chinese Communist Party for five years, pointed out that the regime neither adheres to its own laws nor respects international agreements or the “One Country, Two Systems” principle in Hong Kong. Li emphasized that the Chinese Communist Party’s regime is untrustworthy, and “Rather Be Ashes Than Dust” serves as a reminder that Taiwan should not trust any promises made by the CCP.
Expanding on this point, Li Mingzhe underscored that Hongkongers directly face the rule of the Chinese Communist Party, and despite challenges, many continue to preserve the memories and spirit of resistance. He urged Taiwan to safeguard its sovereignty and democratic freedoms, refusing to compromise with an untrustworthy regime like the CCP.
Reverend Chen Xiaowei, reflecting on his involvement and support during the 2019 anti-extradition protests, shared his admiration for those Hongkongers who, upon becoming Taiwanese citizens, viewed Taiwan as their second home and supported initiatives like the recall petition to defend democracy in Taiwan.