Nora Lam's third documentary, about Edward Leung, a rather controversial figure whom Time magazine included, in 2019, on its “100 Next”, a list of rising stars expected to shape the future, seems to mirror the path of its protagonist, who is now in prison. The film premiered on 2017 at the Hong Kong Arts Centre with both of its initial screenings being sold out in two hours and the film continuing being popular at many screenings at colleges, universities, arts and community venues. However, as of May 2018, no mainstream cinema in Hong Kong was willing to screen it, renewing fears about the continued erosion of freedom of speech and self-censorship in Hong Kong, while in Singapore, the film was classified as M18, which meant that the film was restricted to persons aged 18 or above, because of “political sensitivities”.
“Lost in the Fumes” is Screening at Five Flavours Asian Film Festival
Hong Kong Indigenous is a radical, localist, and nativist political group established in 2015, which is known for both its political stance and its militant tendency of protesting. In January 2016, the group announced the candidacy of its 24-year-old member Edward Leung Tin-kei, for the 2016 New Territories East by-election which was triggered by the resignation of Civic Party legislator Ronny Tong. Leung received 66,524 votes, about 15 percent of the total votes. In February 2016, the group was actively involved in violent clashes with police in Mong Kok arising from the group's call for action to protect illegal street hawkers from a government crackdown. Spokesman and Legislative Council by-election candidate Edward Leung Tin-kei and around 20 members and volunteers of the group were arrested. However, his popularity continued to increase.
In the 2016 Legislative Council election, Edward Leung intended to run once again in New Territories East, endorsed by Youngspiration, another localist group, headed by Baggio Leung. The Electoral Affairs Commission (EAC) carried out a new election measure, requiring all candidates to sign an additional “confirmation form” in the nomination, to declare their understanding of Hong Kong being an inalienable part of China as stipulated in the Basic Law of Hong Kong. Leung initially refused to sign the form but later agreed, after the court refused to hear the judicial review immediately. Leung was banned along with five other pro-independence activists after the end of the nomination period, because the electoral officer was not convinced by his declaration. However, he continued to lend his support during the campaigning period and the final success that saw two members of the Youngspiration elected, Baggio Leung among them. Just after the results however, Edward disappeared, with the director of the documentary tracking him next in the US, amidst of criticism from both localists and pan-democrats for his stance.
Nora Lam follows Edward Leung through the majority of the aforementioned events, in a film, though, that is as political as it is a psychograph of a rather layered persona. In that fashion, the tension of the political aspect of Leung's life, including a violent incident of him being targeted individually, is juxtaposed with a number of scenes where he is sitting by the dock, talking about himself in the most sincere and tranquil fashion, including the intense depression he suffered from.
Through this approach, Lam manages to present a rather thorough portrait of a man whose duality seems to be the main component of his persona. In that fashion, in the first axis, we see a happy, energetic, determined young man who is set on his fight but also has a good time with his “comrades”. On the second, however, Leung emerges as a truly broken man, who is not sure about himself and his actions, with the nook of his potential imprisonment hanging rather heavy over him. This part is highlighted in the calm moments in the dock, but also during the scenes in the US, when a truly different man emerges, through the rather timely questions of Lam.
At the same time, the whole film functions as a presentation of the youth movement in Hong Kong, and their radical stance against all laws of a state (which are essentially guided by the mainland) which seems particularly set on not allowing them to participate in “their democracy”. Through this approach, a number of individuals, including Edward and Baggio, emerge as heroic, despite the fact that their fight emerges as failed on occasion, with the exception of course, of the value of resistance against any kind of injustice. Lastly, their campaign and overall efforts highlight the election process in Hong Kong, both its lawful and its “darker” aspects.
Nora Lam and Nelson Chi's camera follow Leung quite closely, obviously having significant access to both his actions and his thoughts, while the juxtaposition with news footage works quite well for the overall narrative. Lam's own editing is excellent, particularly through the well placed changes between the group actions and Leung talking by himself on camera. The finale, which includes an “official” Hong Kong song followed by Leung singing and playing guitar is a testament to the work done in the editing, with the irony that emerges from the former being palpable.
“Lost in the Fumes” is an impressive documentary that manages to present all its topics and particularly Edward Leung with precision, objectivity thoroughness, and sensitivity.
