CO537-6564 — Page 47

COMMUNIST

ACTIVITIES

IN THE HONGKONG

31

FILM INDUSTRY.

The Hong Kong film industry has shown two new

î

trends in response to the abrupt turn of events as a

result of the Korean war. (1) The pro-Communist elements

have recently decided to adopt so-called cover-up' tactics

to cope with unexpected rigorous censorship in the various South-East Asian countries. (2) Prolonged slump has

given rise to the formation of many so-called 'one-film

companies', i.e. film-producing companies with barely enough

money to produce one film whose success or failure decides

the company's life span

COVER-UP TACTICS.

•

Under the guidance of the Communist cultural

directors in Hong Kong, the pro-Communist film producers

and directors have adopted the following methods to 'feel'

the censors abroad:

1.

2.

Two Different Versions.

Most of the recently released pro-Communist

films have two different versions:

(a) the uncut version with outspoken pro-Communist

scenes and dialogue is sent to China;

(b) the overseas version, with such scenes and

dialogue deleted or replaced with seemingly

harmless counterparts, intended for release in

Hong Kong and South-East Asian regions in general.

:

The Flower Street', a recent Great Wall production,

is a case in point.

The Filter-through' Tactics.

These are: to avoid using obviously pro-

Communist themes but to convey pro-Communist ideas

or inspire pro-Communist feelings under the guise

of seemingly harmless scenes and dialogue.

/Examples....