China's Rebel City: The Hong Kong Protests(2020)
"The battle for Hong Kong's future."
Overview
China's Rebel City: The Hong Kong Protests is a comprehensive documentary account chronicling the 2019 Hong Kong anti-government protests that pushed the city to the brink and reshaped its political landscape. This documentary is a gritty, no-holds-barred audiovisual account of the political turmoil and social chaos that unfolded during months of demonstrations. The series draws on hundreds of hours of footage and features expertise and ground-zero reporting from award-winning journalists, providing an in-depth look at one of the most significant political events in recent Hong Kong history. The documentary tells the dramatic story of a city at the crossroads, drawing from extensive video footage, exclusive interviews with key stakeholders, and unparalleled access to ground-zero reporting. It won best documentary feature at the Cannes World Film Festival and an Online Journalism Award in the "2021 Digital Video Storytelling, Series" category.
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Written on October 7, 2025
**China's Rebel City: The Hong Kong Protests** is a masterful documentary achievement that captures one of the most significant political crises in Hong Kong's modern history. This four-part series produced by the South China Morning Post provides an unflinching audiovisual account of the 2019 protests, delivering both journalistic rigor and emotional resonance.
What sets this documentary apart is its remarkable access and on-the-ground perspective. The filmmakers draw upon the expertise and ground-zero reporting of SCMP's award-winning journalists, giving viewers an insider's view of the tumultuous events as they unfolded. The result is a gripping narrative that doesn't shy away from complexity, presenting multiple perspectives on the protests that shook Hong Kong to its core.
The documentary excels in its comprehensive approach, tracing the crisis from its origins in the controversial extradition bill through the escalating confrontations that followed. The filmmakers skillfully weave together exclusive interviews with key stakeholders, dramatic protest footage, and incisive analysis to create a nuanced portrait of a city in turmoil.
The documentary's excellence has been recognized internationally, winning best documentary feature at the Cannes World Film Festival and an Online Journalism Award in the *2021 Digital Video Storytelling, Series* category—well-deserved accolades for a work of such journalistic courage and cinematic power.
**China's Rebel City** is essential viewing for anyone seeking to understand this pivotal moment in Hong Kong's history. It's a testament to the power of documentary filmmaking to illuminate complex political struggles with clarity, humanity, and unwavering commitment to truth.
