From the organizer: In this documentary, German reporter Hugo Portisch takes us in the streets of the famous and peculiar Kowloon Walled City.
Located in Kowloon City, Hong Kong, the Walled City started as a small Chinese military outpost in the 17th century. After the Opium war and the handover of Hong Kong and the New Territories to Britain, the military city was however excluded from the lease and from then on, remained in an ambiguous situation: geographically on the British territory while politically under sovereignty of the disinterested Qing Dynasty.
De facto ungoverned, the city grew organically over the decades. But from the first influx of refugees of the 1940s, the population started rising exponentially and, by the 1980s, the 2.6-hectare land was home to some 33.000 people. Making their life in 10 to 20 sqm apartments were families, elders, one-person businesses, criminals, drug addicts, prostitutes - all being illegals. Within the limits of the former walls, they expanded the city vertically, building houses atop of each other up to 14 floors, with the help of no architect or engineer, with no consideration for public infrastructure or any kind of masterplanning. Water and electricity were siphoned from the outer world, while police forces didn’t dare to get inside the maze.
The absence of legal recognition enabled the city to develop into a gigantic production centre: “the man was cheaper than the robot” comments Portisch – it’s a godsend for Hong Kong’s established businesses. From popular dim sum restaurants to steel or fake bags sellers, every chain could find its source in the walled city.
This visit along with Mr Portisch is a fascinating but raw view of the dark side of Hong Kong’s economic miracle…
Director: Hugo Portisch
Released: 1988
Runtime: 45 minutes
German with dual English-Vietnamese subtitles
>> SPECIAL PARTY
We are celebrating An Ordinary City's first birthday and for the occasion would like to invite you to a little party. It's particularly the occasion to know more about the initiative and its projects for the year to come. A few specialties will be prepared: stay tuned!
Programme:
6.30 PM: start of birthday party
7 PM: Announcement: Throwback An Ordinary City + What’s next
8 PM: Film screening: Kowloon Walled City
9 PM: Discussion / Ending
>> TICKETS
Combo (Party + Movie): 150.000 VND / students: 80.000 VND (includes a drink)
Party only OR Movie only: 100.000 VND / students: 50.000 VND
Please RSVP : https://ticketbox.vn/
Why tickets this time? We need your help to carry on our activities. By buying tickets, you will help An Ordinary City and Salon Saigon bring you more amazing events and activites. Thank you for your collaboration!
Tuesday, 28 March
6:30pm - 10:00pm
Salon Saigon | 6D Ngo Thoi Nhiem, D3, Ho Chi Minh City
