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Deep Dive: Lessons in Dissent (2014)

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Lessons in Dissent
Lessons in Dissent is a documentary that follows young political activists in Hong Kong during the protests against the Moral and National Education curriculum in 2011 and 2012. The film centers on Joshua Wong, a secondary school student who founded the student group Scholarism, and Ma Jai, a school drop-out involved with the League of Social Democrats. Both activists believed the curriculum was a form of brainwashing and took significant risks by protesting against it. The film captures their experiences, including their arrests and the eventual success of their protests, which led to the curriculum being made optional. Premiered at the 38th Hong Kong International Film Festival on March 29, 2014, the film gained attention again during the Umbrella Revolution later that year, particularly due to Wong's prominent role in the movement. It has been screened internationally and is available on various platforms.

Why Watch

  • •Meet Joshua Wong, a key figure in Hong Kong's political activism.
  • •See the protests that shaped Hong Kong's education policy.
  • •Follow the journey of young activists fighting for change.

Did You Know

•Joshua Wong founded Scholarism at the age of 14 in 2011.
•The film premiered on March 29, 2014, at the Hong Kong International Film Festival.
•Both Wong and Ma Jai were arrested during their protests against the curriculum.
•The National Education curriculum was made optional due to their protests.

Perfect For

Hong Kong politicsYouth activismEducational reform