The Amazon Prime Series ‘Expats,’ Filmed in Hong Kong, Isn’t Available for Viewing in the City

Amazon Prime’s latest drama series, “Expats,” featuring Nicole Kidman, is facing the ironic situation of being set and partly filmed in Hong Kong but currently unavailable for viewing in the city. The series revolves around Kidman’s character, Margaret, an American residing in Hong Kong during the 2014 pro-democracy protests known as the Umbrella Movement. Despite being globally promoted as a release on Amazon Prime, viewers in Hong Kong are met with a message stating it is “currently unavailable to watch in your location.”

The Umbrella Movement, named after the umbrellas used by protesters to shield themselves from pepper spray, witnessed prolonged demonstrations in Hong Kong’s financial district, demanding universal suffrage. The movement faced suppression from authorities, and subsequent crackdowns on dissent and the imposition of a national security law by Beijing in 2020 significantly transformed the political landscape in Hong Kong.

Critics argue that the national security law has stifled political freedoms and opposition in the city. Hong Kong passed a film censorship law in 2021, ostensibly aimed at safeguarding national security, raising concerns about potential impacts on creativity in the renowned local movie industry.

Nicole Kidman, an Oscar-winner, was granted an exemption from strict Covid-19 quarantine rules in 2021 to film in Hong Kong, underscoring the city’s cooperation. However, the current unavailability of “Expats” for Hong Kong viewers raises questions about potential content-related concerns.

Yaqiu Wang, a research director at the nonprofit Freedom House, suggests that scenes depicting the 2014 protests in “Expats” might have triggered concerns related to the national security law. The law’s vagueness has led to self-censorship as individuals are uncertain about the boundaries of permissible expression.

Kenny Ng, director of the Centre for Film and Moving Picture Research at the Hong Kong Academy of Film, speculates that Amazon may be cautious about potential business risks, especially in relation to streaming in China. The streaming giant might be wary of pre-empting any unforeseen challenges by avoiding the broadcast of “Expats” with controversial episodes in Hong Kong.

The move, seen as a potential form of self-censorship by Amazon, is concerning to observers. Wang emphasizes that this exacerbates the already severe environment of self-censorship in Hong Kong, impacting freedom of expression in various industries.

Amazon has not provided official comments on the matter, and the Hong Kong government declined to comment on the operational arrangements of individual businesses. The situation reflects a broader trend in Hong Kong, where several movies and short films have faced censorship or cuts to scenes since October 2021, according to reports from June 2023.

Lulu Wang, the director of “Expats,” explained in a BBC Radio 4 interview that they shot most of the political scenes in Los Angeles, utilizing news footage to represent the 2014 protests accurately. She acknowledged the challenges involved in depicting sensitive content and emphasized the importance of responsible representation.

The unfolding situation with “Expats” raises questions about the intersection of creative freedom, corporate caution, and political sensitivities in the context of Hong Kong’s evolving sociopolitical landscape. The impact on local industries and the broader implications for freedom of expression remain significant concerns.