The Golden Bin Awards: Best Documentary, Short Subject

March 31, 2021 0 By Jeff Bulmer

Revolution of our time

In this series based on the Oscars Deathrace series of articles I wrote for The Phoenix News over the last few years, I spotlight my personal picks for this year’s Oscars, as well as some notable snubs.

Winner: Do Not Split

Do Not Split is a raw chronicle of the protests that started in the wake of the 2019 Hong Kong extradition bill and have continued to this day. Following protestors as they clash with police and other Hong Kongers, Do Not Split shows active rebellion more effectively than any news article could.

Director Anders Hammer gets right into the thick of the protests. Footage is recording while running from police, or inside thick clouds of tear gas. Injuries sustained by the protestors are shown directly. When innocent bystanders are caught in the crossfire, Hammer makes sure to get this as well: in one scene, a young girl visiting from Mexico is shown getting her eyes washed out after being hit with tear gas.

Do Not Split very clearly and openly sides with the Hong Kong protestors but acknowledges that the conflict has two sides. Early on, pro-China counter-protestors are seen confronting anti-extradition protestors. Near the 15-minute mark, Carrie Lam is very neutrally shown as she announces the anti-mask law – ironically barely two months before the pandemic would basically undo this.

Do Not Split isn’t a documentary that offers any solutions. How could it? The Hong Kong protests, even two years later, are still ongoing. Instead, Hammer offers essentially raw footage of a guerilla war. While it’s clear the footage is ultimately one-sided, it’s also a real, undeniable document of police brutality and armed resistance.