Prime Video’s latest drama, ‘Expats’, delves into the lives of three American women whose paths intersect in Hong Kong during the pivotal year of 2014. This specific timeframe isn’t just a narrative choice but is deeply rooted in its source material – the 2016 novel ‘The Expatriates’ by Janice Y. K. Lee.
Hong Kong’s Umbrella Revolution Explained
Set against the backdrop of one of Hong Kong’s most turbulent periods, the Umbrella Revolution, both the novel and its screen adaptation capture the essence of this critical moment. The Umbrella Revolution, which began on September 22, 2014, in the special administrative region of the People’s Republic of China, was characterized by a series of peaceful protests and acts of civil disobedience.
The heart of these protests was a reaction to electoral reforms proposed by the National People’s Congress. These reforms limited the selection of candidates to two or three individuals, handpicked by a 1200-member committee largely aligned with the Chinese government. This came two decades after the United Kingdom relinquished control of its former colony, acknowledging China’s sovereignty over the territory.
The protests earned their name as demonstrators used umbrellas to shield themselves from tear gas and pepper spray used by security forces in an attempt to quell the gatherings.
Joshua Wong: The Face of the Revolution
Key to the Umbrella Revolution were the Occupy Central with Love and Peace movement and the Scholarism student council. A prominent figure in these protests was 17-year-old student Joshua Wong. Wong played a crucial role in mobilizing Hong Kong’s students and leading public demonstrations against the system.
Though the protests marked a significant shift in regional consciousness, they fell short of achieving their goal of universal suffrage. However, they laid the groundwork for subsequent movements against the system in regions under Chinese influence, such as Taiwan and Thailand.
The story of the Umbrella Revolution, integral to understanding ‘Expats’, offers a glimpse into a pivotal moment in Hong Kong’s history and its ongoing struggle for democracy and autonomy.
