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Daniel Leconte (left) with his son Emmanuel. They both directed the documentary on the attack on Charlie Hebdo. Photo: Sam Tsang

Shadow of Paris terror attacks prompt stepped up security for 'Je Suis Charlie' screening at Hong Kong French film festival

Documentary on Charlie Hebdo killings prompts 'specific measures' after Paris attacks but the festival organisers say the show must go on

Security measures for Hong Kong screenings of a French documentary about the terror attack on the office in January have been stepped up following the recent attacks in Paris and worldwide terror alerts.

But the father and son directors of , who are in the city to meet the audience today at a screening of the documentary, said anyone could be a target of terrorists despite tightened security measures and the best way to react is not to retreat but to celebrate the lives of victims.

In a rally to show solidarity for the victims of the attack on the Charlie Hebdo offices, people stand on the statue of the Republic square next to a graffiti reading "I am Charlie" in Paris. Photo: AFP

Stephane Joly, director of Alliance Francaise de Hong Kong, the non-profit organisation presenting French Cinepanorama which hosts two showings of , told the that "specific measures" were being taken for the screenings - today at the City Hall and December 5 at the Hong Kong Film Archive.

"We took some security measures … For obvious reasons we can't go into details, but we secured the screenings," Joly said.

The attacks in the French capital on November 13 killed 130 people.

"We decided to maintain the screenings of the documentary, because it's important to raise awareness of freedom of expression. We think it's important to set our values and discuss these issues," the organiser added.

French Cinepanorama, also known as the Hong Kong French Film Festival, is one of the official French cultural programmes in Hong Kong, and is the oldest international film festival in the city. It has run without interruption for 44 years.

There are currently about 18,000 French people in Hong Kong - making it one of the biggest expatriate communities.

"There is currently no specific intelligence to suggest that Hong Kong is likely to be a target of terrorism. Hong Kong's terrorist threat level remains 'moderate'," said a police spokesman.

"Strengthening counterterrorism work is one of the operational priorities of the commissioner of police in 2015.

"To prevent terrorist activities from taking place in Hong Kong, the force will monitor terrorist trends ... and deploy counterterrorist patrols at critical infrastructure and sensitive premises," he said.

- originally a slogan adopted by millions who showed support for - was premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in September. It revisited the killing of 12 people on January 7 - including editor "Charb" and some of France's best known cartoonists.

Directors Daniel Leconte, 66, and his son Emmanuel, 33, told the that they could link the November attacks to the attack.

"If you look at what happened in January, you can see the seeds of what happened in November," said Emmanuel.

"It's the same hatred, the same way of killing people and targeting people who want to live freely … The January attacks were an opening act of a war."

On November 13, the father and son were both at home watching the live broadcast of the international friendly soccer match between France and Germany taking place at the Stade de France, one of the attack locations. They said the attacks were expected, but the results were devastating.

But instead of focusing on terrorists' strategies, the directors focused on the stories of those who survived the attacks.

"We try to tell people what it is like to be a victim, and that you could be the next victim," said Daniel. "They want to kill you."

is a satirical magazine founded in 1970. Its controversial cartoons of the Prophet Mohammed are seen as offensive by Muslims.

But to Daniel and Emmanuel, freedom of expression and liberty are crucial in free societies.

The cover of the Charlie Hebdo magazine after the terror attack in Paris on November 13, reads "They have weapons, Screw them, We have Champagne". Photo: AFP

"The best response we can give to this kind of attack is to celebrate the people they are targeting," said Emmanuel. "They were artists, intellectuals and journalists. These guys are legends."

Emmanuel said he was contemplating the possibility of a new film on the November 13 Paris attacks. " It's my generation that has been targeted," he said.

But Daniel said he would not be involved.

Qamar Minhas, chairman of the Incorporated Trustees of the Islamic Community Fund of Hong Kong, hoped films and the media could show a balanced representation of Muslims.

French Cinepanorama runs until December 10, screening around 60 films.

This article appeared in the South China Morning Post print edition as: Terror fears stalk HK French film fest
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