When a City Rises (2021): cast, story & where to watch
2021 · Film · ★ 7

Released in 2021, When a City Rises is a documentary film directed by Han Yan Yuen, running about 100 minutes.
What it’s about. Behind the gas masks of Hong Kong’s democracy movement, the often very young activists are just as diverse as the youths of the rest of the world. But they share a demand for democracy and freedom. They have the will and the courage to fight – and they can see that things are going in the wrong direction in the small island city, which officially has autonomy under China but is now tightening its grip and demanding that ‘troublemakers’ be put away or silenced. Amid the violent protests, we meet a 21-year-old student, a teenage couple and a new father.
How it landed. With an audience score of 7.0/10, When a City Rises has been warmly received by audiences.
Where to watch. Streaming options change often. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch When a City Rises page.
If you liked it. Fans of When a City Rises tend to enjoy One Direction: This Is Us, Burn the Stage: The Movie, BTS World Tour: Love Yourself - Japan Edition and Senna.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch When a City Rises (2021)?
- Streaming, rental and purchase options for When a City Rises change frequently. Check our where-to-watch page for the latest availability in your country.
- Is When a City Rises worth watching?
- When a City Rises holds an audience score of 7.0 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy documentary. Most viewers rate it highly.
- When was When a City Rises released?
- When a City Rises was released in 2021, with a runtime of about 100 minutes.
