These Documentaries Dive Deep Into the Humanity of China

Over the past few decades, China's social and economic upheaval has been captured through camera lenses time and again. While there are plenty of films pushing common narratives about the country's people and history, there's another side to the story that's often overlooked. In an effort to shed light on China's true humanity, we've rounded up four documentaries that give voice to ordinary folks while also touching on aspects of the country's social landscape that rarely sees light.

Unfortunately, you won't find these documentaries on Chinese streaming sites, but if you do a bit of digging, you should be able to find them somewhere in the vastness of the Internet (hint: rhymes with new rube). 

Once Upon a Time Proletariat曾经的无产者 (2009)

Consisting of 12 unconnected stories of 12 protagonists that are from all walks of life – including an old farmer who lost his land ownership, a retired arsenal worker, a fish store owner, a 14-year-old who works as a car washer, a barber, and a successful businessman – this 75-minute documentary zeroes in on themes of desire, defeat, confusion, and isolation. With occasional black humor peppered throughout, Proletariat presents a poignant picture of contemporary China after the nation’s great revolutionary days.

Fortune Teller 算命 (2010)

This film features Li Baicheng, a fortune-teller who lives in suburban Beijing village with his blind and mentally-challenged wife. Li services marginalized people including prostitutes and outlaws. As the storyline develops, the police raid the local fortune-telling and prostitution businesses, forcing Li and his wife to seek temporary exile in his old hometown where a series of interesting events unfold.

Beijing Taxi 北京出租车 (2010)

Beijing Taxi, as you might imagine, features three Beijing-based cab drivers who haul around the city during the 2008 Olympic Games, a period of profound transformation for the capital. Superficially, the film captures the drivers' daily struggles with humor and a sense of humanity, while the Beijing streets serve as a stunning backdrop. On a deeper level, however, it's a meditation on this vast and complex society where individuals consistently conflict with the history of a rising nation.

Seeking Chung Kuo 从中国到中国 (2019)

This four-episode series was shot between the early-70s and the 90s by four documentary directors – most notably Michelangelo Antonioni from Italy – as well as France, the US, and Japan. The film features their journey through China as they bear witness to some of the great changes that the country had undergone. It offers a unique insight into the past and present from an objective perspective, and even includes interviews with crew members from the original documentaries.

READ: Exhausted Netflix? Catch Up on the Best Chinese Content it Has to Offer

Photos: Kanopy, Douban