Plastic China
Plastic China

Movie spotlight

Plastic China

2017
Movie
86 min
Mandarin

This film tells a story about an unschooled 11-year-old girl Yi-Jie, she's a truly global child who learns the world through the United Nations of Wastes while working with her YI minority parents in this recycle workshop thousand miles away from their mountain village home town

Insights

IMDb7.2/10
Rotten Tomatoes95%
Metacritic80/100
Google Users90%
Director: Jiu-liang ZhuGenres: Documentary

Plot Summary

This documentary offers a stark look at the environmental and human cost of China's plastic waste crisis, focusing on families who make a living by sorting through mountains of discarded plastic. It contrasts their challenging lives with the consumption habits of the affluent, revealing a deep social and environmental divide. The film powerfully illustrates the global impact of plastic pollution and the arduous labor involved in its recycling.

Critical Reception

Plastic China was critically acclaimed for its unflinching portrayal of a pressing global issue. Reviewers lauded its powerful visuals and intimate storytelling, highlighting its success in bringing attention to the environmental and social consequences of plastic consumption. The film was recognized for its significant contribution to raising awareness about pollution and the lives of those affected by it.

What Reviewers Say

  • A visually stunning and emotionally impactful documentary.

  • Effectively highlights the global plastic waste crisis and its human toll.

  • Offers a critical perspective on consumption and environmental responsibility.

Google audience: Google users overwhelmingly praised 'Plastic China' for its important message and powerful storytelling. Many commended the film for exposing the realities of plastic recycling and its impact on both the environment and the lives of workers. The documentary was frequently cited as eye-opening and essential viewing for understanding global waste issues.

Awards & Accolades

Nominated for the Grand Jury Prize: World Cinema Documentary at the Sundance Film Festival 2017.

Fun Fact

Director Jiu-liang Zhu spent over two years filming 'Plastic China,' gaining extraordinary access to the families and communities living and working amidst the plastic waste.

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