Curator
— Ken Berthel, Assistant Professor of Chinese, Whittier College
Plastic China
Reveals the unsafe conditions in which adults and children alike toil, as they seek to eke out a basic living by processing toxic plastic waste products.
Curator
This film was selected by Ken Berthel, Assistant Professor of Chinese, Whittier College
Why I chose this film
This polished and engaging documentary is of value to educators in numerous fields who wish to expose students to the impacts of consumption and globalization in China.
Plastic China is a film that inspires discussion about a number of salient topics, including globalization, modernity, rural-urban divide, and the human and environmental impacts of consumerist culture. As all of these issues are also raised in fictional works from the Chinese film canon —including Wang Xiaoshuai’s Beijing Bicycle, Jia Zhangke’s The World, and even Zhang Yang’s Shower— presenting Plastic China as a testament to the real-life issues to which fictional counterparts refer can enhance the impact of fictional and documentary narrative alike.
Teacher's guide
Please see the teacher's guide for maps, background information, suggested subjects, questions and activities.
Synopsis
Plastic China’s main character, Yi-Jie, is an unschooled 11-year-old girl whose family works and lives in a typical plastic waste household-recycling workshop. She learns about the outside world sorting through the plastic refuse imported from the USA, Europe, and Japan that surrounds her. Small packs of discarded instant black powder tells her the bitter taste of “coffee,” the English children’s learning cards teach her words like “summer” and “father’s day,” and discarded plastic dolls are her toys. This is her world.
Her father, Peng, had promised to send her to school five years earlier but not yet delivered. Instead, he spends much of his hard-earned money from the plastic workshop on alcohol. However, Yi-Jie keeps her wish alive of going to school one day, and we see her holding her playful campaign towards learning and schooling. Will she succeed to sit in a classroom and learn? Or will she succeed her parents as an illiterate laborer in the recycling workshop?
The environmental justice focus of the film
Plastic China reveals the unsafe conditions in which adults and children alike toil, as they seek to eke out a basic living by processing toxic plastic waste products that they know are polluting their rivers and lakes, contaminating the air that they breathe, and compromising their health in noticeably painful ways. The film exposes not only a disparity between Western lifestyles of consumption and those who deal with the concomitant waste, but also in the hierarchical structure of facility owners and the workers they employ for low compensation in unhealthy and sometimes abusive environments.
If time is short, a selection of four excerpts with a running time of 35 minutes can be viewed at Plastic China (Selected Excerpts)
Download the teacher's guide for Plastic China (PDF)
| Line | |
| 000 | It's so hard to dig |
| 001 | Keep on digging |
| 002 | We're gonna build a house, and sleep in it tonight |
| 003 | Use these plastics for covering, we'll be warm |
| 004 | Use some plastic cover to make it look like a door |
| 005 | PLASTIC CHINA |
| 006 | Tsingdao Harbor |
| 007 | China is the leading importer of plastic wastes from Japan, Korea, Europe, and USA. |
| 008 | Kun Factory owner |
| 009 | I make a living by recycling plastic |
| 010 | It's not bad for a farmer |
| 011 | I don't have other skills |
| 012 | only dirty works like this |
| 013 | so I can support my family |
| 014 | make more money, give them better lives |
| 015 | QiQi Kun's son |
| 016 | Peng from Sichuan Employee |
| 017 | It's broken |
| 018 | We've been here for four years |
| 019 | In my hometown, we live at the mercy of Mother Nature |
| 020 | I was diagnosed with arthritis |
| 021 | so I can't support my family |
| 022 | Working here is easier than staying at home |
| 023 | Yi Jie Peng's daughter |
| 024 | I don't like it here, I like Sichuan better |
| 025 | All my friends are there |
| 026 | My uncle and grandma are in Sichuan |
| 027 | My uncle misses me, I miss him too |
| 028 | Move |
| 029 | Put them in here |
| 030 | - Take care of him. - OK. |
| 031 | Come here, Yi Qiu |
| 032 | I like this |
| 033 | and this |
| 034 | and... |
| 035 | ...this one |
| 036 | Scram |
| 037 | The stuff here is all imported |
| 038 | All kinds of things, so gross |
| 039 | Some plastics smell horrible |
| 040 | Also disgusting |
| 041 | See, I have balloons |
| 042 | My mom found them |
| 043 | Ah Zi Peng's son |
| 044 | Go pack the bags |
| 045 | Hurry up |
| 046 | Go pack |
| 047 | - Hurry - You scared me |
| 048 | Hurry up |
| 049 | What? |
| 050 | Go help your wife |
| 051 | This is why Peng left home and came here, just for money, right? |
| 052 | Come on, he has four kids |
| 053 | Look at him, always complaining about his salary |
| 054 | Just quit drinking... |
| 055 | and another baby on the way |
| 056 | The school only takes children who are around three years old |
| 057 | - How much is the tuition? - I don't know |
| 058 | Let me call them |
| 059 | We have no money to send QiQi to school |
| 060 | We have no money |
| 061 | All the money is put into the production |
| 062 | After the pellets are produced, then we could afford the tuition |
| 063 | Just wait for a little longer, let him stay at home for now |
| 064 | We need... |
| 065 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 baskets |
| 066 | This is a flyer for students at school |
| 067 | QiQi will be like this when he goes to school |
| 068 | He will do this |
| 069 | He couldn't even count 1, 2, 3 |
| 070 | Why bother go to school? |
| 071 | - You are wrong - I'm right |
| 072 | No |
| 073 | Yes |
| 074 | No |
| 075 | Yes |
| 076 | Yes |
| 077 | 52 61 |
| 078 | 72 75 |
| 079 | Total of 79 hours |
| 080 | You earned more than $240 |
| 081 | About $6 per day |
| 082 | - Nothing left after food and drink - Then quit drinking |
| 083 | That's the purpose of making money |
| 084 | Drinking? |
| 085 | I can't eat anything without beer |
| 086 | Your kids couldn't even go to school |
| 087 | My salary is too low |
| 088 | Look at them |
| 089 | I take one step at a time |
| 090 | I'm like a bird |
| 091 | Flying aimlessly, searching for food |
| 092 | There is nothing I can do |
| 093 | I've never gone to school either, |
| 094 | I couldn't care if she goes to school or not |
| 095 | They'll go after we return home next year. Education is free in our village |
| 096 | - Want to speak to grandma? - Sure |
| 097 | Is your Dad working? |
| 098 | Yeah, he is sorting the plastic |
| 099 | - Will you help him? - Yeah |
| 100 | - Really? - Yep |
| 101 | - Do you know how to sort plastic? - Yes, I do |
| 102 | But you have to take care of the baby |
| 103 | Will you be back soon? |
| 104 | In two months |
| 105 | Talk to you later... |
| 106 | How are you, grandma? |
| 107 | I'm good |
| 108 | I heard you are coming back, I'm so happy |
| 109 | In my hometown, we have everything |
| 110 | There are horses, goats, and cow |
| 111 | chicken and ducks |
| 112 | pigs |
| 113 | and baby pigs |
| 114 | There are apples, oranges, and grapes |
| 115 | We pick our own grapes and eat them |
| 116 | I want to go to school |
| 117 | But my dad wouldn't let me, because we don't have money |
| 118 | QiQi, where is this place? |
| 119 | Where is this place? |
| 120 | You all shush |
| 121 | This is water |
| 122 | - The United States. - The United States? |
| 123 | The United States |
| 124 | American people are cooling themselves in the ocean |
| 125 | You have no idea |
| 126 | They cover themselves with blanket |
| 127 | They have solar water heater at home |
| 128 | We've got the sun too |
| 129 | Let me see |
| 130 | Oh no |
| 131 | The electricity bill is going up |
| 132 | This month's electricity is about $800 |
| 133 | Because the electricity price is so high |
| 134 | plus all kinds of taxes from the state |
| 135 | The profit is very low |
| 136 | We have about 5,000 plastic recycling shops in this town |
| 137 | Paying a lot of the taxes to the country |
| 138 | Sheep start to lose weight, 'cause they eat plastics |
| 139 | After the butcher opened them up, |
| 140 | their stomachs are full of plastic |
| 141 | Check out all the goodies |
| 142 | Glasses! Look, glasses! |
| 143 | Look, I've found three Mickeys |
| 144 | Sis, there is another one... |
| 145 | Sis, here you are |
| 146 | Here is a plate |
| 147 | Look at this corn |
| 148 | The sun rises, Chairman Mao is dearest |
| 149 | You opened up the golden road |
| 150 | Forever Chairman Mao |
| 151 | Your brilliant ideology is always inspiring me |
| 152 | You dispersed the clouds and fogs |
| 153 | Follows Chairman Mao |
| 154 | Great! Awesome! |
| 155 | Bravo! |
| 156 | Chairman Mao |
| 157 | Do you know who he is? |
| 158 | Chairman what? |
| 159 | Do you know who is Chairman Mao? |
| 160 | I'm gonna take you to visit Beijing, OK? |
| 161 | My Mom always wants to go to Chairman Mao's Memorial Hall |
| 162 | and cry for Chairman Mao |
| 163 | Then, let's go |
| 164 | Yi Jie. The basin, I need a basin |
| 165 | For what? |
| 166 | Let's go fishing |
| 167 | They are dead |
| 168 | This one is still alive |
| 169 | - Were they floating like this in the river? - Yeah |
| 170 | Look at them |
| 171 | Look, he's dancing |
| 172 | Keep dancing, Yi Qiu |
| 173 | Haha, he's dancing |
| 174 | We found a treasure |
| 175 | See |
| 176 | It came in this package |
| 177 | Check it out. Gosh, imported from Europe |
| 178 | I'll try it later tonight |
| 179 | Is it expired? |
| 180 | It doesn't matter |
| 181 | Hello, my child is turning four |
| 182 | How much is the tuition at your school? |
| 183 | $65 per month? |
| 184 | Peng |
| 185 | I'm sending QiQi to school tomorrow. What about your kids? |
| 186 | Even just for two months, think about it |
| 187 | Forget it |
| 188 | The teachers will take care of them |
| 189 | They will go to school in our hometown |
| 190 | Prilling today |
| 191 | - In the afternoon? - Yes now |
| 192 | Sis, cotton candy for you |
| 193 | Get away from me |
| 194 | Take this cotton candy |
| 195 | Is this all the money we have? |
| 196 | Money, money, when can we have more money? |
| 197 | This pile, that pile, pile as high as we can |
| 198 | Let me see |
| 199 | - What is that? - Some picture cards |
| 200 | Picture, you see |
| 201 | Let me teach you. This means the sixth month, June |
| 202 | June |
| 203 | Summer |
| 204 | Summer |
| 205 | sa sa sa |
| 206 | Father's day |
| 207 | Father means Dad |
| 208 | fa |
| 209 | fa |
| 210 | Father |
| 211 | Father |
| 212 | This is school |
| 213 | It means go to school |
| 214 | She is a fast learner |
| 215 | I'll put it here for now |
| 216 | - Let me teach you - Keep them for QiQi |
| 217 | QiQi doesn't need them |
| 218 | I'm sending him to school tomorrow |
| 219 | Do you want to go to school? |
| 220 | No |
| 221 | No |
| 222 | No? |
| 223 | Why not? |
| 224 | Did your Dad told you not to? |
| 225 | No, because I need to take care of my brothers |
| 226 | - You like taking care of kids? - Yes |
| 227 | Are you serious? |
| 228 | I don't believe you |
| 229 | - Do you want to go to school or not? - No |
| 230 | Kid, if you don't go to school, you have no future |
| 231 | You will become an illiterate |
| 232 | If you agree, I can adopt you |
| 233 | I can arrange you to go to school here |
| 234 | buy you new clothes |
| 235 | You won't have any of these, if you go back to Sichuan |
| 236 | Your Dad wouldn't let you go to school |
| 237 | Stay here with my family |
| 238 | How about that? |
| 239 | She's healthy |
| 240 | A girl |
| 241 | Yi Jie, you have a little sister now |
| 242 | Let me see |
| 243 | let me see |
| 244 | Take her to your house |
| 245 | Turn on the fan |
| 246 | Stay here |
| 247 | Be careful |
| 248 | Slowly... |
| 249 | Let me take you home |
| 250 | This is called "big" and this is called "little" |
| 251 | Repeat after me. |
| 252 | What's your little sister's name? |
| 253 | - Your Dad hasn't got her a name yet？ - Yes, he has |
| 254 | - Your name is Yi Jie, right? - Yes. Yi Zu is the baby's name |
| 255 | Sounds strange |
| 256 | You just don't understand Sichuan dialect |
| 257 | It sounds nice in Sichuan dialect |
| 258 | Let's go to cook for Mom |
| 259 | - Yi Jie - Yes? |
| 260 | Stay in Shandong and find a husband here |
| 261 | Don't go home |
| 262 | No, I want to go back home |
| 263 | I'm going to cook now |
| 264 | - Mom - Yes? |
| 265 | Go wash your clothes |
| 266 | I want to go to school |
| 267 | You are going to school tomorrow, now go wash your clothes |
| 268 | See how dirty it is |
| 269 | You are a big boy now, learn to wash your own clothes |
| 270 | Hey, what's this? |
| 271 | Okay |
| 272 | This is a computer |
| 273 | It's very well made |
| 274 | Slow down |
| 275 | I am responsible for the weight |
| 276 | You can count on it. Trust me |
| 277 | You can give me a hard time, I'm a nice guy |
| 278 | He only pay me $5 a day, It's like nothing |
| 279 | It's not even enough for a grocery shopping |
| 280 | How come the quality so bad? |
| 281 | It looks good |
| 282 | Please just take it, we can talk about the price |
| 283 | Okay? |
| 284 | I will lose $2,222 |
| 285 | Damn it |
| 286 | What a good job I have |
| 287 | $5 a day. That's almost nothing |
| 288 | Fine, you're the boss. But your mother is too harsh on me |
| 289 | Why didn't you sort carefully? You are responsible for it |
| 290 | You are wasting my plastic |
| 291 | You guys are just... |
| 292 | You son of a bitch! |
| 293 | Who do you think you are?! |
| 294 | Stop it |
| 295 | What the hell did you say? You bastard |
| 296 | I'll shit in your mouth |
| 297 | What? |
| 298 | Stop it |
| 299 | Peng, go take a walk |
| 300 | F*ck off! Don't ever come back |
| 301 | How dare you! |
| 302 | Don't you have any heart? |
| 303 | You actually slap on my face |
| 304 | I have been working here for almost 4 years |
| 305 | Two years ago |
| 306 | I worked 10 hours straight in a freezing winter |
| 307 | This arm is still suffering from that frostbite |
| 308 | There might be inflammation in here |
| 309 | During winter, I sit by the machine for 10 hours without moving |
| 310 | Here, come to Big Sister. |
| 311 | It's Okay, It's Okay |
| 312 | Good boy |
| 313 | It's dirty, tiring, and not making much money |
| 314 | Then why do you do it? |
| 315 | To make a living |
| 316 | I have no choice |
| 317 | For my kids, for my parents |
| 318 | I'm just a farmer. I don't have other skills |
| 319 | If I don't do this, how can I make money? |
| 320 | Mom, I'm full |
| 321 | Good boy |
| 322 | Prilling tonight at 11pm |
| 323 | Tomorrow, I'm gonna sell all the products I have |
| 324 | About $1,000 or $1,200, enough for QiQi's tuition |
| 325 | Education comes first |
| 326 | See, I can afford your tuition. What about your friends? |
| 327 | Why can't Ah Zi go to school? |
| 328 | Because his Dad couldn't afford it, right? |
| 329 | We are going that way |
| 330 | Okay |
| 331 | Come on |
| 332 | This way |
| 333 | Throw it away, buy a new one |
| 334 | Mom, check it out |
| 335 | You know nothing about the sedan |
| 336 | It looks the same as our neighbor's car |
| 337 | Oh please, that's a piece of crap. |
| 338 | This one looks better |
| 339 | Awesome! |
| 340 | Beautiful, isn't it? |
| 341 | So we take this one? |
| 342 | We can't afford it |
| 343 | Go for a car loan, then |
| 344 | In that case, you'd have to pay interest |
| 345 | It's priced at $13,000, and the down payment is $6,500 |
| 346 | Then we just need to pay the other half in three years |
| 347 | All we need is $6,500 down payment |
| 348 | Keep your crappy van until you can afford a new one |
| 349 | Damn plastics! My body is broken |
| 350 | Why don't you go to the hospital? |
| 351 | Three tumors, here is a big one |
| 352 | Feel this, it's hard |
| 353 | Yi Jie, I'm going to pick QiQi up from school |
| 354 | You coming with me? |
| 355 | - OK - Really? |
| 356 | Let's go |
| 357 | Don't you have any work to do? |
| 358 | You're not going anywhere |
| 359 | Your Dad doesn't let you go? |
| 360 | You're not going anywhere |
| 361 | Don't listen to your Dad |
| 362 | - I'm not going - Come with me |
| 363 | Don't even think about it |
| 364 | You son of a bitch |
| 365 | I'm the great sage... |
| 366 | Yi Jie should go and see how good school is |
| 367 | Don't listen to your Dad |
| 368 | Let's go |
| 369 | Don't go |
| 370 | My Dad doesn't... |
| 371 | I'm the boss, let's go |
| 372 | Is this your daughter or mine? |
| 373 | I found something |
| 374 | Here, check it out |
| 375 | I'm poor but I have ambition |
| 376 | My kids are all smart and beloved, even though we are poor |
| 377 | The missing part is education |
| 378 | There is nothing I can do |
| 379 | Cabbage |
| 380 | Yes cabbage, you are adorable |
| 381 | This is pronounced "pump", this is "kin" |
| 382 | Bees |
| 383 | Ants! What bees |
| 384 | These are obviously ants |
| 385 | Look, they have wings |
| 386 | Go ask somebody |
| 387 | It is an ant |
| 388 | You see |
| 389 | Did you take this dictionary from my house? |
| 390 | No |
| 391 | If you memorized everything in this dictionary, you could get into collage |
| 392 | If you memorized everything in this dictionary, |
| 393 | you will be better than the camera guy |
| 394 | What are you doing? I'm writing here |
| 395 | Writing what? |
| 396 | These |
| 397 | You try it |
| 398 | Don't move |
| 399 | Oh, meat! |
| 400 | Here are something you need to... |
| 401 | It means "You should know something" |
| 402 | I would know these English words, if I had gotten into college |
| 403 | Car price is much cheaper abroad |
| 404 | This Audi is... |
| 405 | Audi. |
| 406 | See, it says "Don't miss, call now." |
| 407 | Is this looks good? |
| 408 | Fine, it's great |
| 409 | Boy, auto show |
| 410 | Let's go and check it out |
| 411 | We're just going to browse |
| 412 | to know what's out there |
| 413 | And then I'll have the motivation to earn more money |
| 414 | Let's go. |
| 415 | Touch it |
| 416 | - $71,500 - That equals several years' income |
| 417 | It'll take us 10 years to earn $80,000 |
| 418 | This feels really good |
| 419 | Hop on. Sit in here for a moment |
| 420 | Touch it and feel it |
| 421 | We can't afford it now. But who's to say we can never afford it? |
| 422 | Hurry |
| 423 | Almost |
| 424 | Auto show |
| 425 | Another one |
| 426 | This song |
| 427 | Done |
| 428 | $2 for this |
| 429 | Could I apply for a car loan? |
| 430 | I'm gonna buy this to show off in our village |
| 431 | Last year when we attended my younger sister's wedding, |
| 432 | I found even the poorest man in our village owns a car |
| 433 | You really like this one? |
| 434 | Bad choice, totally a garbage |
| 435 | QiQi's father wants to buy an ugly car |
| 436 | Look, this one |
| 437 | Which one? |
| 438 | So ugly |
| 439 | Buying a car? He is bluffing |
| 440 | He is out of his mind |
| 441 | Don't let him hear you |
| 442 | He is out of his mind |
| 443 | I don't dare to go to the doctors |
| 444 | what if there is something... |
| 445 | something bad |
| 446 | I'm still young, not even 30 yet |
| 447 | If there is something serious, |
| 448 | what about my family |
| 449 | That's why I don't want to go |
| 450 | What if there is something bad... |
| 451 | You should go to hospital, what if there is nothing |
| 452 | Mind your own business |
| 453 | or go cook for us |
| 454 | Just go check |
| 455 | Come on! |
| 456 | The dark sky is falling |
| 457 | The shining stars are following |
| 458 | Okay |
| 459 | Ah Zi |
| 460 | Dad, when are we going home? |
| 461 | Tomorrow |
| 462 | Wow! I'm going to school |
| 463 | We are going back |
| 464 | I'm really sick of here |
| 465 | - Pack your clothes - Okay |
| 466 | Do you believe it? |
| 467 | You don't? |
| 468 | What about you? |
| 469 | I do |
| 470 | I do want to go to school in my hometown |
| 471 | When I graduate, I'll take a photo for my ID |
| 472 | And then I'll come back to find a job |
| 473 | I'll make my own money |
| 474 | Then I'll have money to get a wife |
| 475 | Liar! |
| 476 | Dad told me that |
| 477 | Right, uncle? |
| 478 | I swear! Both of us! |
| 479 | Absolutely true |
| 480 | Let me tell you a secret |
| 481 | I think my Dad... |
| 482 | Don't tell Ah Zi |
| 483 | What did you say? |
| 484 | I believe in my Dad |
| 485 | Dame it |
| 486 | Spend it all |
| 487 | How much money have we left? |
| 488 | $50 |
| 489 | It's okay. I'll sell our production tomorrow |
| 490 | Boss just got rid of his old van |
| 491 | All he does is work to afford fancy stuff |
| 492 | Look how gorgeous this is |
| 493 | What a car! |
| 494 | A red car |
| 495 | - Is it good? - Very nice |
| 496 | Dad got it for you |
| 497 | QiQi we are going home tomorrow |
| 498 | We are going back to Sichuan, |
| 499 | to live with our grandmother |
| 500 | QiQi, sorry we can't hang out with you anymore |
| 501 | We're going back home, and we'll go to school |
| 502 | We can't play with you anymore |
| 503 | We are going back to see grandma |
| 504 | No? |
| 505 | How about I let Ah Zi stays here? |
| 506 | What? |
| 507 | Come on, sis |
| 508 | Oh that's mine |
| 509 | I found it there |
| 510 | That's for Yi Qiu |
| 511 | Bullshit |
| 512 | The Railway Station |
| 513 | Dear passengers, before boarding |
| 514 | please have tickets and ID cards ready |
| 515 | Where are you going? |
| 516 | Home. Sichuan. |
| 517 | Show me your ticket and your ID |
| 518 | Could I buy tickets without an ID? |
| 519 | No |
| 520 | ID is required to buy tickets |
| 521 | The Long-distance Bus Station |
| 522 | Where are you going? |
| 523 | To Chengdu. How much for a ticket? |
| 524 | $85 |
| 525 | What about the kids? |
| 526 | This one needs an adult ticket |
| 527 | - Really? - Yes |
| 528 | If you take the bus leaving at 1pm... |
| 529 | Excuse me |
| 530 | When do you want to leave? |
| 531 | Uh, never mind. I think the money... |
| 532 | I'm a little low on cash now |
| 533 | Come back anytime then |
| 534 | OK |
| 535 | I'm just checking in advance |
| 536 | I don't have enough cash for the tickets |
| 537 | Thank you |
| 538 | When I get this pile sorted out, I'll make a half dollar |
| 539 | Then I'll have money to buy toys, cars, |
| 540 | and marry someone |
| 541 | I want a train ticket |
| 542 | Where to? |
| 543 | Beijing |
| 544 | Money please |
| 545 | I don't have any money |
| 546 | Here you are, lots of money |
| 547 | The slogan say... |
| 548 | all the people will have a well-off life |
| 549 | A life that we could earn enough and live comfortably |
| 550 | This is Beijing |
| 551 | skyscrapers |
| 552 | fancy cars |
| 553 | Beijing |
| 554 | Right, Beijing |
| 555 | This is the place where rich people live |
| 556 | Do you like your lunch today? |
| 557 | Tell me, |
| 558 | do you like your lunch today? |
| 559 | It's great |
| 560 | Great? |
| 561 | Because we spent a lot of money, right? |
| 562 | Right |
| 563 | How to make a lot of money? |
| 564 | You need to study hard, right? |
| 565 | Only by studying hard? |
| 566 | Yes, study hard when you grow up... |
| 567 | Then we can live in Beijing |
| 568 | Okay |
| 569 | Study hard, come to Beijing for college |
| 570 | Then buy a car and an apartment in Beijing |
| 571 | Then we will live rich people's lives |
| 572 | What do you think? |
| 573 | I'm going out to work at 13 years old |
| 574 | The income are for my brothers and sister |
| 575 | To support Yi Duo and Yi Qiu to go to school |
| 576 | I don't care about Ah Zi. |
| 577 | I'm small but mighty |
| 578 | Very strong |
| 579 | Dad, could you put the SIM card in the cell phone? |
| 580 | My hands are frozen |
| 581 | They are dead |
| 582 | Look, this is what the SIM was in |
| 583 | Can you read it? |
| 584 | I can't |
| 585 | Go ask the boss |
| 586 | Boss, do you know these words? |
| 587 | What? |
| 588 | Do you? |
| 589 | Let me see |
| 590 | Something in China? |
| 591 | That's "Welcome in China" |
| 592 | Oh, yes. |
| 593 | Welcome in China |
| 594 | Dumping |
| 595 | Look, a big truck |
| 596 | It's dumping trash |
| 597 | Put out the fire! |
| 598 | Hurry up |
| 599 | Hurry up |
| 600 | Take this |
| 601 | Put it out |
| 602 | Try this one. |
| 603 | I got it. |
| 604 | It's out |
| 605 | It's still burning over there |
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Director Jiu-liang Wang’s follow-up to debut documentary Beijing Beseiged By Waste (2011), Plastic China captures a plaintive sense of the human casualties from unfettered global consumerism. His gently observed portrait of the families toiling at a plastic recycling factory in Shandong builds into a damning commentary on a modern China marked by extreme divides in wealth and opportunity. Wide festival exposure seems assured, particularly at events with a focus on environmental issues, and specialist distribution is a strong possibility. – Allan Hunter, Screen Daily Wang delicately balances the perspectives of Yi-Jie, her father, and Kun, alternating the child’s wonderment in and adaptability to her surroundings with the adults’ more grounded, and sad, apprehension of their present circumstances, revealing at the same time a sense of modern-day China coping with inequality in its rapidly developing economy. The film’s inclusion in this year’s environmentally-themed The New Climate underscores the global dimensions – and impact – of our disposable culture. – Basil Tsiokos, All Things Documentary
To say that Plastic China is an eye opener is an understatement. An look at a onetime farmer who now runs a plastic recycling plant and is just getting by the film is a glaring example of the gulf between the haves and have nots in modern day China. Plastic waste from all over the world is shipped to China where it is shred and then recycled. The tedious work of sorting all the refuse is done by poorly paid workers. Kun and his family does most of the work with the help of Peng who get paid a couple of dollars a day - which he promptly drinks leaving nothing for his own family to live on. – Steve Kopian, Unseen Films
“It is very important work, a milestone,” Ma Jun, the director of the Institute of Public and Environmental Affairs
“The incredible influx of waste into China also spawned entire towns devoted to recycling, where adults and children alike were often subjected to dangerous working conditions and exposed to toxic chemicals. One such community was spotlighted in Wang Jiuliang’s acclaimed documentary “Plastic China,” which screened at the Sundance Film Festival last year. The film triggered a surge of public anger in China — and observers say the film, though scrubbed from the Chinese internet soon after its original release in 2014, may have played a part in forcing Beijing to rethink its role in the global waste industry.” -- Dominique Mosbergen, The Huffington Post 24 Jan 2018
Citation
Main credits
Wang, Jiuliang (film director)
Wang, Jiuliang (director of photography)
Chen, Ruby (film producer)
Other credits
Supervising editor, Jean Tsien; editor, Bob Lee; music, Tyler Strickland.
Distributor credits
Julie Chen
Wang Jiuliang
Director- Wang Jiuliang
Producer-Ruby Chen
Composer-Tyler Strickland
Docuseek2 subjects
Asian Studies
Anthropology and Archaeology
Recycling and Waste
Toxic Chemicals
Environmental Health
Sustainability
Toxic Waste
Trade
Communication and Media Studies
Working Conditions
Occupational Health and Safety
Manufacturing
History
Environmental Science
Human Rights
Global / International Studies
Globalization
Film and Video Studies
Pollution
Ethics
Family Issues
East Asia
Women's Studies
Distributor subjects
China
Consumerism
Environmental Justice
Gender Studies
Global Issues
Globalization
Health and Health Care
Manufacturing
Occupational Health and Safety
Pollution
Sustainability
Toxic Chemicals
Toxic Waste
United States
Youth and Family
Keywords
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