Maya Ellison
The documentary film 'Plastic China' (2016) shines a light on the lives of two Chinese families who live and work surrounded by plastic waste. It follows 11-year-old Yi-Jie and her parents as they work in a recycling workshop, sorting plastic waste from other countries. The film is available to buy or rent on Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV. It has also been screened at film festivals including Sundance and The New Climate.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Platforms to watch | Amazon Video, Apple TV, Netflix, Hulu |
| Cost | Buy, rent, or subscribe |
| Duration | 1 hour 26 minutes |
| Genre | Documentary |
| Director | Jiu-liang Wang, Wang Liu-liang |
| Year | 2016 |
| IMDb Rating | 7.6 |
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What You'll Learn
Watch on Amazon Prime Video
The 2016 documentary film 'Plastic China' is available to buy or rent on Amazon Prime Video. The film has a rating of 7.6 on IMDb and has received praise for its portrayal of the lives of two Chinese families living, surrounded by plastic waste.
The documentary follows an 11-year-old girl, Yi-Jie, and her parents, who work in a recycle workshop, sorting plastic waste from other countries. The family lives in a home filled with mountains of plastic and the stench from incinerators. Despite their challenging circumstances, Yi-Jie and the other children find moments of joy, such as making capes and cutting pictures from magazines.
The film highlights the unsafe and unhealthy working conditions that adults and children face in the recycling industry, as well as the disparity between Western consumption and the consequences for those dealing with the waste. It provides a glimpse into the social inequality and wealth divide in modern-day China.
With a runtime of 1 hour and 26 minutes, 'Plastic China' is a thought-provoking documentary that raises important questions about globalisation, modernity, and the environmental and human impacts of consumerist culture. It is a powerful portrayal of the lives of those affected by severe social inequality and the consequences of unfettered global consumerism.
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Rent or buy on Amazon Video or Apple TV
The documentary film 'Plastic China' is available to rent or buy on Amazon Video and Apple TV. The film does not seem to be available for free streaming on either platform. However, you can set up notifications to be alerted when the film is available for free streaming.
'Plastic China' is a documentary that explores the lives of two Chinese families living among plastic waste. It follows an 11-year-old girl, Yi-Jie, and her parents as they work in a recycle workshop, sorting plastic waste from other countries. The film highlights the unsafe conditions and social inequality faced by families in the recycling industry, exposing the disparity between Western lifestyles and those dealing with the waste.
The film has received praise for its ability to inspire discussion on various topics, including globalisation, modernity, the rural-urban divide, and the environmental impacts of consumerist culture. It has also been described as an "eye-opener", providing a glimpse into the lives of those on the opposite end of consumption and disposal.
With a runtime of 1 hour and 26 minutes, 'Plastic China' provides a poignant and thought-provoking look at the human casualties of global consumerism and the stark inequality present in modern-day China.
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Stream on Netflix or Hulu
The 2016 documentary "Plastic China" is available to watch on Netflix and Hulu, although it may require you to have an account with them or pay for access to their content. The film is also available on Amazon Prime Video.
"Plastic China" is an interesting documentary that showcases the life of two Chinese families, spanning three generations, living among plastic waste. The film follows 11-year-old Yi Jie, the daughter of Pen, who works for "boss man" Kun, sorting and recycling plastic waste from various parts of the world. The family earns a living by turning the plastic into pellets to be sold to industries.
The film highlights the stark contrast between modernity and agricultural life, as waste products from developed countries are shipped to a small agricultural village in China. It raises important questions about the recycling industry and its impact on different countries.
The documentary has received praise for its ability to make viewers rethink the recycling industry and the environmental implications of transferring waste to other countries. It also provides an intimate glimpse into the lives of those affected by severe social inequality, with a focus on the dreams and daily struggles of the families involved in the plastic recycling process.
With a combination of English subtitles and Chinese language, "Plastic China" offers a unique perspective on the human cost of recycling and the complex social and economic factors that surround it.
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$11.49 $19.99
Documentary about social inequality
The documentary film 'Plastic China' offers a glimpse into the lives of those affected by social inequality, as they struggle to survive in the shadow of the plastic recycling industry. The film follows an 11-year-old girl, Yi-Jie, and her family as they work in a recycle workshop, sorting and refining plastic waste from across the globe. It exposes the harsh reality of the environmental and human impact of consumerist culture, highlighting the disparity between Western lifestyles and those who bear the burden of our waste.
Through the lens of this young girl, the documentary delves into the social and economic divide in modern-day China, where entire towns have sprung up devoted to recycling. The film captures the dangerous and unhealthy working conditions, the low compensation, and the stark contrast between the lives of the haves and have-nots. It is a poignant portrayal of a family's existence, one that is difficult to watch yet necessary to understand the consequences of our disposable culture.
'Plastic China' has been praised for its ability to inspire discussion on a range of topics, including globalization, modernity, the rural-urban divide, and environmental issues. It has received wide festival exposure, particularly at environmentally-themed events, and is available to watch via streaming services such as Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Netflix.
The documentary is a collaboration between director Jiu-Liang Wang and editor Ruby Yang, building on their previous works exploring similar themes. With its powerful message and emotional storytelling, 'Plastic China' is a must-see documentary that challenges us to reflect on our role in the global consumerist system and the impact of our actions on the lives of others.
By exposing the harsh realities of social inequality, 'Plastic China' serves as a testament to the importance of documentary filmmaking in shedding light on often-overlooked issues. It is a call to action for viewers to consider their role in creating a more equitable and sustainable future, one that does not come at the expense of the health and well-being of those trapped in the cycle of poverty and environmental degradation.
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Filmed in a Chinese plastic recycling factory
'Plastic China' is a documentary film directed by Jiu-liang Wang that exposes the harsh realities of a plastic recycling factory in Shandong, China. The film follows an 11-year-old girl named Yi-Jie and her family as they work in the recycling industry, sorting and refining plastic waste from various parts of the world.
The documentary sheds light on the unsafe and unhealthy working conditions that both adults and children face in the recycling industry. They are exposed to toxic chemicals and pollutants, compromising their health and well-being. The work is tedious and repetitive, and the workers are often poorly paid for their labour. The film highlights the disparity between Western consumption habits and the harsh realities of those who deal with the waste generated by these consumption patterns.
'Plastic China' also explores the social and economic inequalities prevalent in modern-day China. It portrays the hierarchical structure within the recycling facility, with owners at the top and low-wage workers struggling to make a living. The film captures the sense of hopelessness and tragedy within this world, as well as the resilience and adaptability of those navigating these challenging circumstances.
The official site of the documentary film, CNEX, does not mention where to watch the film. However, you can buy or rent "Plastic China" on Amazon Video, Apple TV, and other third-party video providers like Netflix and Hulu. It is also worth noting that the documentary was screened at the Sundance Film Festival.
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Frequently asked questions
You can watch the documentary film 'Plastic China' on Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Netflix, Hulu, or rent it on Amazon Video and Apple TV online.
No, currently, there are no free streaming options for 'Plastic China'.
'Plastic China' is a documentary that showcases the lives of two Chinese families living, surrounded by plastic waste. It exposes the disparity between Western lifestyles and those who deal with the waste, and the hierarchical structure of facility owners and the workers they employ for low compensation in unhealthy environments.
'Plastic China' has received mixed reviews. Some viewers have called it a "must-see" film that exposes the "tragedy" and "hopelessness" of the lives of the people surrounded by plastic waste. However, others have found it repetitive and "tough to watch". The film has been praised for its pacing and artistic value, and it has also been called an "eye-opener" that raises important questions about consumption, globalization, and social inequality.
