Watch Plastic China

Plastic China is a thought-provoking and emotionally charged documentary film directed by Jiu-liang Wang. It was first released in 2016 and explores the widespread issue of plastic waste pollution in China. The film utilizes a unique perspective of following the life of an eleven-year-old girl, Yi-Jie, who grows up in a plastic recycling village with her family.

The documentary depicts the harsh realities and dangers of the recycling process; the labor-intensive, dangerous, and often unregulated work which involves handling, sorting, and melting down plastic waste. It reveals how the plastic waste from around the world, especially from developed countries is shipped to China for recycling. The recycling plants and villages, where people live amidst the heaps of plastic waste, has become a dumping ground for the world's waste.

Set in Shandong province of China, Plastic China shows the stark difference between the life of a young girl like Yi-Jie and the overwhelming mass of plastic waste that surrounds her. Her daily work of sorting and separating plastic waste is reminiscent of the daily life of other villagers. The documentary captures their lives, their struggles, and their dreams. It shows their resilience as they make the best out of their given situation.

The film raises awareness of the global issue of plastic pollution that is harming our environment, and communities. It showcases the social and environmental consequences of plastic waste in China and deeply affects the viewers’ relationship with plastic. The film forces the audience to confront the impact of their consumption choices and highlights the need for change.

Plastic China is a visually stunning and powerful film that achieves its objective of raising human consciousness. It creates a dialogue about the destructive nature of the fast-paced consumption and disposal culture that we have today.

The director, Jiu-liang Wang, spent many years filming in the Chinese plastic recycling village to capture the essence of the issue. His work shows the determination and resilience of the recyclers to eke out a living in the plastic recycling trade. They work in dangerous and degrading conditions, with very little safety equipment or health care. Yi-Jie, who captures the viewers’ hearts, epitomizes this struggle. We follow her as she navigates her way through the plastic waste, works long hours, often falling ill or getting hurt while doing her work, and dreams of a life that is different from her current reality.

One of the most striking things about Plastic China is its ability to mix heart-rending human stories with the broader story of plastic recycling in China, making a complex issue understandable and relatable. As the viewer watches the story of the recyclers unfold- from the collection of plastic from across China and the world to the sorting and melting process- they will be left pondering what they can do to help.

The film creates a strong sense of empathy for the villagers and shines a light on the adverse effects of global waste dumping on marginalized communities. It challenges the viewers’ assumptions about the life of people who work in the recycling industry, the impact of consumption, and what it means to live sustainably.

In conclusion, Plastic China is a must-watch film that encourages awareness and action in the fight against plastic pollution. It is a clear and emotionally charged portrayal of the grim reality of plastic recycling that can hope to change the hearts and minds of its viewers. It prompts each viewer to examine their actions and their relationship with plastic, and take steps towards making a positive change.

Plastic China is a 2017 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 22 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.6.