14/08/2024 - Wang Bing immerses viewers in the unrelenting world of China's migrant labourers, offering an intimate and unvarnished portrayal of a generation's struggle for survival

Director Wang Bing continues his expansive exploration of China's youngsters in the second instalment of his Youth trilogy, titled Youth (Hard Times) [+see also:
trailer
film profile]. Filmed in Zhili’s garment hub from 2014-2019, where over 300,000 migrant labourers toil in 20,000 workshops, the cycle, which will wrap with Youth (Homecoming) [+see also:
film review
film profile] at the Venice Film Festival, captures the harsh realities of life for these workers. Bing amassed more than 2,600 hours of footage, resulting in a documentary that presents a raw and unvarnished portrayal of the labour conditions and social dynamics among China’s younger generation.

Bing's filmmaking is characterised by a steadfast commitment to vérité realism. His previous works, such as West of the Tracks and Bitter Money [+see also:
trailer
film profile], have established him as a chronicler of China's marginalised communities. In this latest instalment, he continues in this vein, focusing on young labourers in Zhili’s workshops. Like Youth (Spring) [+see also:
film review
trailer
film profile], Hard Times follows the workers as they navigate their daily struggles, depicting a bleak outlook for the youngest generation.

Immersed in the microcosm of each workshop, the director captures the precariousness of the workers' lives as well as their aspirations. These young workers, who have migrated from rural areas along the Yangtze River, endure gruelling hours and low wages with little respite. Their existence is dominated by the need to earn money, leaving little room for rest or personal fulfilment.

Bing delves into the personal stories of the workers, highlighting their resilience and moments of solidarity amid adversity. This approach allows him to address the broader socio-economic issues facing China’s migrant workforce. Although the film primarily focuses on the twenty-something generation, it also captures labourers as young as 15, alongside young families with small children, and middle-aged parents working with their teenage or young-adult offspring. Much of their waking life is spent within the confines of these workshops, which also provide spartan dormitories.

The unobtrusive camera work and minimal intervention allow the workers' voices to emerge naturally. Bing eschews the conventional "talking heads" format, instead capturing them at work, during breaks or before sleep. On rare occasions, workers confide in Bing when alone with him, but most of the time, he focuses on group interactions. Although individual stories surface, they often reflect common experiences: taxing hours, low wages, rising debts, incertitude and the burden of supporting families.

At 227 minutes long, Youth (Hard Times) is still a dynamic viewing experience. Despite Bing’s preference for long, unbroken scenes – some lasting up to 20 minutes – the film is eventful, ranging from light-hearted banter to tense negotiations over pay. The workers only learn their wages after completing months of work, leading to tense standoffs with managers, physical altercations, and even instances where managers abscond with the money.

Youth (Hard Times) offers a poignant and unflinching examination of labour and survival in contemporary China. Bing’s meticulous observation and empathy for his subjects provide a deeper understanding of low-wage labour and the lives it shapes. Despite the exploitative conditions, the resilience and solidarity we see make watching it less of a bleak experience. However, the film serves as a sobering reminder of the broader social and economic forces at play.

Youth (Hard Times) is a French-Luxembourgish-Dutch-Chinese production staged by House on Fire, Gladys Glover and CS Production, and co-produced by ARTE France Cinéma, Les Films Fauves, Volya Films, Eastern-Lion Pictures and Culture Media Co, Beijing Contemporary Art Foundation, and Le Fresnoy – Studio national des arts contemporains. The international sales are handled by Pyramide International.