We the Workers

  • 174'
  • China
  • 2017

After an imposing opening in which Chinese labourers work on a giant metal construction and the sounds of angle grinders and hammers on metal come together rhythmically, the documentary switches to the seamier side of the Chinese economic miracle – the exploitation of hundreds of millions of workers.
Experiences gathered by specialised bureaus defending workers’ rights expose a practice of underpayment, bad working conditions and wrongful dismissal. Activists are arrested and abused – sometimes by criminals, sometimes just by the police. Lawyers are pestered and discouraged from taking cases. The bureaus themselves are regarded by the state as troublemakers, but they are the ones encouraging workers not to strike and to solve disagreements under the law. Yet some keep their doors permanently locked and only let people they know inside, for fear of reprisals. In terms of labour rights, China is several decades behind Europe, and people who want to do something about that are subjected to intimidation. Or worse. 

  • 174'
  • China
  • 2017
Director
Wen Hai
Premiere
World premiere
Countries of production
China, Hong Kong
Year
2017
Festival Edition
IFFR 2017
Length
174'
Medium
DCP
Original title
Xiong nian zhi pan
Language
Chinese
Producer
Zeng Jinyan
Production Company
Zeng Jinyan and Wen Hai Production
Sales
Zeng Jinyan and Wen Hai Production
Cinematography
Wen Hai, Jack Huang
Editor
Jack Huang
Production Design
Zeng Jinyan , Wen Hai
Sound Design
Charles Chan
Music
Robert Ellis-Geiger
Director
Wen Hai
Premiere
World premiere
Countries of production
China, Hong Kong
Year
2017
Festival Edition
IFFR 2017
Length
174'
Medium
DCP
Original title
Xiong nian zhi pan
Language
Chinese
Producer
Zeng Jinyan
Production Company
Zeng Jinyan and Wen Hai Production
Sales
Zeng Jinyan and Wen Hai Production
Cinematography
Wen Hai, Jack Huang
Editor
Jack Huang
Production Design
Zeng Jinyan , Wen Hai
Sound Design
Charles Chan
Music
Robert Ellis-Geiger