Film production began to recover in the 1980s, when China opened up to the outside world and the political atmosphere was relaxed. At that time, Kaige Chen, Yimou Zhang, Xiaogang Feng, Zhuangzhuang Tian, and other so-called fifth generation directors used new film language to express their relationship with the society. Their strong personal style and bold artistic pursuit became the symbol of Chinese films in the 1980s.
Then a group of young people make films with different styles. Besides, their film themes mostly involve in humanity care and social issues. They have won awards repeatedly in international film festivals. People also call the films they make “underground films” or “indie films”. Representatives are Zhangke Jia, Xiaoshuai Wang, Yang Zhang, etc.. They are also known as the sixth generation directors.
Then, the economic grows rapidly and the censorship system is still strict. Most Chinese films thus put more emphasis on entertainment and the so-called blockbuster era comes. Many of these blockbusters have achieved huge box office success on the mainland, but not all of them are popular among overseas audiences.
Orient Indie Films is still exploring the taste of overseas audiences. We will try to let you watch the kind of Chinese documentaries & indie movies you would enjoy online. We also welcome your feedback.
Note: There may be other kinds of Chinese content such as TV series or web series in this attribute.
Watch Chinese documentaries and indie movies online with English subtitles:
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- Documentary
Why Not Coming Back – Hui Dapeng
- $2.99 – $139.00
- Most of the remains of the Chinese expeditionary soldiers who fought in Myanmar have not been properly preserved even until today. When can they return home and rest in peace?
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- Documentary
The Sichuan Army Veteran Peng Guochen – Jiang Nengjie
- $2.99 – $199.00
- Hundred-year-old veteran Peng Guochen relies on the care of his grandnephew Peng Songbai. Under the enormous economic pressure, the local government has not been able to implement his old-age pensions.
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- Comedy, Drama
The Debts – Wiseman Wang
- $2.99 – $199.00
- This film depicts a series of dark-humor absurdities in a small town in south China caused by a private lottery ticket to reflect a variety of illegal activities in society.