China is one of the largest world powers but we can hardly put a face on it yet. Let alone have any idea of how the average Chinese man lives and works, or what his ambitions or fears are. Photographer Ruben Terlou took his camera along the banks of the River Yangtze, talking to the locals about the impact of the economic progress. In a six-episode series, we are taken from Shanghai, the most westernized part of China, to Shangri-La, the most authentic Chinese part, to discover the real China, 40 years after Mao's death.

Episode 3 - On Mao

Mao is alive. 40 years after his death, he is still as popular as ever. After all, he was the founder of the People's Republic. And the fact that under his administration tens of millions of citizens died of hunger and violence is counted among the 30% wrong things he did. For 70% of what he did - as the official government position claims - was good. And that 70% no doubt includes his love of swimming. At the risk of losing his life, Ruben crosses the wild River Yangtze swimming, to meet the best-known Mao impersonator of China. And he visits a unique community of fishermen who once fled the famine caused by Mao's Great Sparrow Campaign to settle in the shallow waters of Honghu Lake, where they still live in houseboats, like Kevin Costner in Waterworld.

© VPRO / De Haaien 2016

This channel offers some of the best travel series from the Dutch broadcaster VPRO. Our series explore cultures from all over the world. VPRO storytellers have lived abroad for years with an open mind and endless curiosity, allowing them to become one with their new country. Thanks to these qualities, they are the perfect guides to let you experience a place and culture through the eyes of a local. Uncovering the soul of a country, through an intrinsic and honest connection, is what VPRO and its presenters do best.

So subscribe to our channel and we will be delighted to share our adventures with you!
more information at www.vprobroadcast.com

Visit additional youtube channels bij vpro broadcast:
vpro Broadcast: [ Ссылка ]
vpro Metropolis: [ Ссылка ]
vpro Documentary: [ Ссылка ]
vpro Extra: [ Ссылка ]
vpro VG (world music): [ Ссылка ]
vpro 3voor12 (alternative music): [ Ссылка ]
vpro 3voor12 extra (music stories): [ Ссылка ]

Final editing, direction and sound recording Maaik Krijgsman
Presentation and Photograpy Ruben Terlou
Camera Joost van Herwijnen
Editing Pelle Asselbergs
Research Sasha Ourikh, Yu Ma, Ruben Terlou
Production Nina Huisman
Sound Mix Joost Oskamp
Colour grading Gerhard van der Beek
Leader and graphics Tiepes
Production VPRO Nicole Frints
Editor-in-chief VPRO Karen de Bok
Producer Wilko Brandsma, Paul Beek, Lesley Dong, Freya Tian

This program is made possible by WWF – World Wide Fund for Nature
English, French and Spanish subtitles by Ericsson and co-funded by the European Union.

свернуть