Filmmaker Wang Bing's documentary "Jeunesse (Le Printemps) – Part 1" portrays the daily lives of young textile workers in the industrial suburb of Zhili [1], [2].

The film highlights the intersection of youth and labor in China, shedding light on the systemic exploitation of a generation working within the nation's capitalist framework [2].

Set in Zhili, a suburb near Shanghai, the documentary focuses on thousands of young workers [1]. Many of these individuals have migrated from the Yunnan and Anhui provinces to find employment in the local textile factories [1]. The narrative captures the repetitive and grueling nature of their existence, illustrating the physical and emotional toll of the industry [1], [2].

Wang Bing uses the lens of the camera to expose the reality of these laborers. The film emphasizes the gap between the promise of economic opportunity and the actual conditions faced by those in the factories, where youth is often traded for low-wage productivity [2].

The project first premiered in competition at the Cannes Film Festival in 2023 [2]. Since then, it has served as a critical look at the human cost of the global textile supply chain. The work is currently available for viewing on ARTE until Aug. 29, 2026 [1].

By focusing on the migrants from Yunnan and Anhui, the film documents the internal migration patterns that fuel China's industrial hubs [1]. The imagery focuses on the industrial landscape of Zhili, presenting a stark contrast between the scale of production and the individual lives of the workers [1], [2].

“thousands of young workers”

This documentary provides a rare visual record of the 'migrant worker' class in China, specifically the youngest tier of the workforce. By documenting the transition of youth from rural provinces like Yunnan and Anhui to industrial centers like Zhili, the film underscores the sociological impact of rapid industrialization and the persistence of labor exploitation in the modern era.