Search - China From the Inside on DVD

China's challenges

Kim Boykin | New York, NY | 03/09/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"In four episodes of about 55 minutes each, this PBS documentary examines some of the major challenges facing contemporary Chinese society.

Episode 1, "Power and the People," focuses on the Communist Party's rule of China. Topics include government opposition to separatism in the heavily Muslim province of Xinjiang; the Party's efforts to create a prosperous society; the governance of Tibet; the National People's Congress, which puts the Party's decisions into action; the election of a village committee; and corruption in the Party.

Episode 2, "Women of the Country," focuses on the difficulties faced by Chinese women, especially in rural areas (where two-thirds of China's population lives). The episode examines birth planning, marriage, women who live in the country while their husbands work in the city, women in Tibet, the hopelessness of many young women in China, the Muslim women of Xinjiang, and the opportunities and hardships for women in cities.

Episode 3, "Shifting Nature," focuses on pollution brought on by rapid industrialization and on massive water diversion projects that involve resettling the populations of entire towns.

Episode 4, "Freedom and Justice," examines the limits on religious freedom and freedom of the press, AIDS deaths that the government could have prevented, the displacement of poor people by land "development," and injustices in the justice system.

This is an interesting, informative, and thought-provoking documentary.

(If you want to learn about the history of China in the twentieth century, I'd highly recommend the documentary "China: A Century of Revolution.")"

Good, but not deep

I. Chiang | Silicon Valley, CA, USA | 04/19/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The economic growth of China may be the focused point for most people right now. This piece, however, reveals the dark sides behind these bright scenes.

There are four parts in this film. First is about how the Communist Party controls the people. The second is about the struggle of women in China. In general, they don't share the same equality as men. The third part is about the environmental trouble resulting from the economic growth. Certain people do enjoy the benefit from the economic growth at the expense of the deterioration of the environment. Last is about the justice and freedom, which are seldom fulfilled in China.

Most analysis is done by Chinese Officials, experts and professors. These problems are touched and analyzed to a certain degree, but it then stops. I don't blame them for not going any further about these because of their status.

In general, this is a good film for people to know that China is not that good as it appears. You can say it looks strong outside but in fact is pretty troublesome inside. If they don't handle these internal problems well, they will bite themselves sooner or later."

Authentic Reportage of How Chinese Nationals Think of China

Han Qi | China & US | 01/30/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is indeed a documentary looking at China from the INSIDE. Its greatest value is that the reporters interview those who really work and live inside China. In dealing with the problem of power and the people, the documentary takes in the first parliament member who ever voted against the majority's opinion. When it discusses women's issues, it films the activities and opinions of those who were in charge of such affairs at the local level. In controversial issues such as Xinjiang independence and religion in Tibet, it does not introduce the views of some political activists, whose voice is readily heard in the West, but the party officials who govern these territories, whose words indeed are rarely heard. *China from the Inside* does not seem to argue anything but patiently shows you what the Chinese nowadays think of their own nation and those particular controversies. For those with insightful eyes, they would see the ignorant and the naive side of China as well as the amazing civic virtue lingering along its long history. For those just being sparkled with growing interests in either Chinese culture or Chinese society, they would find an authentic 5-hour multimedia tour into China, a country claims to be the next world power with an immense amount of social and political challenges waiting for it."

Excellent and insightful

Ramin Mahmoodi | Orange Park, FL United States | 01/16/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I saw the broadcast on Jan. 15 and was glued to the TV, even though it was 12 midnight ! This is an excellent program about China. It showed a side of China that I did not know about. Now I understand why we have such a surplus with China : some of their government officials ( those not corrupt ) seems to really care about improving their economy, while most of our folks care about getting re-elected or having big-business support ( and continue to ship our jobs offshore ).
It also educated me on the price the Chinese are paying for our need to consume. My son has probably 80 small toy cars ( $0.94 versions ) - while he would have been content with 20 or 30 ( they are all broken anyway due to poor quality ! ). But it is our greed which is partly our own downfall, and both our societies are paying a hefty price for it. I did not realize how much, until I watched this program.
The social tensions in China are scarey. I am sure it keeps some of Chinese up all night. This program is worth the 4-hour investment. You may stay up all night watching it too !"