People's Republic of Desire

  • April 19, 2019 / 19:00
  • May 3, 2019 / 21:00

Director: Hao Wu
China, 2018; 95, color
Mandarin with Turkish subtitles

In a digital universe where live streamers earn as much as $200K a month, can virtual relationships replace real-life human connection? People’s Republic of Desire tells the stories of two such online stars who've risen from isolation to fame and fortune in China. The film takes us on a vérité journey through their live streaming showrooms, which have become virtual gathering places for hundreds of millions -from the super rich who lavish performers with digital gifts, to poor migrant workers who worship them. The characters are brought together in a series of bizarre online idol competitions, where they discover that happiness in their virtual world may be as elusive as in the real one. A real-life Black Mirror story about searching for fame, fortune and human connection online.

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Trailer

People's Republic of Desire

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