Is What about China? Worth Watching? Honest Movie Review & Audience Verdict (2020)

📖 The Core Premise

What about China? returns to the screen in 2020, bringing a fresh narrative to the Documentary genre. At its heart, the film explores complex themes wrapped in a compelling storyline. As the plot unfolds, we see characters navigating a world where stakes are high. "The film takes the notion of harmony in China as a site of creative manifestation, and draws from footage shot in 1993 and 1994, in Eastern and Southern China, specifically from provinces Anhui, Hubei, Zhejiang, Fujian and Guangxi—linked to the remote origins of Chinese civilisation."

🎬 Performance & Direction

A movie's success often hinges on its execution. Unfortunately, Xiaolu Guo feels underutilized in a role that lacks depth. The direction aims to balance pacing with character development, a hallmark of good Documentary. While there are moments of brilliance, the pacing occasionally dips.

🤔 Why You Should Watch (or Skip)

Is What about China? worth your time? If you appreciate Documentary films that take risks, this is likely a decent one-time watch. However, if you are looking for a flawless masterpiece, you might find some plot points predictable.

🏆 Final Verdict

Ultimately, What about China? misses the mark on several fronts. With a runtime of 135 minutes, it asks for a significant time investment, but for the right audience, it pays off.

Our recommendation: Skip It.