People's Republic of Desire

Name: People's Republic of Desire
Genre: Documentary
Released: November 30, 2018
Duration: 95 min
Rating: 77

2018

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Generally favorable reviews based on 13 Critic Reviews

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Movie Details & Credits

| Release Date: November 30, 2018 | Not Rated

Summary: 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,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.… Expand

Director: Hao Wu

Genre(s): Documentary

Rating: Not Rated

Runtime: 95 min

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Critic Reviews

RogerEbert.com Nick Allen

Nov 30, 2018

Wu takes an observational, matter of fact stance to these different lives and this overall enterprise, reminiscent of how Kyoko Miyake took us through the looking glass of Japan’s idol culture in “Tokyo Idols,” another doc on a similar sociological beat that would make for a great double feature or essay. Read full review

J.R. Kinnard

Nov 29, 2018

In a digital fantasy world where culture has been abandoned in favor of commerce, talent is the cheapest commodity. Read full review

Alan Ng

Nov 29, 2018

The People’s Republic of Desire is a psychological treatise on self-worth, and the lab rats are the citizens of China. Read full review

Joe Leydon

Mar 16, 2018

People’s Republic of Desire is provocative and unsettling as it brings us on a guided tour through the digital marketplace for something resembling human contact. Read full review

David Lewis

Dec 5, 2018

Equally fascinating, sad and scary. Read full review

Movie Nation Roger Moore

Nov 27, 2018

It’s wacky. You scratch your head at the training ground, a veritable digital brothel (quite chaste) where aspiring hostesses learn the art. You wonder who on Earth would spend money for “gifts” that impress these young women (and young men), and are also meant to impress their fellow “fans” with how “rich” you are. Read full review

Kimberley Jones

Dec 12, 2018

The internet is infinite. So, too, are the ways it can breed creepy behavior and new opportunities to commodify human connection. People’s Republic of Desire explores only a tiny swath of the internet of grossness, but it’s a subject so epic it deserves much longer examining than a quick 95 minutes affords. Read full review

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rlang83

Dec 1, 2018

An incredibly crafted documentary with tremendous relevance to the modern day majority. The lives of some of China's most beloved live streamers are intimately followed and give a compelling chronological depiction of a growing phenomenon. The gamification of this money making industry spursAn incredibly crafted documentary with tremendous relevance to the modern day majority. The lives of some of China's most beloved live streamers are intimately followed and give a compelling chronological depiction of a growing phenomenon. The gamification of this money making industry spurs provocation and excitement for the viewer.… Expand

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