Synopsis
More than 120 survivors recount their experiences in hard-labor camps set up by China's Communist regime during the late 1950s.
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Synopsis
In Gansu Province, northwest China, survivors recount their experiences in the Jiabiangou and Mingshui reeducation camps. These camps were established during the Communist Party’s Anti-Rightist campaign in the late 1950s. Over 120 individuals share their stories of hardship, starvation, and loss. Filmed between 2005 and 2017, "Dead Souls" spans 497 minutes, offering a detailed account of a painful chapter in Chinese history. The documentary premiered at the 2018 Cannes Film Festival.
What Critics Say
The GuardianWang Bing’s shocking eight-hour oral history of the Jiabiangou ‘re-education’ camp is a gruelling, and necessary, account.
Deep Dive
Why Watch
- Meet survivors of China's reeducation camps.
- Find out about the Jiabiangou and Mingshui camps.
- See a powerful investigation of China's past.
Did You Know
- The film features testimonies from more than 120 survivors.
- Dead Souls was shot over a period of 12 years, from 2005 to 2017.
- It premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in 2018.
- The documentary has a runtime of 497 minutes.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Who directed the documentary Dead Souls?
Dead Souls was directed by Wang Bing.
What is the duration of the documentary Dead Souls?
Dead Souls has a duration of 497 minutes.
What was the reception of Dead Souls on Rotten Tomatoes?
On Rotten Tomatoes, 100% of 21 critics' reviews for Dead Souls are positive.
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