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Deep Dive: Under the Dome (2015)

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Under the Dome
Under the Dome is a 2015 documentary by Chai Jing that addresses air pollution in China. The film is structured around a lecture format, where Chai combines personal narrative with research findings, interviews, and factory visits. It begins with Chai's personal story of her daughter's tumor, which she attributes to air pollution, setting the stage for a broader investigation into the sources and impacts of smog in China. Chai Jing presents her findings through animations, charts, and historical evidence, including references to the Great Smog of 1952 in London. She questions the effectiveness of China's environmental regulations and criticizes major polluters, including state-owned energy companies. The film also features interviews with officials from cities like London and Los Angeles to compare pollution management strategies, ultimately seeking answers to what smog is, where it comes from, and what can be done about it.

Why Watch

  • •See Chai Jing's personal story about her daughter's health.
  • •Find out how pollution affects children in China.
  • •Meet officials from cities tackling pollution like London.

Did You Know

•The documentary was viewed over 150 million times on Tencent within three days.
•Chai Jing's daughter had a tumor that was removed shortly after birth.
•The film was taken offline within a week after the Communist Party ordered its removal.

Perfect For

Environmental activismPublic health issuesAir quality research