The New Documentary Movement in China emerged in the late 1980s, and has ruffled officialdom’s feathers by examining, interpreting, and intervening in social, political, and historical issues in the nation. Contributors to a new book relate the history and character of the new works, and explain that documentary films are becoming the signature mode of contemporary Chinese visual culture as filmmakers open up new spaces of social commentary and critique.

The editors talk about the preparation of the book, and ways to view some of the films, in an item in MIAN’s Shorts section.