SYNOPSIS

HIGH TECH, LOW LIFE follows the journey of two of China’s first citizen reporters as they travel the country - chronicling underreported news and social issues stories. Armed with laptops, cell phones, and digital cameras these formerly average citizens develop skills as independent oneman news stations while learning to navigate China’s new social media landscape and evolving censorship regulations. All while avoiding the risk of political persecution.

TRAILER

REVIEWS

"An inspiring look at the resilience of the human spirit."
- Paul Sbrizzi, HAMMER TO NAIL

"A wonderful subject and sublime execution."
-Nathan Southern, TV GUIDE

"An engaging study of the disparate characters who are drawn to speak out when the authorities
crack the whip."
-Sam Adams, TIME OUT NEW YORK

"An intriguing window into a technological revolt."
-Jeannette Catsoulis, THE NEW YORK TIMES

“Intrepid in pursuing the truth."
-Andrew Schenker, THE VILLAGE VOICE

“Maing displays a true documentarian's dedication in presenting a humane and at times humorous
portrait of two renegade bloggers zealously seeking truth while cleverly dodging censorship in
Communist China.”
-Ross McElwee, Filmmaker

"Its poetry, stunning visuals and intimate encounters with the personal lives of the two traveling
bloggers kept me intrigued."
-On The Media, NPR

"A delightful surprise at the Tribeca Film Festival. A dynamic, highly entertaining documentary."
-Ronnie Scheib, VARIETY

"Absorbing doc with a unique close-up of two Chinese citizen reporters engaging in the risky
business of independent reporting."
-Stewart Nusbaumer, FILMMAKER MAGAZINE

“Through an accumulation of closely-observed detail, High Tech, Low Life creates a devastating
portrait of life in an authoritarian society. What makes the documentary all the more moving is how
it reveals that no matter how powerful the Chinese government may seem to be, there are always
Chinese citizens willing to risk their lives to speak out for freedom.”
-Govindini Murty, HUFFINGTON POST

“It’s impossible not to feel connected with these guys and this movie. Regular people combating
online censorship to tell the stories of other regular people may seem a distant topic to many, but
the humanity of this story is universal.”
-Beth Carter, WIRED