Watch China's Van Goghs

China's Van Goghs is a 2016 documentary film that tells the story of a group of poor Chinese painters who make a living by producing copies of Vincent van Gogh's famous paintings. The film follows one of these painters, Xiaoyong Zhao, as he struggles to make ends meet in the small village of Dafen, located in the southern region of Shenzhen.

The film opens with a brief history of the Dafen village, which was once a fishing village but has now been transformed into a center for mass-produced art. The village produces millions of oil paintings each year, with the majority of the paintings being copies of famous pieces of art. The film then introduces us to Xiaoyong Zhao, a young man who came to Dafen in search of a better life. Xiaoyong has always had a fascination with art and especially with Vincent van Gogh's work. He started copying van Gogh's paintings as a hobby and began selling them to tourists.

Xiaoyong's paintings soon caught the attention of a businessman from Hong Kong who offers him a job at his art factory. The businessman wants Xiaoyong to produce van Gogh copies on a large scale, and he promises him a comfortable salary and a bright future. Xiaoyong accepts the offer and starts working at the factory. The factory is a surreal place, with hundreds of painters crammed together, copying paintings at an incredible speed. The painters work long hours for little pay, but they are happy to have a job that allows them to pursue their passion for art.

The film then takes us on a journey with Xiaoyong as he struggles to produce the perfect van Gogh copies. He spends hours studying van Gogh's brushstrokes, trying to capture the essence of the original paintings. He also deals with the pressure of the factory, as he is constantly urged to work faster and produce more paintings. Xiaoyong's dream is to one day be recognized as a true artist, but he understands that his chances are slim.

The film also introduces us to other painters in Dafen, including Yongjiu Zhou, who has been copying van Gogh's paintings for over 20 years. Zhou is a skilled painter who has mastered the art of copying van Gogh's work, but he admits that he has never had an original idea in his life. The film also features interviews with art dealers and collectors who come to Dafen to buy paintings. They explain that the paintings produced in Dafen are not considered originals, but they are popular because they are affordable.

The film takes a fascinating turn when Xiaoyong decides to take a trip to Amsterdam to see the original van Gogh paintings. This is the first time Xiaoyong has left China, and he is clearly awestruck by the beauty of the paintings he sees in the Van Gogh Museum. The experience is a turning point for Xiaoyong, and he comes back to Dafen newly inspired. He realizes that he wants to create something original and starts working on a series of paintings that are inspired by van Gogh's work but have his own unique style.

The film's final act sees Xiaoyong's struggles with the factory, his family, and his art come to a head. He must decide whether to continue working at the factory and producing copies or to pursue his dreams of becoming a true artist. The film offers a poignant look at the relationship between art, commerce, and individuality in today's globalized world.

In conclusion, China's Van Goghs is a powerful documentary that offers a fascinating glimpse into the world of mass-produced art in China. It is a touching and thought-provoking film that raises important questions about the nature of art and the role of the artist in society. Xiaoyong Zhao's story is both inspiring and heartbreaking, and his journey is one that will stay with viewers long after the credits roll.

China's Van Goghs is a 2021 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 23 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.6.