Watch Beijing Besieged by Waste

Beijing Besieged by Waste is a 2012 documentary film that explores the issue of waste management in China, particularly in the country's capital city. The film takes a close look at the environmental crisis caused by the massive amounts of waste produced by Beijing's 20 million residents. Director Wang Jiuliang spent over three years traveling around the city, documenting the impact of this waste on the environment and the people who live in the city.

The movie starts with Wang visiting various landfill sites around the outskirts of Beijing, which have now become mountains of garbage. The viewer is given a glimpse of the scale of the crisis as Wang's cameras capture these mountains of waste stretching to the horizon.

He then visits the sites where the waste is burned to produce energy, revealing the toxic smoke that spews out from the chimneys, leading to respiratory problems for the people living near the incinerators. The film also shows the traditional practice of garbage collectors who scavenge through the garbage looking for items they can sell, exposing themselves to serious health risks.

Through interviews with experts, Wang explains how the huge amount of waste produced is caused by rapid urbanization, the growth of the population, and the consumer culture that has developed in the city. Waste management strategies have failed to keep up with the rate of waste production, leading to serious environmental and social problems.

The film's most striking visual element is the stunning aerial shots of Beijing, and the surrounding areas engulfed in thick smog. These scenes depict just how much pollution and waste there is in the city, and how it's now integrated into the city's landscape.

One of the most heart-wrenching sequences in the film shows Wang visiting a village in the countryside surrounding Beijing that has been contaminated by waste. The viewer is introduced to a community of impoverished and sick people who blame the waste from Beijing for their plight.

In the final act of the movie, Wang explores the impact of the waste on the city's water supply. The film shows the pollutants from the waste leaching into rivers and lakes, causing serious health problems for the people living nearby.

The movie ends with Wang's stark warning that if something isn't done soon, the problem of waste in Beijing will become a serious global issue.

Overall, Beijing Besieged by Waste is a powerful documentary that highlights the environmental and social impact of waste production in one of China's fastest-growing cities. The film's combination of stunning visuals and heartfelt interviews with the people most affected by the waste crisis make this a must-watch for anyone concerned about the impact of human activities on the environment.

Beijing Besieged by Waste is a 2011 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 11 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.7.