Duncan Jepson's documentary Follow Your Heart details the challenges involved in bringing the distinctively American hip-hop culture into contemporary Chinese society, where the transition appears to heavily emphasize fashion and musical protocol while ignoring the sociopolitical anger and sexual content characterizing much of the original source material. In fact, the impression one gains here is that Western companies are using the hip-hop vibe simply to further their marketing outreach to China's young, urban, and well-moneyed population (representatives from PepsiCo, Motorola, and Dior breathlessly speak about targeting Chinese consumers and encouraging a new wave of brand loyalty). Jepson also offers a peek at an American Idol–style talent program on China's state-run television that includes hip-hop performers, and stops at a party in the city of Guiyang. But he carefully sidesteps issues related to the incompatibility between hip-hop's roots in free expression and a Chinese government that prefers censorship to open talk. Ultimately, one comes away with the feeling that the Chinese version of hip-hop is a benign and shallow copy of the real thing. An optional purchase. Aud: C, P. (P. Hall)
Follow Your Heart: China's New Youth Movement
(2007) 89 min. In Mandarin & English w/English subtitles. DVD: $79.95: public libraries & high schools; $300: colleges & universities. Third World Newsreel. PPR. Volume 26, Issue 4
Follow Your Heart: China's New Youth Movement
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