'The Verse of Us' Uses Crowdfunding to Reach Rural Screens in China
Rebecca Byers — June 22, 2016 — Pop Culture
References: sixthtone
In order to get his social documentary 'The Verse of Us' on as many screens as possible, director Qin Xiaoyu turned to crowdfunding in what he says is the widest crowdfunded distribution of a social documentary to date. 'The Verse of Us' is an arthouse film that tells the story of migrant factory workers, who travel from China's rural regions to find work in manufacturing, through moving poetry that highlights the reality of such working experiences.
The crowdfunding efforts for 'The Verse of Us' ensured that in addition to being shown on screens in China's coastal metropolises, it also reached as far in-land as Urumqi, the capital of northwestern Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region. The film began when Qin created an anthology of worker poetry and aims to encourage conversations around social issues facing the nation.
The crowdfunding efforts for 'The Verse of Us' ensured that in addition to being shown on screens in China's coastal metropolises, it also reached as far in-land as Urumqi, the capital of northwestern Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region. The film began when Qin created an anthology of worker poetry and aims to encourage conversations around social issues facing the nation.
Trend Themes
1. Crowdfunded Distribution - Utilizing crowdfunding for film distribution could disrupt traditional methods and allow for wider reach.
2. Social Documentary - The rise in popularity of social documentaries presents an opportunity for filmmakers to shed light on important social issues and spark conversation.
3. Anthology Filmmaking - Creating anthologies of literature or poetry and turning them into films is a unique and innovative way to showcase stories and perspectives.
Industry Implications
1. Film Production - Incorporating crowdfunding into distribution strategies could disrupt the current film production industry and allow for greater opportunities for independent filmmakers.
2. Social Advocacy - Social documentaries can have a lasting impact on society and provide an opportunity for businesses to align themselves with important causes and issues.
3. Literature and Publishing - By turning literature, such as poetry anthologies, into films, the publishing industry could expand into new mediums and also provide opportunities for emerging writers.
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