Youth (Hard Times)

Youth (Hard Times) is a documentary centered on the lives of young laborers within the textile industry of Zhili. The film examines the struggle of a generation attempting to survive on low wages during a period of national economic growth. It focuses on the deteriorating relationship between employees and their employers, depicting rising tensions and a lack of trust. Specific accounts highlight the hardships of workers facing unpaid wages, the disappearance of business owners, and memories of past unrest and police violence.

The film was directed by Wang Bing and serves as the second installment of his Youth trilogy. Within the director's chronological body of work, it follows Tie Xi Qu: West of the Tracks, Venice 70: Future Reloaded, Youth (Spring), and Youth (Homecoming). This production involved several companies, including Les Films Fauves and House on Fire, and was produced by Vincent Wang, Sonia Buchman, and Mao Hui. The project was filmed between 2015 and 2019 and was released on April 2, 2025, with a total runtime of 227 minutes. It is a multinational production involving France, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands Antilles.