Enter the virtual world of YY, a popular live-streaming social network where millions of China's poor and isolated "diaosi," feeling left out of the country's vast economic growth, seek fame and fortune. YY offers unknown entertainers the chance to launch lucrative careers where rich patrons shower them with cash, to the delight of awestruck diaosi willing to spend all they have to get noticed. Popular performers like karaoke singer Shen Man and diaosi-turned-comedian Big Li can make up to hundreds of thousands per month after splitting their earnings with YY. But first they must rally their fans and patrons for votes to win the annual Idol-esque competition—a big online reward with harsh offline consequences. Part coming-of-age story, part subcultural exposé, People's Republic of Desire is a vérité tour through a world where expensive dreams are built and broken, but YY always wins. Nataleah Hunter-Young
Co-presented with Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival.