In China, it is simply known as “The River.” But the Yangtze—and all of the life that surrounds it—is undergoing a truly astonishing transformation wrought by the largest hydroelectric project in history, the Three Gorges Dam. In his award-winning feature debut, Canadian filmmaker Yung Chang (China Heavyweight, The Fruit Hunters) returns to the disappearing waterway of his grandfather’s youth, following local teenagers Chen Bo Yu and Yu Shui, who work on one of the Western cruise lines that sails up the fabled river. Singularly moving and cinematically breathtaking, Up the Yangtze gives a human dimension to the wrenching changes facing not only an increasingly globalized China, but the world at large.

You can also watch Yung Chang's newest documentary Wuhan Wuhan at Hot Docs 2021 from April 29-May 9.

In English and Mandarin with subtitles

The film will be available for 48 hours from when you start the stream. Please note streaming is only possible from inside Canada. Need assistance? Visit our FAQ page or email us at streamingsupport@hotdocs.ca.