Documentaries come into spotlight via global cooperation

The two-episode documentary China From Above highlights China's physical geography, tradition-and culture-enriched customs, and modern social development. The combination of innovative aerial and on-the-ground photography not only gives an insight into the country's long history, but also takes forward the current narrative.

The documentary also exhibits the strategy of "discourse", which is common to Western documentaries. While introducing an issue, a common approach tends to find a small entry point, such as a man with stories, which coincides with the principle of a "compelling central character" and conforms to mainstream aesthetics.

China From Above is a breakthrough in terms of production and marketing, too. It is a co-production of China Intercontinental Communication Center, National Geographic Channels International, Natural History New Zealand, Beach House Pictures and NDR, and has been distributed in the United States through National Geographic Channels. This global cooperation has contributed to introducing China's culture in the world.

Compared with other TV and film productions, China From Above has a competitive edge in communication to the audience given its direct and non-fictional feature and exploration of problems.

Thanks to China's fast-paced economic development over the past few decades and subsequent building of cultural confidence, Chinese documentary filmmakers have been trying to market their productions on the country's rich culture and image to other parts of the world. Yet they have not fully succeeded in their mission because of many inherent challenges.

Given the differences between Chinese and Western documentaries in terms of concepts, discourse style, aesthetics and marketing, it is difficult for Chinese documentary filmmakers to be accepted in the global discourse system and get the praise they deserve.

Therefore, how to make a documentary that measures up to global standards as well as caters to the taste of the majority of viewers is a question that will continue to be asked for a long time. Although they may involve complicated political, social and economic factors, Western documentaries are still worth learning from.