Whose Utopia

About This Movie

Whose Utopia is a fascinating documentary that blends the grind of factory life with artistic expression. Cao Fei’s three-part structure is intriguing; each section feels like a distinct exploration of labor and imagination. The first part captures the rhythmic hum of machinery in the OSRAM lightbulb factory, highlighting the almost mechanical existence of the workers. The second part shifts the tone dramatically, introducing dancers and musicians in stark contrast to the assembly lines. It creates this surreal atmosphere—art and production coexisting in a strange harmony. The pacing ebbs and flows, making you reflect on the stories behind each face. It’s a unique look at modernity, labor, and the dreams that linger beneath the surface of industrial life.

Three-part structure offers varied perspectivesContrast between art and labor is strikingReflective tone throughout the film