Thank you very much for joining us to watch “We Were Smart” here on Youtube over Friday & Saturday (Jan 8th-9th). We are grateful to Director Li Yifan for giving us exclusive permission to air his documentary for a limited time. Please be on the lookout for it on the festival circuit and follow us to keep updated on more stories on youth culture.

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Transliterated from the English word “smart,” shamate was a subculture movement among young migrant workers from rural areas who moved to China’s industrial cities during the mid-’00s. But followers of shamate soon became targets for the mainstream, with haters actively attempting to destroy the subculture’s sanctuaries and activities.

Director Li Yifan’s documentary “We Were Smart” sheds light on the spiritual world of former shamate members, their role in China’s economic boom, and how their community was ultimately torn apart simply because they wanted to be different. This trailer has been posted by RADII with permission.

RADII shares stories from the center of Chinese youth culture.

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