For years, Shenzhen’s Sanhe Market was one of the most discussed labor markets on the Chinese internet. Many people knew it through stories about the “Sanhe Gods” and the idea of “lying flat.” To some, it represented freedom from social pressure. To others, it represented failure. However, behind the headlines, online discussions, and stereotypes were real people whose stories were rarely heard.
To better understand the reality behind these discussions, Frank Liu, Mason Liu, and Bruce Yu traveled to Shenzhen and Dongguan to produce a documentary exploring China’s day labor culture. The documentary begins in the former Sanhe area of Shenzhen before moving to Xiaobian Market in Dongguan, where many day laborers now gather in search of work. Through interviews, observation, and conversations with workers, the film examines what life is actually like for people living outside the traditional path of stable employment and long-term career planning.
One of the central themes of the documentary is freedom. Many day laborers have stepped away from conventional expectations surrounding education, careers, and financial success. Some view this as a personal choice, while others see it as a response to economic pressure and limited opportunities. Rather than presenting a simple answer, the documentary explores multiple perspectives and encourages viewers to think critically about the relationship between freedom, work, and personal responsibility. Its goal is not to criticize or romanticize day laborers, but to present a more balanced and human understanding of their experiences.
Like many documentary projects, the production process came with challenges. Before filming began, the team needed to identify safe locations and gain access to labor gathering areas while respecting the privacy of workers. During production, crowded environments, background noise, changing weather, and declined interviews created additional obstacles. In post-production, the filmmakers faced the challenge of organizing large amounts of footage while maintaining a realistic and balanced narrative. Through careful planning, additional footage collection, and thoughtful editing, the team worked to ensure that the final documentary remained both engaging and authentic.
A significant portion of the documentary follows a worker named Xiang, whom the filmmakers met at Xiaobian Market. Through Xiang’s experiences, viewers are introduced to the daily routine of a day laborer. The documentary follows him as he searches for work, visits internet cafés and pool halls, eats dinner, and spends time in public spaces where many workers gather. During interviews, Xiang speaks openly about temporary jobs, family relationships, labor agencies, and the uncertainty that comes with relying on day-to-day employment.
Some of the most revealing moments take place away from the labor market itself. Xiang leads the filmmakers through a nearby park where some workers spend their nights sleeping on public benches. He shares stories about labor agencies withholding wages and disputes between recruiters and workers. At the same time, the documentary does not avoid showing some of the social challenges surrounding day labor communities. One scene captures a drunk worker disturbing a local shop owner, providing viewers with an unfiltered look at a reality that is often overlooked. By presenting these moments without heavy narration or judgment, the documentary allows audiences to form their own opinions.
As the film progresses, its focus gradually shifts from labor markets to the people behind them. In one of the documentary’s most reflective moments, Xiang sits alone at night and speaks about his past, the decisions he has made, and the life he lives today. Surrounded by city lights and accompanied by soft background music, the interview encourages viewers to think beyond employment statistics and internet discussions. Instead, it highlights the human experiences behind larger social and economic questions.
When the project began, the goal was to explore what remained of Sanhe and understand the culture that once made it famous online. What the filmmakers ultimately found were not internet legends or stereotypes, but people. People waiting for work before sunrise. People spending long hours searching for opportunities. People trying to support themselves and navigate uncertain futures.
Sanhe Market may have disappeared, but the questions it raised remain. What is success? What is freedom? How much of life is shaped by personal choice, and how much by circumstance? Rather than providing definitive answers, the documentary invites viewers to reflect on these questions for themselves. Through the stories of the workers encountered in Shenzhen and Dongguan, the film seeks to move beyond stereotypes and encourage a deeper understanding of one of China’s most discussed yet least understood communities.
