Upstream: A Glimpse into China’s Gig Economy

By Casey Hall and Kevin Krolicki

SHANGHAI/BEIJING (Reuters) – One of the biggest movies to hit China’s cinemas this summer tackles several of its biggest economic pain points: an uncertain job market, downward mobility, and the hardscrabble life of millions working gig jobs.

Storyline
“Upstream” tells the story of a middle-aged programmer who is laid off, shut out of white-collar jobs because of his age, and pushed into the perilous food-delivery gig economy to try to keep his family afloat.

Directed by and starring Xu Zheng, best known for comic roles, “Upstream” showcases the low-paid scooter drivers who rush packages through the final mile for China’s popular on-demand food platforms led by Meituan.

Audience Reception
As of Tuesday, almost 5 million had watched it, according to movie-ticketing platform Maoyan. The movie, which led China’s box office on its release Friday, lands at a time when uncertainty in a deflationary economy and real-life pressures on delivery drivers have been trending concerns.

Contrasting Themes
Its focus on economic issues contrasts with typical genres of Chinese blockbusters, which are usually war films, historical dramas, or romances. At least 10 million delivery drivers work for Meituan and its largest rival, Alibaba-owned Ele.me. Many have complained about long hours and payment per delivery often less than $1.

Depiction of Life as a Driver
In “Upstream,” competition between drivers and platforms is depicted as unrelenting, leaving no time for breaks and creating incentives to take dangerous shortcuts on days that can stretch 14 hours or longer.

“It’s a rather realistic depiction of the psyche of many Chinese people today,” said Ashley Dudarenok, founder of a Hong Kong-based marketing consultancy. She noted a shift from optimistic views on the economy a decade ago to the current sense of pessimism.

Identifiable Companies
While the companies in the film are not explicitly identified, drivers wear canary-yellow helmets and uniforms that resemble Meituan’s branding. A Meituan spokesman said the company was not involved in the movie and offered no comment. A film subsidiary of Alibaba is listed among the production companies; however, Alibaba did not comment on its depiction in the film either.

Crashes and Clashes
Xu’s character, Gao Zhilei, and two other drivers face hazardous situations, including being hit by vehicles while racing against delivery deadlines. Gao struggles with his loss of status after being stopped by a security guard when trying to enter a mall, highlighting the societal changes he experiences.

Social Commentary
Online reviews praised “Upstream” for addressing social issues not often highlighted in Chinese films, which face strict censorship. However, some were unimpressed by the film’s happy ending, criticizing its entertainment-driven authenticity.

Drivers’ Perspectives
Various delivery drivers interviewed in Shanghai expressed little interest in watching the film in theaters but might stream it for free online. One driver remarked on the grave pressures of working in the industry, stating, “You have to race against time… you are racing with your life.”