Circa 2008, a coterie of young migrant workers in China’s coastal factories developed a marginal subculture known for an idiosyncratic hairstyle. They call themselves “Sha Ma Te,” which is transliterated from the English word “SMART.” Amid the increasing popularity of the hyperbolic look online, “SMART” becomes a fashion trend and a symbol of counter-culture, pushing these worker-creators to a life turning point.

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The “SMART” community has long been alienated by the mainstream culture and living with aphasia. By using in-depth interviews with the characters and found footage from their old cell phones, director Li was intended to empower the people and shed light on their subjectivity. From an intimate point of view, the documentary tells a harsh story of the young rural workers’ plight on the assembly line and their unique way of venting emotions. Further, it reflects the social contradictions behind the ephemeral SMART culture, leading discussions on human capital and rural-urban inequality.