‘Upstream’: The Delivery Rider Drama That’s Dividing China

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The highly anticipated new movie promised to highlight the struggles faced by China’s gig workers. Many say it has failed to deliver. A middle-aged delivery rider stumbles into a Shanghai nightclub. He is bleeding, limping, and suffering from concussion, but he only has one thing on his mind. He scans the crowd, desperately searching for his customer. Finally, a young man gestures him over. The rider hands over a bag filled with barbecue skewers, then raises his arms in triumph. Tears of joy mingle with the dirt and blood on his cheeks. This is one of several controversial moments in “Upstream,” a new drama about life inside China’s gig economy that has sharply divided the country’s moviegoers. Created by Shanghainese star actor and director Xu Zheng, best known for his comedy roles, the film has aroused widespread discussion by offering a portrayal of the economic insecurity many are experiencing as China slowly recovers from the pandemic. In the film, the middle-aged protag ………………………………