Along the banks of the Yangtze - E3/6 - On Mao

China is one of the largest world powers but we can hardly put a face on it yet. Let alone have any idea of how the average Chinese man lives and works, or what his ambitions or fears are. Photographer Ruben Terlou took his camera along the banks of the River Yangtze, talking to the locals about the impact of the economic progress. In a six-episode series, we are taken from Shanghai, the most westernized part of China, to Shangri-La, the most authentic Chinese part, to discover the real China, 40 years after Mao's death. Episode 3 - On Mao Mao is alive. 40 years after his death, he is still as popular as ever. After all, he was the founder of the People's Republic. And the fact that under his administration tens of millions of citizens died of hunger and violence is counted among the 30% wrong things he did. For 70% of what he did - as the official government position claims - was good. And that 70% no doubt includes his love of swimming. At the risk of losing his life, Ruben crosses the wild River Yangtze swimming, to meet the best-known Mao impersonator of China. And he visits a unique community of fishermen who once fled the famine caused by Mao's Great Sparrow Campaign to settle in the shallow waters of Honghu Lake, where they still live in houseboats, like Kevin Costner in Waterworld. © VPRO / De Haaien 2016 This channel offers some of the best travel series from the Dutch broadcaster VPRO. Our series explore cultures from all over the world. VPRO storytellers have lived abroad for years with an open mind and endless curiosity, allowing them to become one with their new country. Thanks to these qualities, they are the perfect guides to let you experience a place and culture through the eyes of a local. Uncovering the soul of a country, through an intrinsic and honest connection, is what VPRO and its presenters do best. So subscribe to our channel and we will be delighted to share our adventures with you! more information at www.vprobroadcast.com Visit additional youtube channels bij vpro broadcast: vpro Broadcast:    / @vprobroadcast   vpro Metropolis:    / @metropolishuman   vpro Documentary:    / @vprodocumentary   vpro Extra:    / @vproextra3443   vpro VG (world music):    / @vrijegeluiden   vpro 3voor12 (alternative music):    / @3voor12   vpro 3voor12 extra (music stories):    / @3v12radio   Final editing, direction and sound recording Maaik Krijgsman Presentation and Photograpy Ruben Terlou Camera Joost van Herwijnen Editing Pelle Asselbergs Research Sasha Ourikh, Yu Ma, Ruben Terlou Production Nina Huisman Sound Mix Joost Oskamp Colour grading Gerhard van der Beek Leader and graphics Tiepes Production VPRO Nicole Frints Editor-in-chief VPRO Karen de Bok Producer Wilko Brandsma, Paul Beek, Lesley Dong, Freya Tian This program is made possible by WWF – World Wide Fund for Nature English, French and Spanish subtitles by Ericsson and co-funded by the European Union.