PLUM PICTURES
GOK WAN MADE IN CHINA
INTERNATIONAL VERSION
TRANSMISSION SCRIPT
START
10:00:03:24
END CREDITS
10:45:30:00
Gok Wan Made In China
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Time-codes
10:00:03:24
Dialogue
NARRATOR
THESE DAYS IT’S HARD TO AVOID THE WORDS MADE IN CHINA.
10:00:08:24
NARRATOR
EVEN IN MY OWN HOME THE EVIDENCE IS EVERYWHERE.
10:00:14:04
NARRATOR
BUT HOW HAS THIS DISTANT AND MYSTERIOUS NATION MANAGED TO
BECOME SUCH A BIG PART OF OUR EVERYDAY LIVES? AND WHAT
ABOUT THE OTHER THING IN MY FLAT THAT’S MADE IN CHINA?
10:00:23:22
Gok Wan
Hello.
10:00:25:03
NARRATOR
ME.
10:00:25:23
Gok Wan
Okay. Thank you.
10:00:26:24
NARRATOR
FOR THE FIRST TIME IN MY LIFE I’M GOING TO TRAVEL ACROSS CHINA
TO FIND OUT ABOUT THE CULTURE THAT’S SHAPED ME AND
DISCOVER HOW THEY MAKE THE THINGS WE USE EVERYDAY.
10:00:36:02
TITLE SEQUENCE
10:00:53:20
NARRATOR
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DESPITE BEING HALF CHINESE I’M ABOUT TO DISCOVER MAINLAND
CHINA FOR THE VERY FIRST TIME.
10:00:59:04
Gok Wan
This is absolutely bonkers.
10:01:00:23
NARRATOR
ALTHOUGH I’M A STYLIST I’VE NEVER SEEN WHERE MANY OF THE
CLOTHES I WORK WITH START OUT.
10:01:05:07
Gok Wan
And it’s all done by hand. Every single stage is done by hand.
10:01:10:05
NARRATOR
I CAN’T WAIT TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THIS MYSTERIOUS NATION
AND WHETHER I FIT IN.
10:01:14:02
Gok Wan
Ooh my trousers being a bit too low.
10:01:16:15
NARRATOR
I’LL BE TRAVELLING FROM THE GLITTERING SKYSCRAPERS OF
DOWNTOWN HONG KONG TO THE RURAL VILLAGE OF MY VERY OWN
ANCESTORS.
10:01:24:00
Gok Wan
Bloody flammable.
10:01:25:04
NARRATOR
AND ON TO THE MANUFACTURING POWER HOUSES OF CHINA’S
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SUPER FACTORIES AND ONWARDS TO ITS RICHEST CITY, SHANGHAI.
10:01:32:15
Computer
Are there subtitles?
10:01:37:09
NARRATOR
MY INSPIRATION FOR THIS JOURNEY IS MY TWO YEAR OLD TATTOO.
IT BEGAN LIFE AS A QUIRKY PERSONAL STATEMENT BUT LATELY IT’S
BECOME A CONSTANT REMINDER OF HOW LITTLE I KNOW ABOUT
WHAT MADE IN CHINA REALLY MEANS.
10:01:50:16
NARRATOR
SO JUST BEFORE I LEAVE I MAKE AN IMPORTANT DETOUR TO
LEICESTER TO GET THE HEADS UP FROM THE ONE PERSON WHO
DOES KNOW ABOUT CHINA, MY DAD.
10:01:59:19
NARRATOR
HE GREW UP IN A RURAL VILLAGE OUTSIDE HONG KONG BEFORE
LEAVING AGED 15 TO START A NEW LIFE IN ENGLAND.
10:02:06:02
Gok Wan
What was your village producing? Were they producing...
10:02:09:06
Gok’s Father
Well we, we grew our own rice.
10:02:11:14
Gok Wan
So you did grow. So you would literally have a paddy field?
10:02:14:06
Gok's Father
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Yeah.
10:02:14:09
Gok Wan
And you would go and get your own rice.
10:02:16:05
Gok's Father
Yeah.
10:02:15:24
Gok Wan
Did you wear one of those stupid hats?
10:02:18:23
Gok Wan
I think I find it a little bit bizarre actually. I can’t even imagine you ever being
like that.
I can’t imagine you not being able to speak English and I can’t
imagine you actually ever coming from Hong Kong because I’ve only ever
known you here. So even though I say my dad’s Chinese and even though
you do talk funny and you look a bit weird, I don’t even imagine, I just imagine
you as being British like me.
10:02:40:04
Gok's Father
This is home. You know.
10:02:41:13
Gok Wan
So if I said to you now Dad, are you English or are you Chinese, what would
you be?
10:02:45:07
Gok's Father
Chinese.
10:02:48:00
Gok Wan
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Without a second thought.
10:02:49:20
Gok's Father
Well there’s no second thought. I don’t like white am I? I’m yellow.
10:03:00:23
Gok Wan
Would you say that you have a Chinese work ethic?
10:03:04:03
Gok's Father
I think it’s typical Chinese yeah.
10:03:06:02
Gok Wan
Okay so what makes a typical Chinese way of running your business or
running your life?
10:03:10:11
Gok's Father
If you want a better life you’ve got to have the money to have a better life.
10:03:13:16
Gok Wan
And do you think that’s typically Chinese? It’s just money, money, money,
money?
10:03:17:06
Gok's Father
Yeah I think it’s the kind of culture. Everything when you talk the first thing is
money.
10:03:22:14
Gok Wan
Do you wish you were coming with me?
10:03:23:03
Gok's Father
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Yeah. Honestly I do.
10:03:25:17
Gok Wan
So what do you miss about that place then?
10:03:30:01
Gok's Father
The atmosphere.
10:03:31:04
Gok Wan
Don’t say the atmosphere.
10:03:33:02
Gok's Father
It is. The people you go home with, the family. You know, I mean all the...
Ooh.
10:03:38:10
Gok Wan
Dad. You have to ruin everything. I’m going to get some tissue. Sorry. And
sorry Dad. More to the point where the hell did you get this bumper size
kitchen roll from? Have you seen the size of this?
10:03:50:20
NARRATOR
ALTHOUGH I CAME HERE TO SOAK UP SOME FAMILY STORIES AND
ENDED UP SOAKING UP OOLONG TEA.
10:03:55:05
Gok Wan
I’m not wiping down there.
10:03:57:02
NARRATOR
MY DAD’S MEMORIES OF HARD TOIL IN THE FIELDS ARE A MILLION
MILES AWAY FROM WHAT GREETS ME AFTER A GRUELLING 13 HOUR
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FLIGHT.
10:04:07:01
NARRATOR
MODERN DAY CHINA.
10:04:14:11
NARRATOR
CHINA HAS A POPULATION OF 1.3 BILLION PEOPLE AND IS THE
FASTEST GROWING ECONOMY ON EARTH. YET WHEN MY DAD LEFT
HIS PADDY FIELD BACK IN 1961 THE CHINESE ECONOMY WAS 35
TIMES SMALLER THAN THE UK’S.
TODAY CHINA IS THREE TIMES
RICHER THAN US AND IS PREDICTED TO BE THE WORLD’S
WEALTHIEST NATION BY 2040. IT’S HUGE ECONOMY IS DRIVEN BY ITS
ABILITY TO COPY FOREIGN DESIGNS AND MASS PRODUCE THEM ON A
GIGANTIC SCALE. RIGHT FROM THE START I’M HIT BY THE FRENETIC
PACE OF LIFE. MOST OF THE CHINESE SEEM TO BE ON THE ROAD
DRIVING REALLY BADLY.
10:04:53:09
Gok Wan
Oh my god. Bloody hell.
10:04:58:11
Gok Wan
Oh no what’s going on? Welcome to China.
10:05:04:01
NARRATOR
IF I CAN SURVIVE THE TRAFFIC MY FIRST PORT OF CALL WILL BE A
PLACE THAT BOASTS MORE DENIM THAN A GIRLS ALLOWED
CONCERT.
10:05:12:20
NARRATOR
THE INDUSTRIAL CITY OF XINTANG IS BETTER KNOWN BY ITS
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NICKNAME JEANS TOWN. NOW I’VE STYLED A FEW PAIRS IN MY TIME
AND THIS IS WHERE MANY OF THEM WILL HAVE STARTED THEIR
LIVES.
10:05:22:22
Gok Wan
Oh my god look at that. The cloth. There’s hundreds of hundreds of... They
almost look like they should be off licences or garages but they’re just filled
with denim.
10:05:35:02
NARRATOR
AT THE HEART OF JEANS TOWN LIE THE FACTORIES, THE BIGGEST,
THE 32 HECTARE CONSHING PLANT. THIS FACTORY IS THE DRIVING
FORCE BEHIND A TOWN THAT CHURNS OUT 260 MILLION DENIM
JEANS EVERY SINGLE YEAR. ENOUGH TO COVER THE LAND MASS OF
GREAT BRITAIN THREE TIMES OVER.
10:05:55:13
NARRATOR
THIS IS MY FIRST GLIMPSE OF MADE IN CHINA UP CLOSE AND
PERSONAL.
AND I WAS EXPECTING TO SEE ROW UPON ROW OF
GIGANTIC MACHINES CHURNING OUT JEANS BY THE THOUSANDS.
BUT SURPRISINGLY EVERYTHING HERE IS MADE BY HAND.
10:06:14:16
Gok Wan
Pattern cutting is one of the most skilled parts of manufacturing clothes.
Unless you’ve got an amazing pattern it effects the entire cut and to be able to
do this at this speed is quite phenomenal and look with such ease as well.
10:06:32:19
Gok Wan
You’re so quick. Quick, quick, quick.
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10:06:34:24
Pattern Cutter
Yes.
10:06:38:05
NARRATOR
EACH PAIR OF JEANS FOR LEADING BRANDS LIKE LEE, GUESS AND
POLO ARE WORKED ON BY A 100 DIFFERENT PAIRS OF HANDS. FROM
MEASURING TO CUTTING TO SEWING TO IRONING.
WORKING SO HARD AT BREAK NECK SPEED.
10:06:54:09
Gok Wan
Can I have a go?
10:06:56:04
Factory Worker
Yes.
10:06:57:04
Gok Wan
Yeah. Okay. This one, this one?
10:06:58:19
Factory Worker
Oh okay.
10:07:00:02
Gok Wan
Hi. How are you? Hi.
10:07:03:12
Gok Wan
Right. Okay.
10:07:07:05
Factory Worker
CHINESE DIALOGUE
EVERYONE’S
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10:07:08:20
Gok Wan
Oh my god. Oh my. Oh no I’ve put a crease in. Bloody hell. I’m knackered.
Okay?
10:07:20:05
Factory Worker
CHINESE DIALOGUE
10:07:23:24
NARRATOR
I CANNOT IMAGINE IRONING 60 PAIRS OF JEANS AN HOUR ALL DAY,
EVERY DAY. I’D EITHER DIE OF EXHAUSTION OR BOREDOM.
10:07:31:13
Gok Wan
For instance if one person does this job, the same job maybe one year and
then he feels that he’d like to do something else, a different stage of the denim
can he move from different parts of the jean? Or would he just only ever do
this job?
10:07:45:14
Factory Worker
People is the stay in the job.
10:07:47:07
Gok Wan
Oh stay in. So they just do this? So you can’t think well oh maybe I’ll do
pockets. Maybe I’ll do pockets next year. You can’t. You just have to keep on
doing the same job.
10:07:58:09
NARRATOR
UNBELIEVABLE. I CAN’T THINK OF MANY BRITS WHO’LL BE HAPPY TO
DO EXACTLY THE SAME TASK DAY IN DAY OUT FOR THE WHOLE OF
THEIR WORKING LIVES FOR AS LITTLE AS 10 QUID A DAY.
AND
WHAT’S MORE THE WORKERS LIVE ON SITE AS WELL IN THESE TINY
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APARTMENTS.
10:08:15:17
NARRATOR
EVEN AT LUNCHTIME THERE’S NO GETTING AWAY. AT 12 O’CLOCK
SHARP THEY ALL FILE OUT TO THE HUGE COMMUNAL CANTEEN.
10:08:25:16
Gok Wan
It’s quite unbelievable actually because this is where the entire factory will
come and have their lunch. Bang on 12 o’clock every single day the factory
closes down. 3,000 go for lunch.
10:08:36:09
NARRATOR
EVEN EATING IS CONTROLLED BY THE FACTORY’S PROPAGANDA
MACHINE.
10:08:41:15
Gok Wan
So that translates over there. You look after your work for what you do for us
and then we’ll look after your stomachs.
10:08:47:18
NARRATOR
IT’S TIME TO SEE IF THE MENU IS AS REGIMENTED AS THE REST OF
THE FACTORY.
10:08:53:14
Gok Wan
Landi. I don’t eat meat. No meat. Only fish only. No meat.
10:09:00:02
Gok Wan
Oh I’m definitely not vegetarian any more. Okay. Thank you.
10:09:09:04
Gok Wan
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I think I’m going to have to eat pork belly.
10:09:10:06
NARRATOR
WHILST MY STOMACH ADJUSTS TO BEING LOOKED AFTER BY THE
FACTORY AT 1PM THE WORKERS FILE DUTIFULLY BACK TO THEIR
POSTS BANG ON TIME. I’M BEGINNING TO UNDERSTAND THERE’S A
SENSE OF TOTAL DEDICATION HERE DESPITE THE LONG HOURS AND
BASIC CONDITIONS. AND MY ASSUMPTIONS ABOUT WHAT MADE IN
CHINA MEANS ARE ALREADY STARTING TO CHANGE.
10:09:32:13
Gok Wan
I mean it’s all done by hand. Every single stage of this is done by hand.
Anybody out there that ever complains to me about their jeans, saying they buy
designer jeans because they’re handmade, are going to get a bloody punch on
the end of the nose because all of these are made, every single stage by hand.
10:09:55:18
NARRATOR
AS FAR AS JEANS ARE CONCERNED MADE IN CHINA IS NOT A BY
WORD FOR CHEAP AND SHODDY. FAR FROM IT. THE CHANCES ARE
THE JEANS THAT YOU’RE WEARING RIGHT NOW WOULD HAVE BEEN
LOVINGLY HANDMADE BY A GUY LIKE THIS.
10:10:08:04
Gok Wan
Thank you very much. Thank you. I love that. Let me show you.
10:10:15:15
Gok Wan
Thank you. Thank you very much.
10:10:18:05
NARRATOR
IT SEEMS THAT THE SUCCESS OF CHINESE MANUFACTURING IS
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PARTLY DOWN TO SHEER HARD WORK AND CHEAP LABOUR BUT
UNFORTUNATELY THE FACTORY ISN’T KEEN ON ME TALKING TO
WORKERS ABOUT HOW IT AFFECTS THEIR LIVES.
LUCKILY THERE
ARE MANY MORE PLACES TO VISIT ON MY LIST.
10:10:34:06
NARRATOR
BUT BEFORE I’VE GONE FAR MY JOURNEY IS DERAILED BY A PHONE
CALL FROM DAD.
10:10:38:05
Gok Wan
Hi dad.
10:10:39:06
NARRATOR
HE
WANTS
ME
TO
PERFORM
A
BUDDHIST
RITUAL
CALLED
[INAUDIBLE] AT HIS ANCESTRAL VILLAGE.
10:10:44:14
NARRATOR
THIS ANCIENT CEREMONY INVOLVES FAMILY MEMBERS BURNING
OFFERINGS AT THE SHRINE OF THEIR ANCESTORS. THE OFFERINGS
ARE PAPER IMITATIONS OF LUXURY GOODS BELIEVED TO HELP THEM
IN THEIR AFTERLIFE.
10:10:56:15
Gok Wan
What do you want go get nan?
10:10:58:17
Gok's Father
Yeah get Nan something to wear and get her a glass like.
10:11:04:09
Gok Wan
Glasses to see.
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10:11:04:24
Gok's Father
Spectacles yeah. Specs.
10:11:06:01
Gok Wan
Yeah okay. Is that it? I hope it is.
10:11:08:08
Gok's Father
And a walking stick, yeah?
10:11:10:06
Gok Wan
A walking stick. Okay. That’s it.
10:11:12:05
Gok's Father
Yeah.
10:11:13:05
Gok's Father
Yeah two vests, two suits, shoes.
10:11:13:18
SUBTITLE:
Yeah, two vests, two suits...
10:11:16:13
SUBTITLE:
...shoes...
10:11:17:13
Gok Wan
Shoes.
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10:11:18:14
Gok's Father
Yeah.
10:11:19:04
Gok Wan
Yeah. Is that it?
10:11:22:01
Gok's Father
Yeah and get my brother.
10:11:24:05
Gok Wan
And what do you want your brother?
10:11:24:11
Gok's Father
The same.
10:11:24:21
SUBTITLE:
...the same...
10:11:25:03
Gok Wan
The same. What two suits and two shoes as well?
10:11:27:10
Gok's Father
Yeah. Yeah.
10:11:28:24
Gok Wan
Okay.
10:11:30:06
Gok's Father
And mum. And my dad’s dad, and all that. And granddad.
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10:11:35:24
Gok Wan
But what.
10:11:36:10
Gok's Father
And grandmother.
10:11:37:05
SUBTITLE:
...Grandmother...
10:11:37:06
Gok Wan
What about them?
10:11:38:14
Gok's Father
You’ve got to have everybody, haven’t you.
10:11:39:02
SUBTITLE:
You’ve got to have everybody, haven’t you.
10:11:40:24
Gok Wan
Yeah. Okay dad. Okay. This isn’t cash and carry prayer. Okay. Alright
enough now with the shopping list. Okay.
10:11:50:06
Gok's Father
Yeah. Okay.
10:11:51:05
Gok Wan
Alright. Love you. Okay.
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10:11:53:06
Gok's Father
Love you.
10:11:53:21
Gok Wan
Bye.
10:11:54:08
Gok's Father
Okay.
10:11:54:18
Gok Wan
Bye. The list gets longer and longer. And that is the Chinese culture. You
know. Whatever my mum and dad say to me I have to do. And I find that very,
very hard to deal with because I’m British and I’m English and I live by a very,
very different set of rules. But of course I’ll do and I’ll do whatever he asks me
to do.
10:12:14:08
NARRATOR
WE DETOUR TO A PAPER OFFERING SHOP IN OLD TOWN KALUNG.
10:12:20:13
NARRATOR
RIGHT TIME FOR MY FAVOURITE PASTIME SHOPPING.
10:12:23:02
Gok Wan
Hi how are you? Hello. I’m Gok. Nice to see you. How are you? Well?
Okay. Do you speak English? Do you speak English? No English.
This is
going to be fun. Okay. Well I’m just going to do some shopping and they’re all
just looking at me like I’m really weird. Okay. So basically this is a paper shop
and I’ve never been in one before but I’ve seen this kind of stuff and if you look
around you these look like regular hideous trainers and they’re not. They’re
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actually made out of paper and what the idea is is with your prayer is that you
burn this stuff. You buy it, you burn it and it goes into the afterlife and it’s for
your ancestors and I’ve been asked by my father to buy my grandmother an air
conditioning unit because he thinks she might be a bit hot in the afterlife. And
as bonkers as it is, it’s absolutely amazing, fascinating. And I love this idea.
Because when I go to the afterlife I want somebody to burn me an entire set of
Louis Vuitton luggage.
10:13:24:09
Gok Wan
Right okay. So I want a shirt and tie for my granddad. And then I need for my
uncle that died when he was a child, I don’t know whether I should buy child
stuff of whether I should buy adult stuff. I don’t know whether in the afterlife
they get any older.
10:13:44:13
Gok Wan
Oh I don’t know. I don’t know the answer to that one.
10:13:50:17
NARRATOR
THANKFULLY I’M SAVED BY LAMY BY TRANSLATOR.
10:13:54:12
Shop Owner
CHINESE DIALOGUE
10:13:57:08
Lamy
CHINESE DIALOGUE
10:13:59:09
Shop Owner
CHINESE DIALOGUE
10:13:59:24
Lamy
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We should buy adult.
10:14:01:00
Gok Wan
Adult clothes.
10:14:01:22
Lamy
Yeah.
10:14:02:07
Gok Wan
Adult. Brilliant. Okay. Perfect.
10:14:07:03
Gok Wan
Ooh my god. Jesus Christ.
10:14:09:21
NARRATOR
THE BANK NOTES AND DESIGNER GOODS ARE A SURE SIGN OF THE
CHINESE LOVE OF BLING IN THIS LIFE AND THE NEXT.
10:14:15:19
Gok Wan
I’m going to get an iPad. My god. An iPad for my uncle. There’s a DVD
player. Oh it’s a karaoke machine as well.
10:14:27:10
Gok Wan
Just in case in the afterlife you feel like doing a little rendition of I Will Survive
by Gloria Gaynor. You get a Louis Vuitton wallet. You get a belt. And a credit
card. Is that a credit card?
10:14:38:07
Lamy
Yes.
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10:14:39:11
Gok Wan
Oh my god. It says on here, I kid you not, the Bank of Hell.
10:14:45:00
Gok Wan
So we’ve got a pool on the garden, a fitness suite. We’ve got satellite dishes.
And my very own Sikh Policeman as well. Just in case you needed a Sikh
Policeman to look after your house for you.
10:14:58:12
Gok Wan
Oh my god amazing. He’s using an abacus. It’s amazing. Thank you very
much indeed. You’re amazing.
10:15:05:08
Lamy
CHINESE DIALOGUE
10:15:06:20
Gok Wan
Thank you for your help. Thank you for your help. Thank you very much. I
don’t know who you are but thank you very much. Thank you.
10:15:11:10
NARRATOR
I MIGHT HAVE BOUGHT THE STORE.
10:15:13:01
Gok Wan
Don’t forget the house.
10:15:14:22
NARRATOR
BUT AS A BUDDHIST WOULD TELL YOU, YOU ONLY LIVE TWICE.
10:15:17:12
Gok Wan
This is amazing. I love it. The most glamorous day out I’ve ever had.
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10:15:25:10
NARRATOR
DAY TWO OF MY JOURNEY TO FIND OUT WHAT LIES BEHIND THE
MADE IN CHINA SUCCESS STORY AND I’M HEADING FOR SOMEWHERE
RIGHT UP MY STREET.
ONE OF THE BIGGEST BRA FACTORIES IN
CHINA. BUT BETWEEN ME AND IT THERE’S MILES OF DUSTY ROADS
AND I’M GETTING THIRSTY.
10:15:41:22
Gok Wan
We’re driving through an old Chinese town. Watch that. And I’m going to get
murdered by the traffic but also as you can see I’m totally dressed for roaming
around a town like this. Talk about sticking out like a sore thumb. But I want a
drink.
10:15:59:01
Gok Wan
Hello. Ni hao.
10:16:02:01
Shop Owner
Ni hao.
10:16:02:02
Gok Wan
How are you?
10:16:02:09
Shop Owner
I am fine.
10:16:04:09
Gok Wan
How are you? Can I please, can I help myself?
10:16:07:19
Shop Owner
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CHINESE DIALOGUE
10:16:12:20
NARRATOR
I’VE ENCOUNTERED CAMERA SHYNESS BEFORE IN THE UK BUT THIS
IS SOMETHING ELSE.
10:16:17:22
Shop Owner
CHINESE DIALOGUE
10:16:18:14
Gok Wan
I have known anyone squawk so much. Oh my god.
10:16:22:13
Crew Member
They’re suspicious.
10:16:23:19
Gok Wan
They’re suspicious. I’m suspicious too.
10:16:26:01
Gok Wan
Hello.
10:16:27:23
NARRATOR
AS I WANDER AROUND THIS CHINESE BACKWATER THE ONLY
PEOPLE WHO DON’T SEEM STANDOFFISH ARE THE KIDS.
10:16:33:18
Child
Hiya.
10:16:34:24
Gok Wan
Hello. I’m very well. How are you? Are you okay? What are you playing?
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10:16:38:09
Gok Wan
What, what you playing? What game?
10:16:39:16
Child
Mario.
10:16:41:03
NARRATOR
BUT THAT’S ONLY BECAUSE THEY WANT TO HUMILIATE ME AT NINJA
KNOCKDOWN SEVEN.
10:16:48:15
Gok Wan
Come on. Come on. Come on. I got you. I got you. Oh no. You’re kicking
my arse. Oh no.
10:16:58:21
Gok Wan
You’re too good. Can you tell him he’s too good? Thank you. Bye guys.
10:17:01:03
NARRATOR
MM WHERE’S A TRUANCY OFFICER WHEN YOU NEED ONE?
10:17:07:19
NARRATOR
AFTER FIVE AND A HALF HOURS OF TRUNDLING THROUGH SCRUFFY
TOWNS AND VILLAGES WE FINALLY REACH MY IDEA OF PARADISE ON
EARTH. WELCOME TO BRA TOWN.
10:17:17:18
NARRATOR
THE CHUNGWING COMPLEX MANUFACTURES 1.5 MILLION BRAS
EVERY SINGLE MONTH. MANY FOR THE UK MARKET.
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10:17:25:16
Gok Wan
Hi.
10:17:26:19
NARRATOR
I’M KEEN TO SEE HOW THE GREAT BRITISH BRA IS MADE AND TOM
LEE THE PR MAN HAS AGREED TO SHOW ME HIS UNDERWEAR.
10:17:33:07
Gok Wan
Well thank you for letting us visit you.
10:17:34:05
Tom Lee
Yeah.
10:17:35:16
Gok Wan
It’s great.
10:17:35:22
Tom Lee
What better a good chance we can see you.
10:17:38:20
Gok Wan
Well thank you very much.
10:17:39:01
Tom Lee
First of all you look very good.
10:17:39:10
Gok Wan
Well thank you very much indeed.
10:17:41:13
Tom Lee
Yeah.
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10:17:42:19
Gok Wan
I love this. So many compliments. It’s amazing.
10:17:45:18
NARRATOR
AT FIRST SIGHT BRA TOWN SEEMS JUST LIKE JEANS TOWN. LOADS
OF HARD WORKERS DOING REALLY REPETITIVE JOBS BUT HERE THE
WORKERS REALLY DO GET THEIR HANDS FULL.
10:17:57:04
Gok Wan
52G. I mean that is a massive pair of, yeah I massive pair of bosoms.
10:18:00:19
Tom Lee
Very massive. Very massive.
10:18:03:23
Gok Wan
They’re like rice bowls.
10:18:04:03
Tom Lee
Yeah.
10:18:05:14
Gok Wan
You could eat your dinner from them. Like rice bowls.
10:18:08:17
Tom Lee
Noodle bowls.
10:18:09:23
Gok Wan
Yeah noodle bowls. Yeah.
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10:18:11:20
NARRATOR
AND ON TOP OF THAT BUSINESS SEEMS TO BE BOOMING.
10:18:14:09
Gok Wan
So we’ve got Asda. We’ve got Marks and Spencers. Amazing. Debenhams
as well.
10:18:18:15
Tom Lee
Yeah.
10:18:19:22
Gok Wan
So you do some Victoria Secrets as well right?
10:18:22:17
Tom Lee
Victoria Secret only for US market.
10:18:24:01
Gok Wan
Yeah, yeah.
10:18:25:21
Tom Lee
Not for UK. And then actually we don’t have two standards. We have only one
standard. No matter you very high end customer or the low end customer. As
soon as we accept the order.
10:18:38:10
Gok Wan
It’s exactly the same.
10:18:39:09
Tom Lee
We accept only one.
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10:18:39:22
Gok Wan
Same quality.
10:18:40:11
Tom Lee
Same quality.
10:18:41:10
Gok Wan
Amazing. So whether you’re buying your bra at £24 or at $300, they’re not
charging any more but you’re getting exactly the same quality by the same
machines and the same people.
10:18:51:13
Tom Lee
Yeah.
10:18:52:16
Gok Wan
Unbelievable.
10:18:53:02
NARRATOR
AND REFRESHINGLY TOM IS A FIRM BELIEVER IN LOOKING AFTER HIS
WORKERS.
10:19:00:21
Gok Wan
And they’ve got pool tables. Ping pong as well. They’ve got a library.
10:19:04:10
Tom Lee
Library.
10:19:05:09
Gok Wan
A library as well. Wow.
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10:19:07:10
Tom Lee
And also internet again upstairs.
10:19:08:13
Gok Wan
So internet as well. So it’s like being on a student campus.
10:19:11:09
Tom Lee
Yeah.
10:19:12:23
Gok Wan
My god you’ve got your own karaoke studio. I’m in heaven.
10:19:18:21
Gok Wan
Wow.
10:19:19:04
Tom Lee
It’s a karaoke.
10:19:21:23
Gok Wan
You are so welcoming.
10:19:23:19
Tom Lee
Yeah.
10:19:24:05
Gok Wan
It’s like Chinese new year.
10:19:25:11
Tom Lee
Yeah.
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10:19:28:00
NARRATOR
I’M UNDER NO ILLUSIONS THAT IN CHINA MANY FACTORIES ARE NO
BETTER THAN SWEAT SHOPS BUT HERE THINGS REALLY DO SEEM TO
BE DIFFERENT.
10:19:34:06
Gok Wan
Hello. Nice to meet you. Hi I’m Gok.
10:19:36:09
NARRATOR
AND TOM EVEN OFFERS TO LET ME MEET THREE SISTERS WHO HAVE
MANAGED TO BUY A HOUSE FOR THEIR PARENTS BY CAREFULLY
SAVING UP FROM THEIR £10 A DAY JOBS. THIS IS A GREAT CHANCE
FOR ME TO FIND OUT ABOUT LIFE IN A CHINESE FACTORY FROM A
WORKER’S POINT OF VIEW. SO AT THE END OF THE WORKING DAY
THE GIRLS CRAM ONTO THEIR SCOOTER AND LEAD ME BACK TO
THEIR NEW PROPERTY.
10:19:58:17
Gok Wan
The three girls that we’re following now who we’re going to go and have dinner
with now you know, they make enough money to be able to build a house for
their family you know. And I’m sure that without the factory work here they
would never ever have that opportunity again.
10:20:12:05
NARRATOR
BUT WHEN I ARRIVE THE INTIMATE GATHERING I’VE BEEN HOPING
FOR HAS BEEN GATE CRASHED.
10:20:18:00
Gok Wan
Upstairs in the apartment there’s about 742 people including the President
from the factory, the head of marketing, the head of merchandising and the
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only person missing is my mum and dad. So I’m going to go up and join in the
party.
10:20:35:19
Gok Wan
Hello. (CHINESE DIALOGUE). Hi, how are you?
10:20:38:04
NARRATOR
EVEN TOM HAS SOMEHOW MADE IT HERE BEFORE US.
10:20:42:16
Gok Wan
(CHINESE DIALOGUE). Hi, nice to meet you. Mama.
10:20:46:20
NARRATOR
THERE’S LITTLE CHANCE FOR AN INTIMATE CHAT.
10:20:48:08
Gok Wan
How are you?
10:20:50:04
NARRATOR
IN FACT THERE’S NO CHANCE I’LL FIND OUT WHAT THE GIRLS THINK
OF THEIR WORKING CONDITIONS AND LIVES IN FRONT OF ALL OF
THEIR BOSSES AND AN OFFICIAL PHOTOGRAPHER. AFTER AN HOUR
OF SMALL TALK I MANAGE TO MAKE MY EXCUSES AND LEAVE.
10:21:03:08
Gok Wan
Thank you. Goodnight. Thank you every one. Thank you. It’s lovely to meet
you. Lovely to meet you. Thank you. (CHINESE DIALOGUE).
10:21:11:03
Gok Wan
Nice to meet you. Nice to meet you.
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10:21:12:09
Tom Lee
Okay.
10:21:13:07
Gok Wan
Goodbye. See you later. Bye, bye. Thank you. Thank you everyone. There’s
thousands of you. Thank you. Goodbye. See you later. Bye everyone. I
can’t give you all a kiss. I’ll be here for hours.
10:21:27:03
NARRATOR
EVEN IN THE BETTER FACTORIES IT SEEMS THAT TRULY FREE
SPEECH AS WE UNDERSTAND IT IN THE WEST IS NOT SOMETHING
THAT’S REALLY ENCOURAGED. MIND YOU THERE’S ONE CHINA MAN
TO MY KNOWLEDGE WHO HAS ABSOLUTELY NO TROUBLE SPEAKING
HIS MIND. PAPA WAN.
10:21:43:19
NARRATOR
AND BEFORE I GET ANOTHER NAGGING PHONE CALL FROM MY DAD
IT’S TIME TO HEAD FOR MY ANCESTRAL VILLAGE TO MAKE THE
OFFERINGS TO MY DEPARTED FAMILY MEMBERS IN A CAR CRAMMED
FULL OF PAPER KARAOKE MACHINES.
10:21:55:06
Gok Wan
Every small village has a different surname. So you’ll get the Tangs in one,
and you’ll get the Lams and the Lees in another one. And then our family’s all
the Wans. The Wans. And so technically if you have the surname Wan we’re
all related so however many hundreds of people are there, even though I’ve
never met them, they’re all family. All distant aunties, uncles, cousins. The
Wan clan.
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10:22:28:19
Gok Wan
Hello home. Wow.
10:22:33:03
Gok Wan
You’re definitely related to me because you look like my uncle. How are you?
Hi I’m Gok.
10:22:36:03
Male
You alright then?
10:22:37:20
Gok Wan
Yeah I’m very well. How are you?
10:22:38:23
Male
Yeah fine.
10:22:39:00
Gok Wan
Good, good, good. Hi. Hello everyone. I’m trying to find my grandfather’s
house.
10:22:42:19
Male
Your grandfather’s house.
10:22:44:02
Gok Wan
It’s this one alright. This one.
10:22:46:16
Female
Your grandfather lived here. Before.
10:22:49:09
Gok Wan
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Oh wow look at this. Thank you Uncle William. It’s my grandmother.
10:22:57:07
NARRATOR
AS SOON AS I ENTER I’M FACED WITH ROW UPON ROW OF OLD
FAMILY PHOTOS.
10:23:04:03
Gok Wan
This is my cousin. Kookie. And that’s my father’s oldest brother. And there’s
my dad. That’s my dad. Oh my god look at him. My god he had so much hair.
10:23:18:18
NARRATOR
THE HOUSE IS RARELY USED BUT SINCE MY GRANDPARENTS DEATH
IT’S BEEN KEPT ON AS A STATUS SYMBOL AND AS A PERMANENT
MARK OF RESPECT FOR THE FAMILY’S ANCESTORS.
10:23:29:23
NARRATOR
BUT I CAN’T HANG ABOUT. I’VE GOT A JOB TO DO AT THE FAMILY’S
ANCESTRAL SHRINES.
AND THE ONLY WAY TO GET THERE IS
PUSHING A WOBBLY TROLLEY IN THE SWELTERING HEAT.
10:23:41:16
Gok Wan
Bloody hell.
10:23:48:12
Gok Wan
Oh. God.
10:23:55:12
Gok Wan
Bloody hell.
10:23:57:03
NARRATOR
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GRANNY HAD BETTER APPRECIATE THIS.
10:24:05:16
Gok Wan
Hello. Everyone.
10:24:11:08
Gok Wan
Right.
10:24:18:24
Gok Wan
Forgive ancestors if I’m getting all this wrong but you know the intention is
there.
10:24:25:05
NARRATOR
FIRST SOME SYMBOLIC BANK NOTES FOR MY ANCESTORS TO SPEND
IN THEIR AFTERLIFE.
10:24:34:09
Gok Wan
Oh bloody hell it’s hot.
10:24:36:06
NARRATOR
THIS IS SUPPOSED TO BE AN ELEGANT AND BEAUTIFUL RITUAL.
10:24:41:06
Gok Wan
How does my dad do it? I don’t understand.
10:24:47:14
NARRATOR
AS MUCH AS I WANTED TO PROVE TO MYSELF I COULD DO THE
RITUAL LAMY WAS GETTING WORRIED I WAS ABOUT TO BE STRUCK
BY THE GODS SO SHE GIVES ME A HAND.
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10:25:02:12
Gok Wan
Sorry. Sorry. All of Hong Kong gets destroyed by me coming over praying to
my ancestors.
10:25:12:02
NARRATOR
NEXT I TURN TO THE SHRINE CONTAINING THE BONES OF MY
IMMEDIATE FAMILY.
10:25:18:16
Gok Wan
This shrine has got my grandfather in, my grandmother and my dad’s brother
who died when he was a baby. There’s space in here for my dad which is
horrible.
10:25:36:14
Gok Wan
I don’t want my dad to come here.
10:25:51:20
Gok Wan
This is for you lot. Granddad in particular, this is from my dad for you. He
misses you. He really does.
10:26:15:09
NARRATOR
MAKING OFFERINGS FOR RELATIVES THAT I KNEW RATHER THAN
NAMELESS ANCESTORS FEELS DIFFERENT IN A WAY THAT’S REALLY
DIFFICULT TO DESCRIBE.
10:26:24:23
Gok Wan
Oh another one.
10:26:26:24
NARRATOR
ALTHOUGH THIS IS WITHOUT DOUBT ONE OF THE ODDEST THINGS
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I’VE EVER DONE IN MY LIFE SUDDENLY IT DOESN’T FEEL QUITE AS
ALIEN AS IT PROBABLY SHOULD.
10:26:38:05
Gok Wan
Thank you.
10:26:39:05
NARRATOR
I MAY NOT BE MADE IN CHINA BUT IT’S STARTING TO FEEL LIKE
THERE MIGHT BE A PART OF ME THAT REALLY DOES BELONG HERE.
10:26:52:16
NARRATOR
SO FAR IN MY MADE IN CHINA ADVENTURE I’VE SEEN HOW THE
CHINESE INSTINCT FOR COPYING AND MASS PRODUCING HAS LED TO
AN ECONOMIC BOOM TIME. BUT I’M HEADING FOR A PLACE WHERE
I’M TOLD THEY MIGHT OF TAKEN THIS COPYING OBSESSION A LITTLE
BIT TOO FAR.
10:27:08:04
Gok Wan
It’s like driving into Tunbridge Wells. Tudor mock buildings with the beams
outside.
10:27:15:07
NARRATOR
NOT CONTENT WITH JUST MASS PRODUCING WESTERN DESIGNS FOR
WHOLESALE EXPORT THE CHINESE HAVE GONE THE WHOLE HOG
AND COPIED AN ENTIRE TOWN.
10:27:24:13
NARRATOR
IN
THAMES
RECREATED.
TOWN
EVERYTHING
HAS
BEEN
MASTERFULLY
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10:27:30:15
NARRATOR
EVEN THE USUALLY GRIM FACED CHINESE POLICE ARE DRESSED
LIKE SOMETHING OUT OF A CHERYL COLE VIDEO.
AND PEOPLE
ACTUALLY LIVE HERE.
10:27:39:05
Gok Wan
This is absolutely bonkers.
Apparently there’s not a single house in this
Thames Town which is available. Every single one is sold. Ooh everyone is
sold out. And I think we might be interrupting something.
10:27:57:15
Gok Wan
Can we go past?
Can we walk past?
Is that okay?
Thank you.
Congratulations if you’re getting married. I’m not too sure if you are.
10:28:07:11
Gok Wan
Oh no there’s another wedding. Oh my god I am in a weird sci-fi movie. This
is absolutely bonkers. Oh my god there’s another one. They’re all coming at
me. I feel like oh no they’re clones.
10:28:19:02
NARRATOR
IT’S LIKE THE STEPFORD WIVES BUT MASS PRODUCED CHINESE
STYLY.
10:28:24:23
Gok Wan
I’m surrounded by four or five wedding shoots. I don’t even know if they’re
really getting married. This is absolutely the epitome of fake town. Even the
weddings are fake.
10:28:34:13
Gok Wan
Hello. Do you live here?
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10:28:38:03
Gok Wan
No one wants to talk to me. I’ve spent five days of people not wanting to talk to
me. In England everyone wants to talk to me. Everyone wants me to touch
their breasts. Here no one will talk to me. I want to go home.
10:28:49:06
NARRATOR
BEFORE I LOSE IT COMPLETELY MY NEW TRANSLATOR KOREK STEPS
IN TO EXPLAIN WHAT’S GOING ON.
THE NEW SPIRIT OF CHINESE
ENTERPRISE HAS MADE PHOTO AND FILM SHOOTS THE TOWN’S
NUMBER ONE INDUSTRY.
10:29:01:14
Korek
Shooting.
10:29:03:11
Gok Wan
Oh right okay.
10:29:03:16
Korek
Wedding photos.
10:29:05:10
Gok Wan
Okay. Would you ask? Oh they’re asleep those ones. I think.
10:29:10:13
Korek
They’re sleeping.
10:29:11:11
Gok Wan
They’re sleeping.
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10:29:12:10
Korek
Pretending to be sleeping because they’re having shoot.
10:29:15:01
Gok Wan
It’s amazing.
10:29:15:14
Korek
Yes.
10:29:16:01
Gok Wan
It’s amazing. When I finally find someone to love and get married I’m not going
to go to Disneyland and have my pictures taken. I’m going to do it in a nice
place where I know. I’m so freaked out Korek. I can’t work it out. I cannot
work it out.
10:29:32:10
NARRATOR
I DECIDE TO GATHER MY THOUGHTS IN THE CHURCH SITTING
PROUDLY ON ITS VERY OWN FAKE VILLAGE GREEN.
10:29:37:01
Gok Wan
If I burst into flames when I walk in here my mum’s not going to be very happy.
10:29:43:15
Gok Wan
Oh my god. It’s like toy town. Hello.
10:29:50:21
Gok Wan
I can’t help but feel that they’ve bought this church from Ikea and they’ve put it
together themselves. Flat pack church.
10:29:58:11
NARRATOR
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THE CHURCH IS AN EXACT COPY OF ST MARY REDCLIFFE IN BRISTOL.
10:30:03:00
NARRATOR
IT CERTAINLY LOOKS THE PART.
THE PROBLEM IS IT JUST DON’T
FEEL IT.
10:30:10:09
Gok Wan
I’ve never been anywhere that feels so unreligious in my entire life. It feels
completely, even the church feels fake.
10:30:30:06
Gok Wan
It is surreal.
10:30:32:00
NARRATOR
THERE REALLY IS NOTHING THAT THE CHINESE CAN’T OR WON’T
COPY.
THERE’S NO DOUBTING THE QUALITY AND ATTENTION TO
DETAIL BUT WHAT WERE THEY THINKING?
WHY RECREATE
SOMEONE ELSE’S HERITAGE? IT’S STRANGE HOW SOMETHING THAT
LOOKS SO FAMILIAR IS MAKING ME FEEL SO BLOODY ALIEN.
10:30:50:07
Gok Wan
In a weird way I suppose today the why I feel so crazy and mental is because I
thought two days ago that I was starting to understand a part of my heritage
and understand what I’m about and at the age of 37 have dual nationality and
being mixed race, Asian meant something but every single time I feel like I’ve
worked that one out a curve ball like Thames Town comes sweeping into my
mind and it freaks me out slightly. Because I suppose what I wanted from this
journey was to really try and understand who I am as a person. And I have no
fucking clue right now what it means to be half Chinese.
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10:31:33:15
NARRATOR
I MANAGE TO ESCAPE FROM THE FAKERY OF THAMES TOWN BY
FLAGGING DOWN, OF ALL THINGS, A LONDON TAXI.
10:31:40:05
Gok Wan
So you might think this is quite strange. I am currently sat in a black cab. It’s
actually not that strange because like Thames Town, China seems to have an
absolute obsession with all things Brit. And believe it or not these cars are
actually made in this country.
10:31:58:01
NARRATOR
THE GEELY FACTORY OUTSIDE SHANGHAI MAKES COMPLETE TAXI
KIT FOR ASSEMBLY IN THE UK AS WELL AS ROAD READY CABS FOR
THE REST OF THE WORLD.
10:32:07:00
Gok Wan
Still got the door that confuses everyone.
10:32:10:04
NARRATOR
AS SUSAN THE FACTORY REP TAKES ME AROUND IT ALL SEEMS
REALLY WELL ORGANISED.
DESPITE THE BAFFLING CORPORATE
SLOGANS.
10:32:21:18
NARRATOR
IT’S WEIRD TO SEE A CLASSIC ICON THAT I’VE ALWAYS ASSUMED TO
BE 100% BRITISH EMERGING FROM A FACTORY HALFWAY ACROSS
THE WORLD.
10:32:30:13
Gok Wan
Can we go in and have a little look?
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10:32:31:02
Susan
Yeah. Before we have a look you.
10:32:33:00
Gok Wan
Oh. Lovely.
10:32:33:24
Susan
Wear this.
10:32:34:13
Gok Wan
What a treat. Are they made in China?
10:32:36:13
Susan
Yeah.
10:32:37:23
NARRATOR
IN ALL MY TIME IN CHINA THIS IS THE VERY FIRST NOD TO HEALTH
AND SAFETY I’VE SEEN.
10:32:41:06
Gok Wan
Will they go over my glasses? Ooh. Oh no.
10:32:44:07
NARRATOR
OOPS.
10:32:45:23
Gok Wan
Sorry. I’ve just broken it.
10:32:48:24
Susan
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It doesn’t matter. Wow. You look cool.
10:32:51:05
Gok Wan
I feel like I need to go raving. This is it now. Oh, oh, oh, oh, car factory. I love
it.
10:32:57:17
Susan
Let’s go.
10:32:58:11
Gok Wan
How many of these cabs are you making in one year?
10:33:00:24
Susan
This year we had a good year because we received a 1000 order from
Azerbaijan.
10:33:06:15
Gok Wan
A 1000 orders from Azerbaijan.
10:33:08:09
Susan
Yeah.
10:33:10:00
NARRATOR
GENIUS. THEY’VE COPIED A BRITISH DESIGN AND FLOGGED IT TO A
PLACE MOST BRITS HAVE HARDLY EVER HEARD OF. NOW THAT’S
BUSINESS SAVVY. AND TO KEEP UNIT COSTS DOWN EVERY SINGLE
COMPONENT INCLUDING THE STEEL ITSELF IS MADE IN CHINA.
IN
FACT THE ONLY IMPORT HERE IS A BLOKE FROM COVENTRY CALLED
LEE. LEE WAS SENT HERE TO BECOME A PRODUCTION SUPERVISOR
TO AVOID THE POSSIBILITY OF REDUNDANCY BACK IN THE UK.
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10:33:36:22
Lee
Only been here three months myself but we have a lot of cultural differences
between us. Some of their ways are better. Some of our ways are better.
They’ll work all the hours they can. No problem at all. They’re very flexible.
They’re very helpful.
They’re very respectful.
Not saying we’re not all
respectful but nothing’s too much trouble over here.
10:33:56:13
Gok Wan
How have you slotted in to a completely different way of working?
10:33:59:09
Lee
I had to come here with a completely open mind. We tend to discuss a lot
more. Tend to have a lot more meetings about what we’re going to do.
10:34:05:13
Gok Wan
Yeah.
10:34:06:01
Lee
And then we have another meeting to check that we’re still going to do it. And
then we have a meeting say yes we agree we’ll do it.
10:34:11:13
Gok Wan
So it’s just meeting after meeting. So a lot of discussion.
10:34:13:23
Lee
Big culture.
10:34:14:18
NARRATOR
BUT JUST AS LEE CAME ALL THE WAY HERE TO KEEP HIS JOB.
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COULD IT BE THAT THE CHINESE WORKERS MAY FACE A SIMILAR
DILEMMA IN THE FUTURE?
10:34:22:03
Gok Wan
I worry that the country is developing at a really fast rate and they’ve got an
economy they’re getting used to now. If then it gets filtered out and it goes to
another country that can do it slightly cheaper and at the end of the day it’s got
to be about money. What happens to this country then? What can they do to
keep this?
10:34:37:13
Lee
I’m not sure. I mean if I knew the answer to that I would rather it probably
stayed in the UK to begin with.
You’ve got to make sure that you stay
competitive and build quality.
10:34:45:04
Gok Wan
Yeah.
10:34:46:09
Lee
As soon as your quality slips or you lose that edge of competitiveness then
you’re on a hiding.
10:34:51:03
NARRATOR
WELL FROM THE QUALITY OF WORK I’VE WITNESSED CHINA IS
DEFINITELY HERE TO STAY. IT’S TIME TO TAKE THIS BABY OUT.
10:34:58:10
Gok Wan
Is it ready?
10:34:59:18
Lee
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No.
No.
You’re not going to drive it over the pit because you’ll have a
nightmare. We’ll get it off the pit there.
10:35:03:03
Gok Wan
I’m a very good driver actually I’ll have you know.
10:35:05:13
Lee
Can you drive it over there?
10:35:06:18
Gok Wan
Honestly. Yeah of course I will. Honestly. I’m the best gay driver in London.
I’m telling you. I’m amazing.
10:35:13:03
Gok Wan
Alright sweetheart.
10:35:16:14
NARRATOR
I WOULD HAVE GIVEN LEE A LIFT HOME BUT I WASN’T GOING SOUTH
OF THE YANGTZE.
10:35:21:02
NARRATOR
IT’S NOW A WEEK SINCE I LEFT HONG KONG AND I’M FINALLY BACK IN
A TRULY INTERNATIONAL METROPOLIS SHANGHAI.
23 MILLION
PEOPLE LIVE HERE ON THE YANGTZE DELTA. THIS CITY WAS BORN
TO TRADE.
10:35:35:03
NARRATOR
SHANGHAI IS THE TECHNOLOGY CAPITAL OF THE WORLD AND
ACROSS THE CITY THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF GIANT STORES LIKE
THIS ONE SELLING THE VERY LATEST KIT TO ITS GADGET OBSESSED
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POPULATION.
10:35:48:07
NARRATOR
CHINA MAKES 40% OF ALL ELECTRONIC GADGETS PRODUCED
WORLDWIDE AND THAT’S NOT COUNTING ITS HUGE OUTPUT OF
FAKES AND PIRATED ELECTRONIC GOODS.
10:35:58:17
Gok Wan
So obviously China and the whole of Asia in fact is known worldwide for their
technology. I mean in fact most of the technology, most of the brands are in
fact Asian. A lot of the stuff is made here and you get these emporiums all
over Asia whether you’re in Singapore, Thailand, or in fact in Shanghai now,
where it’s just technology crazy. Speaker phones. Mobile phones. I mean
literally anything. There isn’t a single thing I don’t think that is technical that
you wouldn’t be able to buy here.
10:36:29:09
NARRATOR
AND THAT INCLUDES A GADGET THAT MIGHT HELP ME BREAK THE
LANGUAGE BARRIER.
10:36:33:05
Computer
CHINESE DIALOGUE.
10:36:35:04
Gok Wan
(CHINESE DIALOGUE). Doll. Is that it means? Does it translate everything?
10:36:41:16
Computer
Where is the rest room?
10:36:44:02
Computer
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CHINESE DIALOGUE
10:36:45:04
Gok Wan
Oh my god this is like the most remarkable thing.
10:36:48:21
Computer
CHINESE DIALOGUE
10:36:49:00
NARRATOR
OKAY. IT MIGHT LOOK LIKE SOMETHING YOU’D FIND ON A TOP SHELF
IN SOHO BUT MY BIG PINK PENGUIN PAL IS MY NEW BEST FRIEND.
10:36:56:16
Computer
(CHINESE DIALOGUE). Maybe something is wrong with it.
10:37:01:19
Gok Wan
Okay. I will have this and this please.
10:37:05:03
Computer
Can I get a receipt?
10:37:08:10
Gok Wan
I mean this is the busiest hub. I haven’t seen that much of excitement since
I’ve got to China really. They absolutely love their technology. Now I know
where I get it as well. So whether you’re talking about translator pens or you’re
talking about very nearly the real article just here, it doesn’t matter what it is as
long as it’s got a motherboard, a keyboard, and it flashes, to me the Chinese
absolutely love it. This is technology centre of the world. Without doubt or
question.
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10:37:36:15
NARRATOR
BUT I’M NOT JUST IN SHANGHAI TO PICK UP DODGY GEAR. I’M ON
THE TRAIL OF SOMEONE WHO REJECTS THE CURRENT CULTURE OF
COPYING THE LATEST WESTERN DESIGN.
10:37:47:14
Gok Wan
I’m about to go and meet a guy called Clement but I’ve got to find him first of
all. And I am in downtown Shanghai on my own looking like a 6’1” Chinese
homo. So I’m hoping I’m hoping I’m not going to get shot.
10:37:58:16
Gok Wan
665. 751. 667. So we’re on the wrong side.
10:38:05:06
Gok Wan
Now.
10:38:09:16
Gok Wan
What’s really nice as well is everything is really in my head level.
10:38:14:14
NARRATOR
THIS LOOKS LIKE THE PLACE.
10:38:18:13
Gok Wan
Hello. Ooh. Hello. Is this your office? Number four please.
10:38:25:05
Gok Wan
Thank you. An office in a lift. It’s the most efficient lift I’ve ever been to in my
life.
10:38:37:09
Gok Wan
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Wow. Bloody hell. Hello. Hi. How are you? Hi. Hi. I’m Gok. Hi. Ooh sorry
you’re holding a fan. How are you? I’m here to see Clement. Clement?
Yeah. Stylist.
10:38:49:16
Woman
I don’t know. Maybe.
10:38:51:00
Gok Wan
Shall I go round? Okay. I’ll go and have a little look. Wow this is beautiful. I
had no idea at all. There’s a woman with an office in a lift just so you know.
10:39:02:24
NARRATOR
SO FAR IN CHINA I’VE YET TO MEET A PERSON WHO WOULDN’T
BENEFIT FROM SOME USEFUL STYLE TIPS FROM YOURS TRULY.
10:39:08:23
Gok Wan
Knock, knock. Hello. Hi. Hi. Hey Clement. Hey how are you? I’m Gok.
10:39:13:05
NARRATOR
ON SECOND THOUGHTS THAT MIGHT NOT BE NEEDED.
10:39:15:04
Gok Wan
Well thank you very much indeed. Hi guys. Hey how are you? Thank you for
inviting me over to your photo shoot.
10:39:20:05
Clement
You’re welcome. It’s my pleasure. And welcome to Shanghai.
10:39:24:21
NARRATOR
CLEMENT MIGHT BE A SURREAL COPY OF YOURS TRULY BUT HE
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WANTS TO LEAD CHINESE STYLE IN A NEW DIRECTION WHERE IT NOT
ONLY MAKES BUT IT DESIGNS.
10:39:33:22
Clement
Today all the clothing is from Chinese designers. So we want to.
10:39:36:10
Gok Wan
Oh are they? Wonderful.
10:39:37:16
Clement
All from Chinese designers. So I talk with Shin Shin. We want to do some
shooting like east into west. So we’re using the western face. The first model
be a western and they’ll still be clothes like an eastern and Chinese. So we’ll
do some like a very fusion. A very delicious fusion fruit.
10:39:52:01
Gok Wan
Delicious. Delicious fusion fruit. I’m very turned on. I love this. Right. Let’s
have a look.
10:39:58:01
NARRATOR
CLEMENT IS OPENING THE DOOR FOR AN ASPIRATIONAL NEW
GENERATION
NOT
CONTENT
TO
WORK
IN
FACTORIES
MASS
PRODUCING OTHER PEOPLE’S PRODUCTS FOR A PITTANCE. AND THE
CLOTHES THEMSELVES ARE GORGEOUS.
10:40:10:13
Gok Wan
Oh my god I love this.
10:40:11:21
Clement
It’s an Uma Wang. Yeah.
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10:40:12:12
Gok Wan
Oh my god. That is absolutely beautiful.
10:40:16:06
Clement
15 years ago there are not so many young talented Chinese designers.
10:40:20:03
Gok Wan
Why was that do you think?
10:40:22:12
Clement
I think it was because you know, just check how long history Chinese fashion
industry have. I mean now it’s a golden time because like a second generation
even we call them a second reach generation, they all get the experience and
go abroad. And when they come back because they’re still Chinese so they try
to use their own knowledge with the study abroad and then makes it their own
route, their culture, the Chinese culture.
10:40:45:05
Gok Wan
Because it kind of makes sense if you’ve got your talent and you’ve got your
creativity here you can make it all under one roof. 1.2 billion people. That’s a
lot of pairs of trousers. You could be in a very short amount of time number
one in the fashion world right?
10:40:57:01
Clement
Yeah.
10:40:57:21
Gok Wan
And truly.
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10:40:58:12
Clement
Potential customers they’re all here. And also I think like ten years ago maybe
China is more about made in China but now we have so many young talent it’s
more about creativity. So it’s kind of changing into design China.
10:41:09:14
Gok Wan
Yeah.
10:41:13:13
NARRATOR
CLEMENT’S MARRIED THAT REMARKABLE WORK ETHIC THAT I’VE
SEEN THROUGHOUT MY JOURNEY TO SOMETHING I’VE NOT COME
ACROSS ON MY TRIP SO FAR, CREATIVITY AND ORIGINALITY. AND
GOOD FOR HIM. YOU KNOW ME.
I’M ALL FOR CHALLENGING THE
MINDSET AND EMBRACING THE INDIVIDUAL.
10:41:30:15
Clement
Perfect.
10:41:32:13
Gok Wan
It feels slightly underground. You know, China’s known around the world for
manufacturing product for every other country. You know, probably other than
themselves. I think by scratching the surface a little bit there are going to be
little hubs of people and industries just like this one trying to find their own
names and it feels almost like a revolution. It’s really exciting.
10:41:56:03
NARRATOR
IT WAS REASSURING TO FINAL FIND CREATIVITY ALIVE AND WELL
AMIDST THE FACELESS FACTORIES AND THE ENDLESS MASS
PRODUCTION.
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10:42:06:12
NARRATOR
THE CHINESE WORK ON AVERAGE NEARLY 50 HOURS A WEEK SO
WHERE BETTER TO UNWIND THAN THE PEOPLE’S PARK IN THE
CENTRE OF SHANGHAI.
10:42:24:03
NARRATOR
AND WHO COULD PASS UP THE OFFER OF A LESSON IN THE ANCIENT
ART OF THAI CHI FROM THE LOCAL MASTER MR CHOUX.
10:42:32:11
Gok Wan
Okay so now we’re turning. Ooh hello. Can’t see. Can’t see. Ooh, ooh, ooh,
ooh. What did you do? What did you do? What did you do? What did you
do?
10:42:41:12
Gok Wan
Ooh. Bollocks.
10:42:44:08
NARRATOR
AT LEAST THE LOCALS WERE CLEARLY IMPRESSED.
10:42:46:20
SUBTITLE:
Ridiculous trousers!
10:42:48:00
Gok Wan
Ooh my trousers are a bit too. Trousers being a bit too low. Right. He’s very
good isn’t he? Isn’t he very good? How long has Mr Choux been doing Thai
Chi?
10:43:08:04
Gok Wan
Hello.
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10:43:15:04
Gok Wan
I think he’s gone somewhere else now.
10:43:19:22
NARRATOR
MR CHOUX MAY HAVE ZENNED OUT BUT I THINK I’VE FOUND THE
UNIQUE CHINESE ATMOSPHERE MY DAD SAID HE MISSED IN THIS
QUIET OASIS SURROUNDED BY ALL THE SKYSCRAPERS.
10:43:39:17
Gok Wan
Strangely rewarding. And I think if I played badminton in London they might
think I was all mad. But I love it. The simple stuff back to how you have fun.
10:43:58:00
NARRATOR
DISCOVERING THE SIMPLE HUMAN SIDE OF CHINA HAS MADE MY TRIP
COMPLETE.
I’VE
ENCOUNTERED
A
NATION
THAT
PLACES
PRODUCTIVITY AND PROFIT BEFORE PEOPLE. I’VE BEEN SHOCKED
BY CHINA’S SHEER AMBITION AND OVERWHELMED BY THE DAILY
GRIND OF ITS WORKERS.
10:44:15:03
NARRATOR
I’VE BEEN AMAZED BY THE SHEER QUALITY OF THE MADE IN CHINA
BRAND AND BEEN BAFFLED BY THE CHINESE LOVE AFFAIR WITH
FAKERY. AND I’VE SEEN A GLIMPSE OF CHINA IN THE FUTURE. A
CONFIDENT, INNOVATIVE AND FREE SOCIETY WHERE IDEALS AND
INDIVIDUALISM ARE CHERISHED.
10:44:35:00
NARRATOR
BUT HAD MY EXPERIENCES HELPED ME COME TO TERMS WITH THE
THREE LITTLE WORDS THAT HAVE SENT ME ON THIS JOURNEY IN
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THIS FIRST PLACE?
10:44:44:14
Gok Wan
I don’t know whether I’m any closer to understanding what made in China
really means. And I think I thought that I might come here stupidly and in eight
days truly understand my Asian blood and understand everything about this
culture. But I don’t feel like I really fit in here. And I think I thought I might do.
But what I’d like to do I think is I’d like to come back and I didn’t think I’d say
that two days ago. But I’d like to come back I think and bring my dad and show
him what’s happened to China and how the country has changed.
10:45:12:00
Gok Wan
But maybe this is just the beginning. Maybe in 10 years time I might really
understand what it means to be half English and half Chinese. And maybe that
tattoo on the back of my neck will mean something completely different.
10:45:30:00
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10:45:57:04
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