Stay Awesome, China! is a documentary film that takes a unique approach to exploring modern Chinese society by focusing on the lives of its people. The film follows Winston "SerpentZA" Sterzel, a South African vlogger who has been living in China for over a decade, as he travels to some of the country's biggest cities to meet an eclectic group of individuals.
Throughout the film, Sterzel interviews a diverse range of people who are pushing the boundaries of convention in various ways. For example, he speaks with a young woman who is a popular nude photographer, challenging traditional attitudes towards nudity in China. He also meets a scientist who breeds genetically modified mosquitoes in order to combat diseases like malaria, and a young woman who is using technology to challenge gender stereotypes in the traditionally male-dominated world of DIY projects.
Through these conversations, Stay Awesome, China! offers a nuanced and intimate portrayal of modern China and its people. Along the way, Sterzel offers his own observations and insights, drawing on his experiences as a foreigner living in the country. The film was released in 2019 and has been praised for its engaging, up-close perspective on contemporary China.
