Documentary takes a closer look at the new generation

The five-episode Post-00s focuses on teenage issues that include education, relationships with parents and confusion in interpersonal communication. [Photo provided to China Daily]

What is the image of China's new generation? In a society seeing dramatic changes, many people label them as "self-centered" or abandoning traditional values. However, a documentary series tries to find answers, not only from children but from adults as well.

The five-episode Post-00s (a term in China referring to those born in the decade after 2000) was premiered through the documentary channel of China Central Television on Sunday.

"No dramatic scenes were needed for this documentary," says Zhang Tongdao, a media professor at Beijing Normal University, who is also the director of the documentary.

"Every detail or line comes from their lives. What I did is to capture them."

Some typical teenage issues are featured in this kaleidoscope of teenagers' daily lives, including education, relationships with parents, and their confusion in interpersonal communication.

For example, in the documentary, there is a mother who quits her job to take care of her son. However, her relationship with the son seems to be an obstacle for the teen to make friends.

"I want to be a perfect mom," she says. "But sometimes you cannot be too perfect, because problems will come up. I know it, but I'm doing all this for love."

Other parents with high expectations get their children registered for extracurricular activities, like programming robots, which probably do not interest the children at first.

But there is a downside. As one child says: "When I really get focused, my parents think I should be more talkative."

Some social issues are also reflected in the documentary.