Street Life (2006): cast, story & where to watch
2006 · Film · ★ 6.5
Released in 2006, Street Life is a documentary film directed by Zhao Dayong, running about 98 minutes.
What it’s about. Street Life documents the lives of Chinese migrants in Shanghai, one of the world’s largest and most vibrant cities, now symbolic of China’s economic might. The film centers on Nanjing Road, one of China’s oldest commercial streets and today a popular destination for tourists and moneyed Chinese. The street has also become a Mecca for uprooted and homeless Chinese, who make ends by collecting garbage and recyclables. These characters and their stories are the focus of the film. The central character in Street Life is a migrant known as “Black Skin.” Black Skin faces numerous pressures in the course of the film, including police violence. In the end, these pressures are too much for him to bear and he goes mad. Black Skin’s story intersects with those of fellow bottle collectors, enterprising thieves and even a young boy who has been abandoned.
How it landed. With an audience score of 6.5/10, Street Life has drawn a solid, mixed-to-positive response.
Where to watch. In US you can rent or buy it from Amazon Video. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch Street Life page.
If you liked it. Fans of Street Life tend to enjoy One Direction: This Is Us, Burn the Stage: The Movie, BTS World Tour: Love Yourself - Japan Edition and Senna.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch Street Life (2006)?
- In US, Street Life is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video. Availability varies by country — check our where-to-watch page for every region.
- Is Street Life worth watching?
- Street Life holds an audience score of 6.5 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy documentary. Reactions are mixed, so it may depend on taste.
- When was Street Life released?
- Street Life was released in 2006, with a runtime of about 98 minutes.