中國自2000年後，DV攝影、剪輯器材的易取得性提升，開創個人影像（personal-image）新時代來臨，是「自我授權」（self-authorization）的開始。其中尤以新聞工作者、藝術家與知識份子率先投入獨立紀錄片（independent documentary）製作，活絡民間公民意識。

然2012年習近平上任以來，逐漸增強對網路訊息傳播的封鎖力度、打壓民間活動，促使社會氛圍趨於緊張，「意識形態國家機器」（Ideological state apparatuses）對媒介監管，官方對民間掌控不減反增，對獨立紀錄片工作者管控也越趨嚴厲。

經赴中國五大城市進行田野調查，本研究以中國獨立紀錄片發展脈絡為基礎，進而聚焦瞭解工作者「能動性」（agency），在政治與經濟夾縫中，以及精神壓力與生命受威脅情況下，仍突破重重難關，尋求紀錄與發聲機會。透過訪談再現原委，深刻瞭解紀錄片工作者遭遇，同時感受他們堅持的力量，讓觀影者深刻體會中國社會脈動。

From 2000, the popularity and accessibility of DV and editing equipment in China made contributes to the arrival of Personal-image era, which marked the beginning of self-authorization. Particularly, journalists, artists and intellectuals took the lead in the making of independent documentary, which encouraged ideas of citizenship.

However, since 2012, Xi Jinping strengthens the blockade of Internet, and suppresses all kinds of civic activities, which leads to an intensive social atmosphere. Ideological state apparatuses regulate the media, and the government tightens its control, especially on independent documentary workers.

After field studies in five major Chinese cities, this study is based on the development of Chinese Independent Documentary. It focuses on independent documentary workers’ agency, outlining their survival trenched in political and economical hardships, as well as their stressful mental stress and life-threatening condition as they break through obstacles to record and sound their voice. This essay reconstructs their experience through interviews. It will not only allow the audience to understand their sufferings, and experience their unrelenting persistence, but also have a in-depth understanding of Chinese social pulsation.