Shout, shout, let it all out: Gaokao 2009

The national university entrance examination: a rite of passage for many Chinese students, and all important, some might say, in determining much of what happens in your life afterwards. It's a lot of pressure for 17 and 18 year-old kids. This video was taken in Hankou, supposedly before the test. One might be more inclined to celebrate afterwards, though of course those that might not have done so well would perhaps seek solace in Johnny Walker, as one does in times of need.

Comments are interesting: some wax nostalgic about the leadup to the test and their high school years, while others criticize these students, born in the 1990s, for being so emotionally fragile that they need to engage in collective catharsis of this sort.

There was recently a movie made about the reinstitution of the gaokao back in 1977, after the Cultural Revolution. You can watch the whole movie, called Gaoakao 1977 (高考 1977）right here.