Shenzhen was declared a Special Economic Zone in 1980 and has since been regarded as China's boomtown. From a small coastal town in the shadow of Hong Kong, the city has rapidly transformed into a prosperous economic metropolis. Due to the closely packed skyscrapers, Shenzhen's appearance is hardly distinguishable from that of Hong Kong, and economically, the two cities are increasingly seen as a unified region. Shenzhen is taking on a leading role for all of China: here, the market economy thrives under state control. Guy Delisle's travelogue from the Chinese metropolis is the result of a two-year stay in Shenzhen. On-site to coordinate the production of a series of animated films for a Belgian production company, Delisle encounters everyday problems, which he narrates rich in anecdotes.