In today's China, women face a tough crowd. On the surface, comedy isn't a place they'd usually be associated with, yet in the heart of Beijing, a small group of mostly young women gathered to appreciate the humor of their lives.  The scene is a small Western-style restaurant full of laughter and chatter.  It was a quiet evening when comedians told jokes about life in the office and managing family issues. These performers don't just tell jokes because they need to  be funny.  Being funny is a shield.  Alex Wang, the only female comic in the group, kickstarted her stand-up journey a few years back.  It's more than just being a comedienne, though.  She wants to grow as a woman in a field where she's mostly surrounded by men, usually it is a sea of men.  She didn't just start a journey of comedy, she started a journey to find her voice as a woman.

The humor is just the skin of the lemon.  Women in China make strides.  But, Comedy is a new way they are getting their point across.  Existential feelings aren't the only irony.  China is home to many women, but this gives the government an uneasy feeling.  President Xi Jinping himself solicited women for their childbearing abilities.  The ironic part is the government doesn't support female rights groups, In China, ideas about equality in the workplace have been forgotten. There are no female members left in the Politburo, which is the senior committee of the ruling political party.  Other groups are solved harder.  Feminist groups have to be tough, after feminist activist "Huang Xueqin" was taken to prison for her activism six months ago.

"The film "Her Story" was not only a success in China.  The Couch potatoes that make up the box office took no time to fall in love with it.  The film got the praise from the government as well. The state-run newspaper People's Daily loved the film because of the bias commentary of society in this film.  The film was a block-buster.

At first glance, it feels like a comedy about everyday life, but there's an actual peel to show the inner layers of society. "Her Story" follows two women in Shanghai.  The film doesn't have a censored angle, it's about everyday issues that are shared between women.  Shan Youhui, the director of the movie, is a famous director for comedies.  It is the largest comedy in China.   Film directors are always at a crucial point as for what they can or can't do.  The film's success is thought provoking and a step forward for female comedies.

Comedic experiences wouldn't have been possible without women who take the stage. Women like Yang Li and Wang are iconic in Chinese stand-up, who frequently discuss societal issues through humor. But comedians also deal with backlash. Yang Li experienced a social media backlash for humorous content about men.

Then there is the never-ending censors.  The government and everyone is looking to be in the spotlight of humor. It can be tough, though. Chinese comedians have to be careful.  One joke about the army led to a fine. But there is no better way to say it.

Comedy is a powerful tool to talk about difficult topics, and it can get audiences thinking. Nico Toomuch has been on stage since 2016, mostly joked about marriage, periods, and depression.

Laughing Through Challenges

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