In her graduating film, “Sister”, CalArts alumni, Siqi Song explores the meaning of being a second child. It wouldn´t be that big of a deal, if it wasn´t China during the One Child Policy period.
Made in wool, Song portrays everyday life in a family of brother and sister. The jealousy, the rivalry, the fellowship, with just a splash of color in the girl´s hair bow. “Sister” is nominated for an Annie among other awards, and has won several awards already.
The One Child Policy was implemented in 1980 until 2015, to address the growth rate of the country’s population, which the government viewed as being too rapid.
The choice of a parent to have a second child could be difficult for the family, so as a rare second child, Song knows how special her status is, and makes her film not about her, but about the older brother. Because the final phrase on the short, “Dedicated to the siblings we never had”, leaves many of us with the question: Would we be any different if we had/had not have a sibling?
You can check Siqi´s work here.
