Family drama triggers sibling ethics discussion
- By Zhang Rui
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E-mail China.org.cn, April 9, 2021
The domestic family drama film "Sister" has triggered a heated social discussion about feminism and family relationships.
"Sister," from emerging director Yin Ruoxin, tells the story of a girl faced with choosing between pursuing her own dreams and raising her younger brother after their parents die in a car accident.
The trending discussion about this scenario had attracted more than 500 million views on China's microblogging platform Weibo by Tuesday. While some said following tradition in regard to family ethics, the sister should raise her younger brother, others argued that people should respect her choice and challenge the old tradition respecting women to sacrifice their own lives, career and dreams for the overall interests of the family.
The film, starring Zhang Zifeng, Jin Yaoyuan and Xiaoyang, had earned 521 million yuan by Tuesday following its debut on April 2. It was the biggest box office gainer during China's Tomb-sweeping Day holiday, also known as Qingming Festival, even beating the Hollywood blockbuster "Godzilla vs. Kong" in the Chinese film market during this period.
The award-winning screenplay writer You Xiaoying said the film sought to explore family relationships, and whether young women's voices should be heard when they are under pressure and bias.
The film deals with wide range of hot topics from sibling relationships, feminism, women's choice on giving birth, China's hidden bias of "preferring boys over girls" and China's relaxed birth policy.
China's newly issued Civil Code, adopted in 2020 and going into effect on Jan. 1, 2021, stipulates that if the parents die or lose their ability to take care of their underage children, the grandparents or adult brothers/sisters should take care of the underage siblings.
Other third-party individuals or organizations that are willing to serve as guardians of a minor in such scenario can also apply for the guardianship, but they must obtain the consent of the local residential committee, village committee or civil affairs departments where the minor lives.
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