Sister (2021 film)

2021 Chinese coming of age drama film

Sister

Theatrical release poster

Chinese| 我的姐姐
Literal meaning| My older sister
Hanyu Pinyin| wǒ de jiějie
Directed by| Yin Ruoxi
Written by| You Xiaoying [zh]
Starring| Zhang Zifeng
Xiao Yang
Zhu Yuanyuan
Duan Bowen
Connor Leong

Production
company

Turan Studio

Distributed by| China Film Group Corporation
Micro Dream
Lian Ray Pictures
Red Star Macalline Films
New Film Association

Release date

* 2 April 2021 (2021-04-02)

Running time

| 127 minutes
Country| China
Languages| Standard Mandarin, Sichuanese
Budget| CN¥30 million (US$4.6 million)[1]
Box office| US$134.5 million[2][3]

Sister, also known as My Sister (Chinese: 我的姐姐), is a 2021 Chinese coming-of-age drama film directed by Yin Ruoxi and written by You Xiaoying [zh]. It stars Zhang Zifeng in the titular lead role, with Xiao Yang, Zhu Yuanyuan, Duan Bowen, and Connor Leong as the other cast members. It was released in China on 2 April 2021.[4] The film grossed US$52.8 million in its opening weekend,[3] replacing Godzilla vs. Kong as the top film at the weekend Chinese box office.[5]

The film has received positive reviews, with acclaim for Zhang's performance, and has sparked discussion about gender roles and traditional values in modern Chinese society.[6][7]

## Premise

[edit]

The film tells a story about the bond between an older sister and her younger brother. It was written and directed by You Xiaoying and Yin Ruoxi, both young female filmmakers. It examines themes of traditionalism in Chinese society, patriarchy, the traditional preference for sons over daughters, and filial piety.[6]

## Plot

[edit]

Elder sister An Ran was born into a family that desperately wanted a son. To obtain permission for another child, her parents falsely reported that she had a disability, claiming she was a cripple. Even when inspectors discovered the truth about her good health, her father brutally beat her to maintain the deception.

When applying for college, An Ran initially chose a clinical medicine program in Beijing, hoping to pursue a better future. However, her parents secretly altered her application to a nursing program in their hometown, believing that as a girl, she should start earning money and supporting the family as soon as possible. Determined to break free, An Ran saw pursuing a master's degree in Beijing as her only way out.

However, her carefully planned future is shattered when her parents die in a traffic accident, leaving behind her six-year-old younger brother. An Ran must decide whether to pursue her independence or bring up her 6-year-old half-brother.[6][7]

## Cast

[edit]

Performer  | Character  | Description

|
|

Zhang Zifeng | An Ran | an older sister
Xiao Yang | Wu Dongfeng | An Ran's uncle
Zhu Yuanyuan | An Rongrong | An Ran's aunt
Duan Bowen | Zhong Yong | driver in the accident
Connor Leong | Zhao Ming | An Ran's boyfriend
Jin Yaoyuan | An Ziheng | An Ran's younger brother

## Production

[edit]

A small-budget film,[5] Sister was shot in Chengdu from July to September 2020.[8][9] Like Farewell, My Lad (再见，少年), the film is a collaboration between Zhang Zifeng and Yin Ruoxi.[5][10]

The main theme song, "Sister", written by Zhang Chu and sung by Roy Wang, was released on 17 March 2021.[11]

## Box office

[edit]

The film was released on 2 April 2021, Qingming Festival weekend.[4][5] In its opening weekend, the film grossed US$52.8 million, surpassing Godzilla vs. Kong's earnings in China the same weekend. The film's success has drawn comparisons to Hi, Mom, another woman-written and woman-directed family-focused film that exceeded expectations at the box office earlier the same year.[5][12]

## Reception

[edit]

The film received a 100 percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on five reviews, with an average rating of 7.5/10.[13]

The film was well received by critics and audiences upon its release.[6] Its themes sparked discussion about traditional values, gender roles, and the role of women in China.[6][7] Sociologist Li Yinhe, who studies gender roles in China, called the movie "a profound work based on solid social reality" and noted the conflict between individualism and traditional family values.[7][14] Zhang Zifeng's performance was especially cited as the highlight of the film by critics, with some calling it a "breakthrough" and a "tour de force".[15][16] James Marsh of the South China Morning Post praised the film's acting and its "progressive stance" tackling social issues like gender inequality.[17]

## Awards and nominations

[edit]

Year  | Awards ceremony  | Category  | Nominee  | Result  | Ref

|
|
|
|
|

2021  | Huading Award | Best Supporting Actress  | Zhu Yuanyuan | Won  | [18]
Best Actress  | Zhang Zifeng  | Nominated
Best New Director  | Yin Ruoxi  | Nominated
Best Song  | Roy Wang  | Nominated
Best Supporting Actor  | Xiao Yang  | Nominated
Best Writing  | You Xiaoying  | Nominated
Best New Performer  | Jin Yaoyuan  | Nominated
15th Asian Film Awards | Best Actress | Zhang Zifeng | Nominated  | [19][20]
Best New Director  | Yin Ruoxi  | Nominated
Best Screenplay  | You Xiaoying  | Nominated
34th Golden Rooster Awards | Best Picture | Sister | Nominated | [21][22]
Best Actress | Zhang Zifeng | Nominated
Best Supporting Actor | Xiao Yang | Nominated
Best Supporting Actress | Zhu Yuanyuan | Won
Best Music | Gao Xiaoyang | Nominated
Best Sound Recording | Zhou Lei and Wu Lei | Nominated

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "《我的姐姐》两天票房近2亿，"张子枫"成清明档最大"黑马"？".
2. ^ "Boxoffice". Entgroup.
3. ^ a b "Sister (2021)". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved 7 April 2021.
4. ^ a b "《我的姐姐》曝中国式家庭特辑 众主创谈对中国式亲情的理解". Mtime时光网 (in Chinese). Archived from the original on 10 April 2021. Retrieved 2 April 2021.
5. ^ a b c d e Davis, Rebecca (4 April 2021). "China Box Office: 'Godzilla vs. Kong' Routed by Low-Budget Local 'Sister'". Variety. Retrieved 6 April 2021.
6. ^ a b c d e Feng, Jiayun (5 April 2021). "Homegrown movie 'Sister' dominates box office by shining rare light on male preference in Chinese families". SupChina. Retrieved 6 April 2021.
7. ^ a b c d Koetse, Manya. "Chinese Movie "Sister" Stirs Discussions on Traditional Family Values in China". Retrieved 6 April 2021.
8. ^ "张子枫《我的姐姐》开机 合作"普普"王圣迪". ent.163.com. 28 July 2020. Retrieved 6 April 2021.
9. ^ "陈思诚原想把张子枫吻戏留给刘昊然，呵呵呵！". k.sina.cn. 3 April 2021. Retrieved 6 April 2021.
10. ^ "艺恩-数据智能服务商_影片详情". www.endata.com.cn (in Chinese). Retrieved 2 April 2021.
11. ^ "张楚制作王源演唱，《我的姐姐》主题曲正式上线". www.bjnews.com.cn. Retrieved 6 April 2021.
12. ^ "China Box Office: 'Godzilla vs. Kong' Loses Second Weekend to Local Drama 'Sister'". The Hollywood Reporter. 5 April 2021. Retrieved 6 April 2021.
13. ^ "Sister". Rotten Tomatoes.
14. ^ "The film that beat Godzilla vs. Kong at the Chinese box office". South China Morning Post. 6 April 2021. Retrieved 6 April 2021.
15. ^ "《我的姐姐》登榜首，天才表演家张子枫，征服你的不只是"邪笑"". Retrieved 8 April 2021.
16. ^ "张子枫《我的姐姐》票房口碑双高 戳心表演引人共情". Retrieved 8 April 2021.
17. ^ "Sister: persuasive drama about gender inequality in China". South China Morning Post. 7 July 2021. Retrieved 22 August 2021.
18. ^ "The 30th Huading Awards
Chinese Film Satisfaction Survey Ceremony Announced the Winners in MGM Cotai Theater, Macao, China". www.businesswire.com. 13 August 2021. Retrieved 22 August 2021.
19. ^ "The 15th Asian Film Awards Nominations Announced". Asian Film Awards Academy. Archived from the original on 9 October 2021. Retrieved 9 September 2021.
20. ^ Souw, Rebecca; Frater, Patrick (8 October 2021). "'Wife of a Spy' Wins Top Prize at Asian Film Awards". Variety. Retrieved 9 October 2021.
21. ^ 第34届中国电影金鸡奖公布完整提名名单. qq.com (in Chinese). 29 November 2021. Retrieved 31 December 2021.
22. ^ 第34届中国电影金鸡奖完整名单. qq.com (in Chinese). 30 December 2021. Retrieved 31 December 2021.

## External links

[edit]

* Sister at Mtime.com (archived) (in Chinese)
* Sister at Douban (in Chinese)