Areas of Interest: Human society
Major work and awards:
" Melon and Her Watermelon" (Color/45'/DV/)
Film status:
"BOY OR GIRL"
Background:
Traditional values from thousands of years ago; the story of two generations of female reproduction; three different 'National Family Planning Policies'.
There are three ways of disrespecting ones parents; The worst is to have no heir.' This is a traditional Chinese teaching from more than two thousand years ago. If a woman fails to give birth to a son, she'll be considered disrespectful, an ill-fated person. That's the way it was in the 1970s; in the countryside, a mother with no son has always been looked down upon. In order to avoid censure she continues to have children but, unfortunately, she produces a daughter every time – six in all. This is at the height of the 'heroic mother' era, when reproduction was not limited.
When her daughters reach child-bearing age, they are subjected to the cruel 'basic national policy' of 'one child per family.' Can they produce sons? Faced with unbending reproductive limitations, her six daughters come under suspicion as they seek to marry. Under the influence of ancient tradition and modern policy, two generations of women are stricken by the question of child-bearing. This film seeks to address all sides of these seven women's feelings towards reproduction.
Current Status:
Future Film Plans:
