Yaoji & Qitong

Narrative Film (11:41)

Yaoji and Qitong is a story on two estranged sisters who reunite for their mother’s death. While their initial meeting is full of tension due to their past conflict, an unexpected act of support at the funeral begins to unconsciously mend their relationship. The film centers on the discussions of sisterhood and life and death. The filmmakers attempt to depict the subtle emotional flow between the sisters along with the development of their relationship.

The influence of urban social development on family dynamics is an underlying topic of the film. Through dialogues, the settings of the two sisters are revealed: their estrangement is not only because of their parents’ divorce and partiality but also due to the disparity in their living conditions after Qitong moves to a bigger city with their father. 

The story roots in Sichuan’s local culture and rites. The local landscapes are also an important part of the visual components.

Han is the screenwriter, director, and editor of Yao Ji and Qi Tong. She took charge of this project through the whole process from composing the story to the post production. After having the idea of creating a story on sisterhood based in my hometown, Chengdu, she brought it to a script and grounded it as a narrative short film with the team  assembled by herself.