VTV Special – Big Sister: a true story about the lives of children in the mountainous region

The documentary produced by the Educational Programs Center is under the project Baby On The Way, a joint cooperation among Vietnam, Italy, South Korea, Chile, Cambodia and Thailand.

The documentary tells the story of Pia, an 8-year-old girl from the Ha Nhi ethnic minority group in Lao Cai province. Pia is the elder sister of a three child family. Pia’s brothers Gớ Dò (6 year old) and Gió Hờ (4 year old) always trouble her. That’s why she dreams of having a sister. However, her mother’s fourth child continues to be a boy. Pia is disappointed.

“During the first three days of filming we disturbed Pia’s family routine as they are not accustomed to have cameras in the house. But later, they get used to the film crew and acted more naturally,” screenwriter Phan Y Ly recalls the day they were working at Pia’s house.

“We shot this family routine real time where events were portrayed as they occurred. So everything: the events, the feelings are true,” she added.

Without narration, but through characters’ voices, the documentary is expected to bring a vivid experience to the audience.