Sister - Screening Shorts

As an only child, Bernie initially enjoys all her parents’ attention - baking, building and playing games. But when the new baby comes home there is a definite shift in the dynamics. How will Bernie cope? Will she rise to the occasion and learn how to be a big sister?

Clip Details

Genre: Drama

Country of Origin: UK

Clip Length: 03:11

Age Group: P5-P7

Classroom Activities

01 Critical

The film has no dialogue – why do you think that is?
How would you describe the soundtrack?
Look at the scenes before and after the baby’s arrival. How do they differ? Why is this?
When is the turning point in Bernie’s relationship with the “new baby”? How does Bernie feel before the turning point? How does she feel afterwards?
How does the new relationship make her feel? How does the director communicate this?
What symbols does the director use to represent Bernie’s feelings and her new self-awareness?

02 Cultural

What other films, TV show, novels, etc. can you think of that deal with sibling rivalry? What rivalries are there? Are they resolved positively?
Compare this film to ‘Nits’/a> which deals with a different take on a sibling dealing with a pregnancy. What other complex feelings about parents being distracted are dealt with in this film?
What kind of a person is Bernie? Why do you say that?

03 Creative

Clip Details

Genre: Drama

Country of Origin: UK

Clip Length: 03:11

Education Level: Second Level