Documentary film 'Born in 2000' triggers discussion on education
CGTN
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After 12 years of filming, “Born in 2000,” a documentary film by director Zhang Tongdao hit big screens in China on Tuesday, triggering discussion over childhood education.

The film focused on the growth of two children, Chi Yiyang and Wang Sirou. Both were born in 2001 and were from middle-class families, but of completely different personalities. Over a span of 12 years, the growing pains and gains of Chi and Wang, as well as their parents’ methods in education of their children were presented to the audience.

The documentary film is said to be the Chinese version of “63 Up” or “Boyhood,” but compared to those two, which leaves the time lapses more to the montage technique, “Born in 2000” prefers a topic-oriented way of narration. 

Parents send their children to college as new semester begins. /VCG Photo

Parents send their children to college as new semester begins. /VCG Photo

The central theme is “how education molds individuals,” or how individual children gradually change in accordance to the alternations in educational systems and environment.

As the new semester begins, the generation born in the 2000s entered college this year. The documentary offers a good chance for many parents to start talking about or reflecting on childhood education.

The generation was born in an era when the Chinese economy is rising rapidly and internet brings the explosion of information. While growing up, millennials embraced a prosperous lifestyle and diverse opportunities as well as temptations and frustrations that their parents have never experienced.

“The stories of the two children could give hope to about 80 percent of the parents whose children are not geniuses,” a movie goer said after watching the premiere. 

Parents send their children to college as new semester begins. /VCG Photo

Parents send their children to college as new semester begins. /VCG Photo

A child born in the 2010s said he also sees some of his own problems in the film.

“I saw myself on them. I learned from it that I am not the only one who has weaknesses,” he said.

According to Dr. Luo Jing of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, millennials grew up in a rapidly changing world and have a tendency to observe the world and life through more diverse perspectives.

They have their own thoughts, as well as their own expectations and dreams. It is very important for parents to respect and support them.

For director Zhang Daotong, the documentary film is more like “a letter to the young parents.”

“There is no such a standard method of education that could be applied to any circumstance, and there is no such master key that is able to open the heart of every child,” said Zhang.