Song Family Village Takes a Bride
Directed by Gary Seaman, Steven Rousso-Schindler, Zhifang Song
Synopsis
Most weddings in the village still reflect traditional patterns of patrilineal descent and patrilocal residence. The bride leaves her natal home to marry into her husband’s village, where she is a stranger among his many agnates (patrilineal kin). Recent changes in the village economy have strengthened the bargaining position of women and the present marriage customs reflect this process. In this film, the bride refuses to kowtow to the groom’s relatives, reflecting her ability to defy patriarchal traditions.