A Class of Their Own

2013 • Directed by

Dahyun Kim

Documentary

With exceptional access over a twelve month filming period, Haryun follows the children of three migrant worker families in Guangzhou, China, during their final year at an unofficial 'Minban' primary school. The country's 'hukou' (household registration) system excludes migrant children from public education in its cities, relegating them to second-class citizenship. As Haryun captures the children's passions, struggles, frustrations and dreams she also observes the life-changing decisions they must take at this tender age - to return to their hometowns for further education, struggle to continue their studies in the city or enter the underground child workforce aged only fourteen.