A First Farewell

Isa (Isa Yasan) and Kalbinur (Kalbinur Rahmati), childhood friends in a small Xinjiang village, navigate the challenges of growing up as Uyghur children. Isa, a compassionate boy, balances schoolwork with caring for his deaf mother and helping on his family's farm, while Kalbinur struggles with academic expectations and her strict family environment. As they face increasing pressure to assimilate, the children experience multiple emotional farewells that test their resilience and friendship. Their daily lives reveal the complex realities of minority children in rural China, highlighting the delicate balance between traditional life and cultural transformation. This intimate portrait explores the innocence and challenges of youth in a marginalized community. "A First Farewell" is an award-winning 2018 Chinese documentary film directed by Lina Wang that offers a poignant glimpse into the lives of Uyghur children.