Big Sister, Little Sister

It's not politically correct to say so, but viewing Big Sister, Little Sister, leaves the impression of "So?" Sisters Arvina Thayer and Irene Kennan are two Winnebago women in Wisconsin. Marketed as "women's history and literature media," this short (15 minute) video is comprised of slides transferred to video with voice-overs from the sisters. Why the producer might think the viewer would be thrilled to stare at photos of fabric while listening to a musical interlude is something of a mystery. We look at photos of the sisters fiddling with an exquisite basket on the table, but the basket itself isn't part of the story. Aside from the old-fashioned low-tech nature of this format, the "interview" doesn't contain anything especially unique to the Native American experience, or anything out of the ordinary experience of adult siblings for that matter. (The older one used to be jealous of "The Baby;" "The Baby" was resentful of that title.) Anyway, the price is certainly astonishing. Not recommended. (R. Reagan)