Whispers in May is about Qihuo and her friends, Atnyop, Itgop, and Itsi, Manchurian girls and teens living in China. Atynop and Qihuo count the money their parents send, needing that money for a skirt for Qihuo’s ceremony. They go to a market and find that skirts are more expensive than the ones in town. The problem is that that town is five days away on foot, but nonetheless, they persist and make that journey. They do so despite the weather conditions but thankfully, the locals open their doors for these children at night.

This film, for better or for worse, follows the stereotypical documentary ethos of not interfering with its super young subjects. Most reviewers are on board with its approach with the exception of one person who thinks the director is sadistic. I don’t necessarily agree with that interpretation in Whispers in May, a documentary that has moments that feel fictional. Sure, a random male adult was willing to drive them to town, but they asked to get off part way. They do so because they want to see some flowers which, you know what, let them do what they want.

Whispers in May is also visually dynamic, mixing things up with, duh, close-ups of its subjects and stepping far back. In doing so, it reminds its viewers of the complexity of contemporary China and the children who are growing up there. There are many scenes that capture these girls just hanging out and laughing, making jokes about life with periods. And the landscapes show viewers that nature still wins over modernity, even with China’s recent hyper-capitalism.. This means that these girls still can’t have access to travel, but it also means they can still enjoy things before adulthood.