Sista

Sista is a coming of age story about Tiana (13) and Isabelle (11), two New Zealand/ Samoan sisters on the cusp of adolescence. As Tiana is drawn into the world of teenagerhood and seduced by the pressures it forces upon her, Isabelle feels left behind.

When Isabelle witnesses Tiana being handed a condom at school and then sees her take off with her older boyfriend TJ, she immediately jumps to conclusions and betrays Tiana’s trust by telling their strict Samoan mother, Ava. That evening when Tiana returns home an explosive argument results in Tiana taking off in the middle of the night.

Isabelle is left to deal with the guilt of betraying her sister, her fears for Tiana’s safety whilst on the run and also for when she returns home. Tiana, alone, afraid and trying to figure out how to survive goes to TJ as a last resort only to learn the harsh reality behind his true intentions towards her.

When Tiana decides to return home, she faces the inevitable consequences from her mother who cuts off her beautiful hair as a mark of shame. In the end Isabelle and Tiana are reunited and find strength in each other.