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"One Child Nation," Nanfu Wang's acclaimed documentary released in 2019, delves deep into the tumultuous era of China's one-child policy, which was enforced from 1979 to 2015. Through a compelling blend of interviews, personal narratives, and archival footage, the film offers an exploration of the policy's massive impact on Chinese society. Wang's intimate connection to the policy, having grown up in rural China during the policy's implementation, gives the documentary a sense of personal investment. This perspective serves as a unique lens through which foreign viewers can better understand the human experience behind the policy and in China at that time as a whole. Central to the documentary's narrative is the uncovering of the methods used by the Chinese government to enforce the one-child policy. Through interviews with midwives, officials, and activists, Wang exposes the intricate web of propaganda, coercion, and corruption used to force compliance. The film sheds light on the moral dilemmas faced by individuals like Huaru Yuan, a former midwife, who grapples with remorse over her role in performing countless mandatory/forced abortions and sterilizations. She talks about how, in many cases, the women were treated like animals, dragged to her bound or unconscious to be sterilized/have abortions. Yuan's touching story underscores the profound psychological toll exacted on those made to carry out the government's mandates. Conversely, figures like Shuqin Jiang, a family planning leader, offer a stark defense of the policy, citing its purported necessity in addressing overpopulation. Jiang's support for the policy highlights the enduring influence of state-driven propaganda, which sought to justify the policy's draconian measures. The effects of this propaganda were seen in others she interviewed who refused to bad-mouth the policy, calling it a necessary step for China’s growth. One of the documentary's most striking themes is the widespread sexism that took place in the one-child policy. Through painful interviews, Wang exposes the systemic devaluation of female children, which resulted in widespread abandonment and trafficking of baby girls. The film explores how this gender bias continues to reverberate through Chinese society, manifesting in skewed gender ratios and societal attitudes. Wang further examines her own family's attitudes toward gender, revealing the deeply ingrained biases perpetuated by the policy. In conclusion, "One Child Nation" stands as a sad testament to the enduring legacy of China's one-child policy. Through meticulous research and empathetic storytelling, the documentary explores the policy's moral complexities and long-lasting societal repercussions. It also serves as a powerful call to action, urging viewers to reckon with the human cost of state-imposed population control and regulations on women's rights.