Sister Cities (film)

Sister Cities is a 2016 American drama film directed by Sean Hanish, based on the play of the same name by Colette Freedman. The film stars Stana Katic, Troian Bellisario, Michelle Trachtenberg, Jess Weixler, Jacki Weaver, Amy Smart, and Alfred Molina.

The story revolves around four estranged sisters – Carolina (also known as "Caro" or "Berlin"), Dallas, Austin, and Baltimore – who are brought together by the sudden and unexpected death of their mother, Mary. Each sister is named after a city that held significance for their mother at various points in her life. Mary was a dancer who had a complex relationship with each of her daughters, leading to significant tension and unresolved issues among them.

As the sisters gather to mourn and fulfill their mother's last wishes, secrets from the past are revealed, forcing them to confront their individual pain, insecurities, and the dysfunctional dynamics that have defined their relationships. The film explores themes of family, loss, grief, forgiveness, and the enduring bonds of sisterhood, even amidst conflict and resentment. The narrative weaves between the present and flashbacks to earlier periods in the sisters’ lives, providing context for their current relationships and revealing the influences that shaped their individual personalities. The film examines how family secrets and individual traumas can impact generations and how communication and understanding can potentially lead to healing and reconciliation.