28th June – 19:30 The Terry O’Toole Theatre
China/USA 2019
Dir: Lulu Wang
Cert: PG
100 mins
Starring: Zhao Shu-zhen, Awkwafina, Tzi Ma, Diana Lin
“The Farewell” centres around an extended Chinese family and the way in which they come to terms with the approaching death of the elderly Nai Nai, who has been diagnosed with terminal cancer. In keeping with the ancient Chinese practice of “collectivism”, the immediate family conspire to hide the truth from her, thus transferring the brunt of the emotional pain of the diagnosis to themselves. A reunion (actually a wedding!) in China of all the disparate branches of the family is organised, enabling everyone to spend what may be one last occasion with Nai Nai. However, Nai Nai’s granddaughter Billy, resident in the US, is not convinced of the wisdom of following ancient tradition. Will she be able to go along with the deception? A bitter-sweet , good-natured depiction of family values, Eastern and Western, “The Farewell” has proved to be a favourite with critics and audiences alike.
Trailer:
