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Movie recommendation from Chrischi for the weekend

Delve into the moving Chinese drama, 'THE FAREWELL', this week - a riveting tale not to be missed.

, and ASMedia

2025 September 19 . 4:33 PM

2 min read

Movie recommendation from Chrischi for the weekend

In the small, elegant film titled "THE FAREWELL", Awkwafina plays the role of Billi, a young woman who finds herself in the midst of a family reunion under the guise of a wedding. The film is based on the personal experiences of its director and writer, Lulu Wang, and is a poignant exploration of cultural differences and the journey of self-discovery.

Billi, who gets along well with her vivacious grandmother Nai Nai, played by Zhao Shuzhen, has a strained relationship with her parents. When they reveal that Nai Nai in China has been diagnosed with incurable lung cancer and is kept in the dark about her condition, Billi struggles to hide her sadness. Despite her illness, Nai Nai remains full of life and participates in the wedding preparations.

The script of "The Farewell" never takes sides and steers clear of sentimentality. It raises the question: Is it better to know about an incurable illness or to live unaware and carefree in the remaining days? This heartwarming story based on a true lie is a testament to the power of family, love, and the importance of being true to oneself.

Awkwafina delivers a standout performance as Billi, a character torn between her duty to her family and her love for her grandmother. Zhao Shuzhen, as Nai Nai, brings the character to life with her vibrant energy and warmth. Hong Lu, Nai Nai's real-life sister, plays the character Little Nai Nai in the film.

The family decides to travel to China under the pretense of a grandson's wedding to say goodbye to Nai Nai, who remains unaware it's a farewell party. Some jokes in the film are telegraphed from a mile away, but the overall effect is moving and powerful.

"The Farewell" is simply excellent cinema. It's a film that will make you laugh, cry, and think, all at the same time. If you're looking for a thought-provoking and emotional film, "The Farewell" is definitely worth a watch.