The Farewell

USA | NR | 98 min | English, Mandarin

Showings

State Theatre - Screen 1 Sat, May 11, 2019 3:30 PM
Emagine Royal Oak - Aud 7 Thu, May 16, 2019 6:30 PM
Event Info
Film Section:US Narrative
Category:Drama
Comedy
Family Drama
Fish Out of Water
Women Filmmakers
ST
Ann Arbor
Emagine
Royal Oak
Sponsored By:U-M Lieberthal-Rogel Center for Chinese Studies
Anne Baird (In Memory of Hans C. Cozak)
Audience Award:Yes
Film Info
Release Year:2019
Run Time (in minutes):98
Premiere Status:Michigan Premiere
Rating:NR
Production Country:USA
Language:English
Mandarin
Subtitles:with English subtitles
Previous Festivals:Sundance FF
Palm Springs IFF
Cast/Crew Info
Director:Lulu Wang
Notable Cast:Awkwafina

Description

After learning their beloved matriarch has terminal lung cancer, a family opts not to tell her about the diagnosis, instead scheduling an impromptu wedding-reunion back in China. Headstrong and emotional writer Billi (AWKWAFINA) rebels against her parents’ directive to stay in New York and joins the family as they awkwardly attempt to rekindle old bonds, throw together a wedding that only grandma is actually looking forward to, and surreptitiously say their goodbyes.A heartfelt celebration of both the way we perform family and the way we live it, The Farewell masterfully interweaves a gently humorous depiction of the good lie in action with a thoughtful exploration of how our cultural heritage does and does not travel with us when we leave our homes.
Featuring a post-film Q&A with Executive Director Eddie Rubin at both screenings!