The Farewell: The Family Gathering, Reelive

Billi
Billi

I can’t pretend like this is normal.

Dad
Dad

It’s our duty to keep her happy.

Billi
Billi

But she deserves to know!

Dad
Dad

No, she doesn’t. Knowing will only make her suffer.

Billi
Billi

It’s not fair. This is wrong.

Dad
Dad

It’s about love, Billi. Love is sometimes keeping the truth from one you love.

The Farewell: Big Family Dinner, Reelive

Billi
Billi

What if she finds out?

Aunt
Aunt

She won’t. We’ll make sure of that.

Billi
Billi

Is this what family means? Lying to one another?

Aunt
Aunt

Yes! It’s our way of showing care.

Billi
Billi

But it’s her life!

Aunt
Aunt

And we are protecting it.

Billi
Billi

This isn’t how it should be.

Aunt
Aunt

No, it’s how it needs to be.

The Farewell: Billi's Confrontation, Reelive

Billi
Billi

Why can’t you just tell her?!

Mom
Mom

She doesn’t want to know!

Billi
Billi

How do you know that? You’re deciding for her!

Mom
Mom

We’re doing what’s best for her.

Billi
Billi

This is so messed up, Mom.

Mom
Mom

It’s not about you!

Billi
Billi

It is about me! I care about her!

Mom
Mom

Then you should understand.

The Farewell: Advice from Nai Nai, Reelive

Nai Nai
Nai Nai

It’s not easy to live, you know?

Billi
Billi

But you make it look easy.

Nai Nai
Nai Nai

You have to laugh at life.

Billi
Billi

But sometimes it hurts.

Nai Nai
Nai Nai

That’s why you laugh harder.

Billi
Billi

I wish I could laugh like that.

The Farewell: Final Conversation, Reelive

Billi
Billi

I love you, Nai Nai.

Nai Nai
Nai Nai

I love you too, Billi.

Billi
Billi

Promise me you’ll take care of yourself.

Nai Nai
Nai Nai

I’m not going anywhere.

Billi
Billi

But what if…

Nai Nai
Nai Nai

Don’t borrow worry.

Billi
Billi

I wish I could be as strong as you.

Nai Nai
Nai Nai

Strength comes from love.

Billy Wang

In some ways, you could think of it as a gift, this is what the world looks like underneath the surface.

Billy Wang

The Farewell, Reelive
Nai Nai

Sometimes I can’t tell if I’m laughing or crying.

Nai Nai

The Farewell, Reelive
Jiang

We’re not lying to her. We’re protecting her.

Jiang

The Farewell, Reelive
Billy Wang

What are you going to do with all those tears?

Billy Wang

The Farewell, Reelive
Jiang

A wedding is a good excuse to get everyone together.

Jiang

The Farewell, Reelive
Billy Wang

You don’t want to be the one left behind.

Billy Wang

The Farewell, Reelive
Billy Wang

There’s no way to prepare for losing someone you love.

Billy Wang

The Farewell, Reelive
Jiang

In our culture, we don’t say goodbye.

Jiang

The Farewell, Reelive
Nai Nai

We are still living, so we have to cherish every moment.

Nai Nai

The Farewell, Reelive
Billy Wang

If you can't laugh at these things, what can you laugh at?

Billy Wang

The Farewell, Reelive
Jiang

The truth is what matters to us.

Jiang

The Farewell, Reelive
Billy Wang

Life is full of surprises, and you never know what’s around the corner.

Billy Wang

The Farewell, Reelive
Nai Nai

Family is everything.

Nai Nai

The Farewell, Reelive
Jiang

You have to let go of what you think you know.

Jiang

The Farewell, Reelive
Billy Wang

This is the way it is in our family.

Billy Wang

The Farewell, Reelive
Nai Nai

A secret is like a heavy burden you carry around.

Nai Nai

The Farewell, Reelive
Billy Wang

I wish we could be truthful to each other.

Billy Wang

The Farewell, Reelive
Jiang

We can’t always control what life throws at us.

Jiang

The Farewell, Reelive
Nai Nai

Being together is what means the most.

Nai Nai

The Farewell, Reelive
Billy Wang

Love is what makes this all worth it.

Billy Wang

The Farewell, Reelive
Nai Nai

You don’t need to worry about me.

Nai Nai

The Farewell, Reelive
Billy Wang

It’s harder to be brave when you’re sad.

Billy Wang

The Farewell, Reelive
Jiang

There’s beauty in sadness.

Jiang

The Farewell, Reelive

The Farewell

The Farewell by Alex Weston, Main theme throughout the film

Reunion

Reunion by Alex Weston, Used during family gathering scenes

Leaving

Leaving by Alex Weston, Played during the farewell scenes


Download App

The Family Gathering

The family gathers in China for a wedding that is actually a farewell to their grandmother, Nai Nai, who is terminally ill. They decide to keep her diagnosis a secret from her. The moment is heavy with unspoken grief and love, as they put on a brave face in front of Nai Nai. The tension is visible as everyone struggles with the decision to hide the truth from her.

Context: This scene sets the tone for the entire film, highlighting the theme of familial bonds and the cultural clash between Eastern and Western attitudes towards death.

Billi's Emotional Struggle

Billi goes for a walk and reflects on the family's decision to lie to Nai Nai. She battles her emotions, torn between her love for her grandmother and her belief in honesty. Her frustration and sadness come to a head, showcasing her internal conflict through tears and solitary moments in the bustling streets.

Context: This scene emphasizes Billi's character as an outsider in her own family, feeling the weight of her Western upbringing against her family's traditional values.

Nai Nai's Wisdom

Nai Nai shares a story from her youth, reflecting on love and loss. She laughs and reminisces, but there’s an underlying sadness. This moment captures her vibrant spirit and reveals the emotional depth of her character, making her diagnosis even more poignant.

Context: Through this storytelling moment, viewers see Nai Nai not just as a sick elder but as a vibrant individual whose life experiences resonate with everyone.

The Wedding Proposal

During the wedding ceremony, the family creates a distraction for Nai Nai while they awkwardly plan how to say goodbye. The scene is filled with both joy and an undercurrent of sadness as they perform traditional rituals, having a good time while the reality of their situation looms.

Context: This moment captures the clash between celebration and sorrow, embodying the film’s central tension of love mixed with impending loss.

Billi and Nai Nai's Dance

Billi shares a spontaneous dance with Nai Nai, filled with laughter and smiles. This light-hearted moment contrasts sharply with the heavier themes of the film, showcasing their close bond. The joy of the dance highlights what is at stake—the grandmother’s life.

Context: This scene encapsulates the warmth of their relationship, emphasizing the heartwarming connection that makes the eventual goodbye so painful.

The Call with the Doctor

The family discusses the doctor's prognosis in hushed tones while Nai Nai is in another room. This scene builds tension as Billi listens, heart racing, struggling to comprehend their decision to keep the truth from her grandmother. This moment is pivotal, revealing their commitment to protect Nai Nai’s feelings.

Context: This moment reveals the significant cultural differences regarding how grief and death are handled, marking a turning point for Billi’s acceptance of her family’s choice.

Nai Nai's Dream

Nai Nai tells Billi about a dream where she feels alive and free, not aware of her illness. This moment is deeply moving, reflecting her spirit and resilience despite her condition. It’s a bittersweet reminder of the life she has lived and the legacy she leaves behind.

Context: Nai Nai’s dream signifies hope and denial, conveying the struggle between accepting reality and clinging to dreams, which resonates with the film’s themes of truth and lies.

The Goodbyes

As the family prepares to leave, there are emotional goodbyes with Nai Nai. The tears are genuine, laced with love and an unspoken fear of loss. Each family member expresses their love in their own way, marking the emotional climax of the film.

Context: This scene is crucial as it showcases the raw emotions tied to familial love and impending grief, elevating the emotional stakes for the audience.

Billi's Breakdown

After the farewell, Billi breaks down alone in her room, grappling with her emotions. She is conflicted about the lies her family told. This moment of vulnerability shines a light on her internal struggle and regret.

Context: Billi's breakdown serves as a cathartic release for her character and for the audience, reflecting the pain of holding secrets from loved ones.

Nai Nai in the Park

When Nai Nai is in the park, surrounded by friends, she glows with vitality, oblivious to the family’s secret. The contrast between this joyful moment and the reality of her health creates a powerful emotional disconnect.

Context: This scene emphasizes Nai Nai’s vitality and love for life, making the impending loss feel even more tragic.

The Lunch with the Family

The family sits down for a traditional meal, sharing laughs and stories while Nai Nai serves them. This moment highlights their love for each other, even as they grapple with the fact that it may be one of their last times together.

Context: This communal meal reflects cultural traditions and the significance of family ties, further embedding the audience into their world.

Billi's Speech

During the wedding toast, Billi stumbles through her words, at times heartfelt and at times unable to contain her emotions. This buildup exposes Billi’s inner turmoil as she grapples with the deception.

Context: The speech juxtaposes joy with heartache, laying bare the emotional conflict at the heart of the story.

Secrets Exposed

Billi finally confronts her family about their decision, leading to a heated discussion. This pivotal moment ignites the family dynamics, revealing deeper layers of each character's motivations and fears.

Context: This confrontation is a turning point, showcasing the clash between tradition and modernity within the family’s approach to loss.

Nai Nai’s Laughter

In a tender moment, Nai Nai shares a joke that makes everyone laugh. This moment serves to remind the audience of her spirit and liveliness, contrasting sharply with the somber mood surrounding her health.

Context: Nai Nai's laughter symbolizes the importance of joy even in the face of tragedy, resonating with the film's exploration of life and death.

The Family Photo

As the family gathers for a photo, the weight of the moment is palpable. They smile for the camera, but there's a somber undertone as they are aware of its significance. The photo will capture a moment that holds more than just a happy memory.

Context: This image becomes emblematic of the family's love and the moment they are all together before change sweeps in, underscoring the film’s themes of memory and impermanence.

The Last Walk

Billi takes one last walk with Nai Nai, reminiscing about childhood memories. The tenderness of their conversation juxtaposed with their impending farewell heightens the emotional stakes, making it a moving farewell.

Context: This scene beautifully encapsulates the bond between Billi and Nai Nai, reinforcing the themes of familial love and the importance of cherishing memories.

Billi Finding Solace

In the wake of Nai Nai’s health decline, Billi visits a local temple for comfort. This moment of solitude and reflection serves as a therapeutic release for her character, connecting deeper with her cultural roots.

Context: This scene symbolizes Billi's struggle to reconcile her Western sensibilities with her family's traditions, capturing a pivotal moment in her emotional journey.

Nai Nai's Memory

A beautiful montage shows Nai Nai's past, depicting her life, heritage, and family moments. This reflection deepens the understanding of her character and the sacrifices she has made for the family.

Context: This montage serves as a powerful reminder of life’s legacy, emphasizing themes of memory and the importance of family history.

The Quiet Conversation

A quiet moment between Billi and her father, where they both reflect their fears about losing Nai Nai. This intimate conversation connects them, showcasing vulnerability and shared grief.

Context: This scene highlights the generational differences in their grieving processes, deepening the audience's grasp of their relationship dynamics.

The Day After

The day after the wedding, the family faces the reality of Nai Nai’s condition. The somber atmosphere weighs heavy as they come to terms with their emotions, revealing varying responses to grief and loss.

Context: This moment serves as a stark reminder of the aftermath of the joyful celebration, perfectly capturing the theme of life continuing amidst sorrow.

Nai Nai’s Promise

Nai Nai makes a heartfelt promise to Billi, assuring her she will always be present in her life, even if physically gone. This poignant exchange captures the essence of their bond.

Context: Nai Nai's words encapsulate the film's exploration of life after death and the enduring nature of love, resonating with viewers in a profound way.

The Final Farewell

As Billi says her final goodbye to Nai Nai, the moment is thick with emotion. Unspoken words hang heavily in the air, and their embrace feels both loving and sorrowful. This moment solidifies the power of family love amidst grief.

Context: This final farewell serves as the heart of the film, emphasizing the enduring connections we carry with us, regardless of life’s challenges.


Download App

Real-Life Inspiration

The film's plot is inspired by director Lulu Wang's real-life experiences with her family, specifically the illness of her grandmother and the family's decision to keep it a secret from her.

Why it matters: This personal connection gives the film an authenticity and emotional weight, allowing audiences to feel the true familial bonds and the complexities of love, grief, and cultural differences.

Chinese Language Authenticity

The film features a mix of Chinese dialects, including Mandarin and the local dialect of the region where the grandmother lives.

Why it matters: This linguistic authenticity enhances the realism of the film, immersing viewers in the cultural context and making the characters' interactions more relatable for audiences familiar with the language or cultural nuances.

Casting of Awkwafina

Awkwafina was initially considered only for the supporting role of Billi but won the lead role after impressing the director with her audition.

Why it matters: Awkwafina's performance infuses the character with authenticity, humor, and emotional depth, ultimately making Billi a memorable and relatable protagonist whose struggles resonate with many viewers.

Filming in China

Much of the film was shot in China, specifically in cities like Changchun, to authentically represent the setting and culture.

Why it matters: This choice further grounds the film in reality, allowing viewers to experience the contrasts between American and Chinese family dynamics and the significance of cultural customs.

Family Cameo

Lulu Wang's real family members make cameo appearances in the film, including her actual grandmother who is the inspiration for the character.

Why it matters: These familial appearances deepen the authenticity of the narrative and create a poignant connection between real life and fiction, reinforcing the film's emotional impact.

Climactic Wedding

The wedding scene, which serves as a cover for the family's gathering, was deliberately designed to be grand and colorful to symbolize celebration amidst sadness.

Why it matters: This visual contrast highlights the film's central themes of joy intermingled with sorrow, offering audiences a nuanced view of family gatherings in the face of impending loss.

Cultural Consulting

The production team consulted with various cultural experts to ensure accurate portrayals of Chinese customs and family dynamics.

Why it matters: This attention to detail not only shows respect for the culture but also enriches the story, making it resonate with audiences from diverse backgrounds while remaining authentic.

Intimate Filming Style

Wang opted for a more intimate cinematographic style, using close-ups and soft lighting to convey the emotional nuances of the characters.

Why it matters: This approach enhances audience engagement with the characters and their experiences, allowing viewers to intimately share in the characters' joys and sorrows.

First-Time Director's Cut

Lulu Wang had full creative control over the film's editing process, marking it as her feature debut with significant artistic freedom.

Why it matters: This autonomy allowed her to craft a narrative that reflected her personal vision, emphasizing the importance of female perspectives in storytelling.

Music Selection

The film's soundtrack features a mix of traditional Chinese music and modern compositions to reflect the generational gap within the family.

Why it matters: The contrasting musical styles enhance the themes of cultural blending and the shared yet divergent experiences of the characters across generations.

Focused on Emotion

The script underwent significant rewrites to capture the delicate balance of humor and heartbreak, reflecting real family dynamics.

Why it matters: This exploration of emotion makes the story relatable, inviting viewers to laugh and cry alongside the characters, and ultimately deepening the film's emotional resonance.

Innovative Use of Silence

Scenes often use silence strategically, letting the weight of the unsaid moments hang in the air, particularly around the grandmother.

Why it matters: This choice invites viewers to engage deeper emotionally, heightening the tension and intimacy of family dynamics as they navigate difficult conversations about mortality.

Authentic Dialogue

The dialogue in the film includes spontaneous moments that were inspired by actual conversations the director witnessed within her family.

Why it matters: These organic dialogues lend an additional layer of realism and relatability to the characters, making their interactions feel genuine and impactful.

Symbolic Food

Food plays a significant role in family gatherings, with specific dishes reflecting culture and familial love, such as shared dumplings.

Why it matters: Food symbolizes connection and tradition throughout the film, reinforcing how meals serve as a bridge for communication and shared experiences among family members.

On-Set Language Lessons

Awkwafina and other cast members participated in language workshops to improve their fluency and pronunciation for the film.

Why it matters: This effort by the cast not only elevated their performances but also demonstrated a commitment to authenticity, enriching the viewing experience for audiences.

Cultural Identity

The film explores the nuances of cultural identity for first-generation immigrants, a theme that Wang wanted to portray within her own family's context.

Why it matters: By addressing this theme, the film creates space for broader conversations about belonging, identity, and the immigrant experience.

Filmmaking Process

Lulu Wang shared early cuts of the film with her family for feedback, making several changes based on their reactions.

Why it matters: This collaborative process highlighted the importance of family voices in the narrative and enhanced emotional resonance, ensuring that it felt true to the experiences depicted.

Naturalistic Acting

The cast was encouraged to improvise during scenes to capture genuine reactions and interactions, steering away from rigid scripts.

Why it matters: This approach fosters a realism that enhances the emotional authenticity of scenes, making the artifice of traditional filmmaking less pronounced and drawing audiences closer to the characters.

Emotional Last Scene

The film's ending, which emphasizes ambiguity regarding the grandmother's future, was crafted deliberately to provoke thought and discussion.

Why it matters: This choice reflects the complexities of life and death, leaving viewers with a lingering emotional impact that sparks personal reflection and conversation.

Cinematic Techniques

Director of Photography Anna Franquesa Soler used natural lighting to create a more intimate and personal atmosphere for the family scenes.

Why it matters: This technique enhances the film's emotional depth, allowing for a more immersive experience that resonates with audiences on various levels.

Cameo from a Famous Director

Director Barry Jenkins made a cameo appearance in the film, similar to the tradition of filmmakers making subtle appearances in their works.

Why it matters: This connection to another acclaimed filmmaker not only serves as an homage but also reflects the support within the film community, encouraging a sense of solidarity among diverse voices.

Cultural Symbolism

The frequent use of the characters' interactions with nature, such as the scenes in the fields, symbolizes the cycle of life and familial connections.

Why it matters: These visual metaphors enhance the film's thematic depth, inviting viewers to consider life beyond the immediate storyline and reflect on broader existential concepts.

Surprising Audience Reception

When screened at various film festivals, the film received unexpected acclaim for its heartfelt portrayal of a complex family dynamic.

Why it matters: This positive reception at festivals helped solidify the film's reputation, leading to a wider audience appreciation and deepening discussions about cultural representation in cinema.


Download App

The Social Media App for Movie & TV Enthusiasts
👉 Reelive App 👈

No mods, no censorship—just a space to relive epic movie moments. Like Reddit, but made for movie lovers.

Download App

Only Yesterday

Wonder

Facing the Giants