The Farewell

A Chinese-American woman, Billi, returns to China to discover that her family has made the decision to hide her grandmother's terminal cancer diagnosis from her. The family plans a wedding as a means to gather everyone together for one last visit before the grandmother, Nai Nai, passes away. Billi struggles with the ethics of this deception while navigating her relationships with her family and her dying grandmother.

The Farewell was met with widespread critical acclaim, praised for its sensitive exploration of cultural differences, grief, and family dynamics. Critics lauded Lulu Wang's direction and script, as well as Awkwafina's nuanced performance, which balanced humor with emotional depth. The film resonated with audiences for its relatable portrayal of intergenerational relationships and the complexities of diaspora identity.

• A deeply personal and culturally insightful story that masterfully blends humor and heartbreak.
• Awkwafina delivers a career-defining performance as a woman torn between cultural expectations and her own feelings.
• Lulu Wang's directorial debut is a beautifully observed and affecting exploration of family and tradition.

Google audience: Audiences overwhelmingly praised "The Farewell" for its emotional resonance, humor, and authentic portrayal of Chinese-American culture. Many viewers connected with the film's themes of family, love, and the difficult choices that arise from cultural differences, with special commendation for Awkwafina's performance.

Nominated for a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Motion Picture Musical or Comedy (Awkwafina), and won the Critics' Choice Movie Award for Best Comedy. It also received a Gotham Independent Film Award for Best Feature.

The film is semi-autobiographical, based on a true story from director Lulu Wang's own life where her family similarly decided not to tell her grandmother about her cancer diagnosis.