I’m not a big fan of melodramas, but there are themes for which the genre of melodrama is very appropriate. In ‘The Farewell‘, written and directed by Lulu Wang we find some of them. It is the director’s second feature film, a film about emigration and family, about the cultural differences between the country of origin and the adoptive country and about the confrontation of the second generation of emigrants with this conflict. The distance that emigration creates is not only geographical between the members of families dispersed throughout the world, it exists in many cases inside the souls of those who have left one country to build a new life in another.
‘The Farewell‘ succeeds, in my opinion, to be both a very Chinese film in its approach to traditions and social aspects, and a very universal film in describing the sometimes drama-filled relationships and the personal crises in families scattered around the world by emigration. Some of the most memorable scenes in the film take place around copious meals, shared in Chinese style, in which the family spread around the world gets together for the first time after many years of distance. These scenes have resonated for me and I think for many other viewers who have experienced emigration and separation from part of their families. Dramas, quarrels, joy mixed with nostalgia but also with old tensions resurrected or with new frictions created by distances and the different realities in which the family members live – these are all common to many families scattered around the world, be they Chinese, Irish, Jewish, Italian , East European, Latin American, African, or of any other origin. The other theme of the film, that of the confrontation with the terminal illness of a close relative, will also be familiar to many viewers who have encountered such situations in life. The dilemma faced by the heroes of the film, whether or not to communicate to the mother and grandmother remained in China the news of the fatal malady that is likely to kill her in no more than three months, is presented by Lulu Wang as a cultural dispute between the Western and traditionally Chinese approaches in such a situation. However, many other families in all corners of the world have encountered it.
”The Farewell‘ demonstrates the merits and the limitations of the genre. As it is structured, the film could be distributed in China as well, which is fine, but the differences between China and the rest of the world are not just cultural, and the film completely avoids any direct political reference. On the other side, the family drama is played with sensitivity and finesse, cultural differences approached with discretion, humor and respect for tradition. Awkwafina is one of the singers who are launching actresses’ careers, others have done it, among them Björk and Lady Gaga, but each time they have disappeared after outstanding but singular demonstrations of talent and well-deserved success. I hope that it will not happen and with her. The role of the young American who came a child from China, keeping in mind the memories and nostalgia for the country of origin, living her American life without breaking with her roots, is perfectly suited to Awkwafina and this year’s Golden Globe Award shines in my eyes. as strong as the Academy Award. Chinese actress Shuzhen Zhao plays the role of grandmother, and she is excellent as well. The whole cast is actually very good, and towards the end of the film we have the feeling that we were adopted into this family. I do not know Chinese realities well enough to comment on the authenticity of details, situations, sets, but they all seemed interesting and well drawn. ‘The Farewell‘ does not completely avoid stereotypes and common places, but uses them with finesse and places them in the right spots. Recommended viewing.