For his first feature film Dìdi (弟弟) – the Mandarin word for little brother – writer and director Sean Wang, chose to look to his past, 2008 to be specific, for inspiration in order to look forward.
2008 is a time where the film’s protagonist Chris, Sean’s alter ego played charmingly by Izaac Wang, is caught between wanting to explore this new world of modernity where his culture and race as a Taiwanese American boy might not matter in a way it did before, and not understanding what his mother Chungsin (Joan Chen), older sister Vivian (Shirley Chen), and Nai Nai – his grandmother played by Sean’s actual grandmother Chang Li Hua -want from him, or from themselves and each other.
In the red carpet interview before the film’s screening at Sundance, Wang spoke with me about Dìdi (弟弟), being a love letter, homage and apology to the women in his life, his heritage, and the boy he once was. Joining him on the carpet to speak with me were Vivian Chen, Joan Chen, Izaac Wang, and Mahaela Park who plays Madi, Chris’s love interest.
Dìdi (弟弟) had its world premiere in the U.S. Dramatic Competition program at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival, where it won the Audience Awards Presented by Acura (with U.S. Documentary submission Daughters by Angela Patton).
Wang’s short film Nǎi Nai & Wài Pó (Grandma & Grandma), has been nominated for an Academy Award in the Best Documentary Short category.
Carolyn Hinds
Freelance Critic, Journalist & Podcaster
African American Film Critics Association Member, Tomatometer-Approved Critic
Co-Host & Producer So Here’s What Happened! Podcast
Bylines at http://Authory.com/CarolynHinds
Twitter & Instagram: @CarrieCnh12
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