The Farewell

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raj101
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The Farewell

#1 Post by raj101 » Tue Sep 17, 2019 8:14 pm

I am not good with sentimentalist movies, so this was ok but nothing major. I am not good with death either, though I've seen hundreds die (in hospitals, I'm not an assassin), I just find death an annoyance more than anything else. That said the film had more thanenough wry observations and comic scenes to keep it interesting, though the acapello soundtrack got cloying. I appreciated the trip to changing china and the chinese wedding there, things I will likely never do/see myself.

excellent final scene.

3/5
Last edited by raj101 on Wed Sep 18, 2019 3:18 pm, edited 3 times in total.
fav 5 films of the year - Tenet, Bill n Ted 3, Invisible Man, JoJo Rabbit, ?

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Re: The Farewell

#2 Post by ladams888 » Tue Sep 17, 2019 11:56 pm

Saw this in a moderately full Wimbledon Odeon. I knew nothing about the film before going in. It was a Chinese family drama (based on a true story) exploring the conflicts amongst expat Chinese who had made their homes elsewhere (in this case the US and Japan) and their relatives who had remained in China. The protagonist, Billi, had been brought up in the US and returns to China with her family when she learns that her grandmother is dying. However, according to Chinese custom, the dying person is not told of their impending death. Despite the morbid subject matter, there was much humour as a hasty wedding is arranged in order to get the whole family together to say their last farewells to the matriarch of the family. The wedding scene itself was wonderful – with copious food, emotional speeches, off-key karaoke, dancing and drinking games.

An enjoyable film – not a major box office hit, but fun nevertheless. 6/10

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Re: The Farewell

#3 Post by ROBO » Wed Sep 18, 2019 8:59 am

I saw this at the O2 yesterday with quite a full audience.
I thought it was really good.
I wasn't put off by the subtitles as the storyline was good and quite comedic at times, in spite of the subject.

7/10👍🏻

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Re: The Farewell

#4 Post by prettyxcool » Sun Sep 22, 2019 6:19 pm

At last an East Asian granny and family, without any stereotypes. So refreshing with a great script. Charming, beautiful, very funny and very insightful of Chinese culture and also very moving.

Excellent performances especially from Awkwafina and Zhao Shuzhen, both very convincing as granddaughter and grandmother. The relationship is very relatable and authentic. Some scenes are hilarious, such as the cousin and his wedding to his Japanese girlfriend of 3 months, orchestrated as an excuse for the whole family to gather back in China, so the grandmother does not know the real reason they are there, since she has not been told she has been diagnosed with terminal cancer, as Chinese culture dictates.  9/10

"According to a 2017 study published in the medical journal Supportive Care in Cancer, withholding information about a terminal diagnosis is common in Asian countries such as China, Japan and Singapore, as well as some Western countries, including Spain, Italy and Greece."

Very good article - has the lie meant that the director's real life grandmother is still alive 6 years later? She is yet to see film.

https://eu.usatoday.com/story/entertain ... 115192001/

Would living a happier life keep you going longer than to be told you are dying?

What would you do?
Member No. 17 of the "100 free films in 2019" club. 50 seen so far
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2018 - 100 seen (9 premieres/Press) Also 2 Opera, 1 Netfix, 15 theatres, 2 concerts, 1 ballet)
2017 - 106 seen
2016 - 116 seen
2015 - 120 seen (16 premieres, 2 Gala Screenings). Also 3 theatres/shows, 2 concerts
2014 - 132 seen (26 premieres and 7 Gala Screenings). Also 18 misc. free events/concerts
2013 - 115 Seen (12 premieres). Also 6 theatres/shows, 5 concerts
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raj101
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Re: The Farewell

#5 Post by raj101 » Sun Sep 22, 2019 8:52 pm

I think the problem is that people arent prepped beforehand for what cancer is and their chances of having it. It shouldnt be just a YES you have it or NO. People should have it explained when younger.

cancer nurses tell older patients their chance of having tumours as being approximate to their age. If you are 80, you have an 80% of already having them.
The knowledge that the majority of us have some tumour growth over the age of 50 should be more widespread for sure.

I think if it was more widely acknowledged what cancer is, then people wouldnt treat it as so unacceptable. the issue is removing the taboo from the fear of it.

PS what does "Ba!" mean?
fav 5 films of the year - Tenet, Bill n Ted 3, Invisible Man, JoJo Rabbit, ?

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prettyxcool
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Re: The Farewell

#6 Post by prettyxcool » Sun Sep 22, 2019 10:14 pm

raj101 wrote:
Sun Sep 22, 2019 8:52 pm
PS what does "Ba!" mean?
In what context raj101?
Member No. 17 of the "100 free films in 2019" club. 50 seen so far
My Movie Scores click here

2018 - 100 seen (9 premieres/Press) Also 2 Opera, 1 Netfix, 15 theatres, 2 concerts, 1 ballet)
2017 - 106 seen
2016 - 116 seen
2015 - 120 seen (16 premieres, 2 Gala Screenings). Also 3 theatres/shows, 2 concerts
2014 - 132 seen (26 premieres and 7 Gala Screenings). Also 18 misc. free events/concerts
2013 - 115 Seen (12 premieres). Also 6 theatres/shows, 5 concerts
2012 - 118 seen (23 premieres). Also 12 theatres/shows.
2011 - 133 seen
2010 - 105 seen


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raj101
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Re: The Farewell

#7 Post by raj101 » Mon Sep 23, 2019 9:13 am

prettyxcool wrote:
Sun Sep 22, 2019 10:14 pm
raj101 wrote:
Sun Sep 22, 2019 8:52 pm
PS what does "Ba!" mean?
In what context raj101?
the movie where she shouts it
fav 5 films of the year - Tenet, Bill n Ted 3, Invisible Man, JoJo Rabbit, ?

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