The Farewell

Island Senior Resources presents a free showing of this film about intergenerational relationships and family drama. Awkwafina stars as a Chinese-American woman (Billi) trying to navigate truth, health, and culture to do the right thing for her grandmother (Nai Nai) and the rest of the family. The family has gotten a terminal cancer diagnosis for Nai Nai, and so they fake a family wedding to get everyone together in China. Billi struggles with whether or not to keep up the charade or share the news with Nai Nai, as well as how to act around someone she knows doesn’t have long to live. In addition to the drama, it’s very definitely a comedy as well. It has a 97% Tomatometer and an 87% Popcornmeter on Rotten Tomatoes, and Awkwafina won the Golden Globe for Best Actress in a Motion Picture Comedy or Musical.

There will be a guided community discussion led by Licensed Social Workers from WhidbeyHealth Hospice after the film.

“The Farewell is a comedy of warmth and bracing honesty. Simply put, it’s one of the best films of the year.” -Clarisse Loughrey, Independent (UK)
“Ultimately, it’s all about balance, a yin and yang of roots and identities, humour and pathos that comes together into a satisfying, bittersweet wedding banquet of a movie.” -Wendy Ide, Observer (UK)
“A lovely, warm family picture featuring a star-making turn from Awkwafina.” -Tara Brady, Irish Times
“Awkwafina finds her footing as a first-time leading lady, excelling with her emotionally nuanced and vibrant performance in a story about familial love and the gray area one cultivates from straddling different homelands.” -Kristen Yoonsoo Kim, The Nation
“This smart film deftly mixes comedy and tragedy, and manages to be heartfelt without being cloying or sentimental.” -Adam Graham, Detroit News
“The Farewell is one of the best films of 2019. Heck, it might even be one of the best of the entire decade.” -Sarah Michelle Fetters, MovieFreak.com

The Farewell will show for free Saturday, March 21 at 1pm.