The Farewell

The film opens with Billi living in New York City with her parents. They maintain a close relationship with her grandmother, Nai Nai, who resides in China. Regular phone conversations showcase the warmth of their family ties.

While chatting with Billi, Nai Nai reveals that she is in the hospital undergoing tests but reassures her that there is nothing serious, only 'benign shadows'. This sets the stage for the family's later struggles with honesty regarding her health.

Billi receives disappointing news about her application for a Guggenheim fellowship being rejected. She decides to keep this information a secret from her family, particularly from Nai Nai, to avoid adding more stress to her grandmother's life.

During a tense family conversation, Billi's father reveals that Nai Nai has been diagnosed with stage four lung cancer. The family is planning a wedding as a ruse to gather and see her one last time, emphasizing the family's intention to shield Nai Nai from her diagnosis.

Against her parents' wishes, Billi decides to travel to China for the family wedding, hoping to support her grandmother. Her surprise visit brings an unexpected joy to Nai Nai, who is glad to see her beloved granddaughter.

As the family embarks on preparations for the wedding, they engage in discussions that highlight the differences between American and Chinese cultures. Nai Nai emphasizes the importance of not criticizing China, fostering a sense of cultural pride.

During a family gathering filled with heavy drinking, Nai Nai has a troubling coughing fit. Billi becomes increasingly concerned and approaches her doctor, who insists on keeping Nai Nai unaware of her true condition.

Billi expresses her frustration to her father and uncle about the family's decision to keep Nai Nai in the dark regarding her illness. The conversation sheds light on the cultural differences around life and death, highlighting the emotional burden Billi feels.

As the wedding day approaches, Nai Nai asks Billi to be gracious and engage positively with guests. This is a reflection of familial expectations, contrasting Billi's internal struggle with the need to maintain the facade around Nai Nai's health.

During the wedding festivities, Billi delivers an impromptu karaoke performance to 'Killing Me Softly', bringing joy to the gathering. This moment lightens the atmosphere, despite the underlying tension of Nai Nai's health situation.

Billi and Little Nai Nai work together to falsify Nai Nai's test results, declaring them to be benign. This act underscores the lengths to which the family will go to protect Nai Nai's feelings, despite the moral implications of lying.

When Nai Nai finally learns about her modified test results, she expresses relief and disbelief, insisting that everyone worried needlessly. This moment captures her resilience and the family's covert efforts to keep her spirits high.

Before departing, Nai Nai gives Billi an envelope filled with money, reassuring her that it is deserved regardless of her marital status. This moment solidifies the bond between them, containing layers of love, care, and cultural expectation.

After saying goodbye to her family, Billi returns to New York where she faces uncertainty about her future. The dissonance between her experiences in China and her life in America prompts her to reflect deeply on her identity.

As Billi wanders the streets of New York, she suddenly replicates a gesture reminiscent of Nai Nai, symbolizing the lasting connection between them. The film concludes with a heartfelt montage of the real Nai Nai, showcasing her vitality and happiness.