The Farewell

Billi, a Chinese-American woman, learns that her beloved grandmother, Nai Nai, has been diagnosed with terminal lung cancer and only has a short time left to live. However, the family decides to keep the diagnosis a secret from Nai Nai, following a common Chinese practice to bear the emotional burden themselves. Instead, they concoct a fake wedding for Billi’s cousin as an excuse to gather the entire family in China one last time to spend with Nai Nai. Billi struggles with the ethics of the deception but flies to Changchun, China, to join her family and participate in the charade.

Amidst the orchestrated celebration, Billi experiences a clash of cultures, torn between her Chinese roots and her American upbringing. As she reconnects with her extended family, she gains deeper insights into their traditions, values, and the complex dynamics at play. Billi's internal conflict resonates as she wrestles with the morality of keeping such a profound secret from a loved one while trying to honor her family's wishes. Through poignant interactions and heartfelt moments with Nai Nai, Billi confronts themes of family, grief, and cultural identity while the emotional weight of impending loss looms over their joyful facade.