shuchenzhao

As a Chinese woman, I found this film to be a profoundly uncomfortable experience-not because it was poorly made, but because it hit so close to home. Many of the scenarios depicted in the movie, to varying degrees, have occurred in my own family. The emotional weight of watching those moments unfold on screen was both unsettling and thought-provoking. While the film undeniably leans into certain stereotypes about Chinese families, I have to admit that these stereotypes are rooted in truth. They reflect dynamics and patterns that are deeply ingrained in our culture, making the portrayal feel painfully authentic.

What impressed me the most was the fact that the director is not Chinese but Spanish. For someone from an entirely different cultural background to capture the intricacies, the emotional undercurrents, and the often-unspoken tensions of a Chinese family so accurately is truly remarkable. It's not an easy task to represent another culture with such depth and sensitivity, and yet this film does it with surprising precision.

This made me reflect on how universal some of these family dynamics might be, even if they manifest differently in other cultures. At the same time, it was a stark reminder of how specific cultural traditions and expectations can shape the lives of individuals within a family. Watching this movie felt like holding up a mirror to my own experiences, and while it was uncomfortable, it was also a powerful and moving experience. This film is a testament to the power of cinema to transcend cultural barriers and touch something profoundly human.