Un tredicenne taiwanese americano scopre il pattinaggio, il flirt e la vera essenza dell'amore materno al di là degli insegnamenti della sua famiglia.Un tredicenne taiwanese americano scopre il pattinaggio, il flirt e la vera essenza dell'amore materno al di là degli insegnamenti della sua famiglia.Un tredicenne taiwanese americano scopre il pattinaggio, il flirt e la vera essenza dell'amore materno al di là degli insegnamenti della sua famiglia.
- Regia
- Sceneggiatura
- Star
- Premi
- 21 vittorie e 38 candidature totali
Sunil Mukherjee Maurillo
- Cory
- (as Sunil Maurillo)
Georgie August
- Georgia
- (as Dalila George August)
Recensioni in evidenza
Watched this at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival.
Sean Wang perfectly captures the drama, cringe comedy of teenage life, and the Asian American culture with tender sweet performances, good camerawork, and fun characters to explore. Wang's direction on the humor aspects, character personalities and writing felt genuine to the setting and many of the themes on culture, friendship, growing up, and reality is well-handled with the maturity of the direction and writing.
There are uses of 2000's internet culture and media that felt strong and interesting and it is clear that Wang understands how internet culture works and how children are able to act. Because many of the child performances are good and Issac Wang is the star stealer of the entire movie, alongside with Joan Chen.
As someone who is Asian American, many of the themes, culture approaches and the characters were emotionally interesting and it felt purposeful and touching. I personally connected with the characters and what Wang was trying to tell. The humor is good as well.
Some small gripes are that I felt some of the lightening could be better in certain nighttime settings and some of the dialogue could be improved. Overall, this could have turned into a cheesy and annoying movie but with Wang's direction and writing, it becomes a thought-provoking yet tender sweet coming of age movie.
Sean Wang perfectly captures the drama, cringe comedy of teenage life, and the Asian American culture with tender sweet performances, good camerawork, and fun characters to explore. Wang's direction on the humor aspects, character personalities and writing felt genuine to the setting and many of the themes on culture, friendship, growing up, and reality is well-handled with the maturity of the direction and writing.
There are uses of 2000's internet culture and media that felt strong and interesting and it is clear that Wang understands how internet culture works and how children are able to act. Because many of the child performances are good and Issac Wang is the star stealer of the entire movie, alongside with Joan Chen.
As someone who is Asian American, many of the themes, culture approaches and the characters were emotionally interesting and it felt purposeful and touching. I personally connected with the characters and what Wang was trying to tell. The humor is good as well.
Some small gripes are that I felt some of the lightening could be better in certain nighttime settings and some of the dialogue could be improved. Overall, this could have turned into a cheesy and annoying movie but with Wang's direction and writing, it becomes a thought-provoking yet tender sweet coming of age movie.
The movie "Dìdi" is a coming-of-age story about Chris Wang, a 13-year-old Taiwanese American boy grappling with his identity and the challenge of fitting in while growing up in California in 2008. Writer and director Sean Wang captures on screen the cultural shock experienced by all children of immigrants during their adolescent years.
As someone who has been labeled a "banana" (yellow on the outside but white on the inside), I see a lot of familiarities that Didi faces when entering home and being bombarded with her family's Asian culture and when leaving home and trying to integrate with American culture. The movie feels much more authentic thanks to Izaac Wang's outstanding performance as Didi. He perfectly embodies the struggles of a young man caught between two cultures, striving to find his place and satisfy both.
As someone who has been labeled a "banana" (yellow on the outside but white on the inside), I see a lot of familiarities that Didi faces when entering home and being bombarded with her family's Asian culture and when leaving home and trying to integrate with American culture. The movie feels much more authentic thanks to Izaac Wang's outstanding performance as Didi. He perfectly embodies the struggles of a young man caught between two cultures, striving to find his place and satisfy both.
Didi nails the essence of the teenage experience, capturing that awkward, in-between phase where we desperately want to fit in but have no idea who we really are. The film beautifully portrays how, during this time, we constantly guess what others expect from us, often making decisions out of fear rather than true choice.
Identity and Fitting In
One of the most memorable moments is when Chris tries to fit in with a group of older kids by asking for a cigarette, even though it's clear he's never smoked before. This scene speaks volumes about teenage insecurity. Chris assumes smoking is what's expected, so he jumps at the chance, only to be surprised when one of the older boys casually declines, saying he doesn't smoke. It's a subtle but powerful example of how, at that age, we're so afraid of being judged that we forget we actually have the freedom to choose.
The Parent-Teen Dynamic
The film also does an excellent job of exploring the relationship between Chris and his mother. At that age, we often push our parents away, trying to create distance to avoid embarrassment. Chris does this constantly, making excuses and trying to seem "cool" in front of his peers. What's funny and relatable is that the older kids don't care at all. In fact, they're more interested in having a genuine conversation with his mom. This contrast highlights how, as we grow older, we realize that the things we were once ashamed of like our parents' presence don't matter as much. The film cleverly uses these interactions to remind us how much we create unnecessary barriers in our youth.
Hiding Your True Self
Another standout moment is when Chris takes down his posters, an act that symbolizes the struggle of hiding your true self. At this age, we often hide our interests and passions because we're afraid they won't be "cool" or accepted. Dìdi touches on this theme in a meaningful way, showing how our fear of standing out can lead us to conceal the very things that make us unique. The film's message is clear: the things we're passionate about are what define us, and embracing them is what helps us grow into our true selves.
The Comparison Trap
Lastly, the film captures the emotional weight of comparison during adolescence. Chris is overwhelmed by feelings of inadequacy he has fewer friends, he doesn't have a girlfriend, and his family isn't like others. These are common struggles that many of us faced growing up. The film conveys how, at that age, everything feels like too much to handle, but as time passes, we begin to find ourselves and accept who we are. The director uses Chris's journey to show that while these feelings are intense, they are also temporary.
Final Thoughts
We've all been there overthinking every little decision, scared to make the wrong move, and hiding parts of ourselves to fit in. Dìdi captures that experience with humor, heart, and a refreshing dose of reality. It's a beautiful reminder that the awkwardness of growing up is what ultimately helps us discover who we truly are.
Identity and Fitting In
One of the most memorable moments is when Chris tries to fit in with a group of older kids by asking for a cigarette, even though it's clear he's never smoked before. This scene speaks volumes about teenage insecurity. Chris assumes smoking is what's expected, so he jumps at the chance, only to be surprised when one of the older boys casually declines, saying he doesn't smoke. It's a subtle but powerful example of how, at that age, we're so afraid of being judged that we forget we actually have the freedom to choose.
The Parent-Teen Dynamic
The film also does an excellent job of exploring the relationship between Chris and his mother. At that age, we often push our parents away, trying to create distance to avoid embarrassment. Chris does this constantly, making excuses and trying to seem "cool" in front of his peers. What's funny and relatable is that the older kids don't care at all. In fact, they're more interested in having a genuine conversation with his mom. This contrast highlights how, as we grow older, we realize that the things we were once ashamed of like our parents' presence don't matter as much. The film cleverly uses these interactions to remind us how much we create unnecessary barriers in our youth.
Hiding Your True Self
Another standout moment is when Chris takes down his posters, an act that symbolizes the struggle of hiding your true self. At this age, we often hide our interests and passions because we're afraid they won't be "cool" or accepted. Dìdi touches on this theme in a meaningful way, showing how our fear of standing out can lead us to conceal the very things that make us unique. The film's message is clear: the things we're passionate about are what define us, and embracing them is what helps us grow into our true selves.
The Comparison Trap
Lastly, the film captures the emotional weight of comparison during adolescence. Chris is overwhelmed by feelings of inadequacy he has fewer friends, he doesn't have a girlfriend, and his family isn't like others. These are common struggles that many of us faced growing up. The film conveys how, at that age, everything feels like too much to handle, but as time passes, we begin to find ourselves and accept who we are. The director uses Chris's journey to show that while these feelings are intense, they are also temporary.
Final Thoughts
We've all been there overthinking every little decision, scared to make the wrong move, and hiding parts of ourselves to fit in. Dìdi captures that experience with humor, heart, and a refreshing dose of reality. It's a beautiful reminder that the awkwardness of growing up is what ultimately helps us discover who we truly are.
This was a pleasant surprise. "Dídi" is a wonderful little indie film that more than delivers on the potential of its coming of age premise, and breaks new ground for the genre by finding unique ways to develop its characters.
The film offers an honest and touching look inside the life of a young Taiwanese-American teen as he navigates the awkward turbulences and heartbreaks of adolescence. As the film progresses, Chris, the young central character, ventures to discover himself and find his place in the world. We watch as he grows up and is forced to learn many of life's universal lessons, all while charting his own unique course through youth.
It's a familiar premise, but Sean Wang does something new and special with it, straying from the formula and imbuing the whole thing with subtle touches of realism, many of which I've never seen captured quite the same way in film before (HBO's Euphoria has a few moments which are comparable, but they're far more sensationalized than anything here). I really appreciated these novelties, as well as the film's frequently experimental approach/style, as they helped make things feel consistently fresh and new. Also, the fact that the timeline of Chris' childhood happens to line up almost exactly with my own made the whole thing especially enjoyable. They captured growing up in the 2000s perfectly.
I could definitely see this becoming a breakout hit, and to be honest, it may be the best film I've seen at a Sundance premiere (admittedly a limited selection, but I am from Utah, so I try to make it to the festival every few years). In any event, I'm looking forward to watching this again once it gets a wide release to see how it holds up on second viewing.
The film offers an honest and touching look inside the life of a young Taiwanese-American teen as he navigates the awkward turbulences and heartbreaks of adolescence. As the film progresses, Chris, the young central character, ventures to discover himself and find his place in the world. We watch as he grows up and is forced to learn many of life's universal lessons, all while charting his own unique course through youth.
It's a familiar premise, but Sean Wang does something new and special with it, straying from the formula and imbuing the whole thing with subtle touches of realism, many of which I've never seen captured quite the same way in film before (HBO's Euphoria has a few moments which are comparable, but they're far more sensationalized than anything here). I really appreciated these novelties, as well as the film's frequently experimental approach/style, as they helped make things feel consistently fresh and new. Also, the fact that the timeline of Chris' childhood happens to line up almost exactly with my own made the whole thing especially enjoyable. They captured growing up in the 2000s perfectly.
I could definitely see this becoming a breakout hit, and to be honest, it may be the best film I've seen at a Sundance premiere (admittedly a limited selection, but I am from Utah, so I try to make it to the festival every few years). In any event, I'm looking forward to watching this again once it gets a wide release to see how it holds up on second viewing.
I am not Asian. I did not grow up in the 2000s. And yet, I absolutely related to this film and its protagonist. Because we've all navigated that awkward in between stage. Friendships change and feelings get hurt and moments feel way bigger than they actually are. Sean Wang managed to tell a story that evokes a particular moment and is timeless all at once. It helps that his actors (especially Izaac Wang and Joan Chen) feel familiar and real. Throughout this story I could feel the cringes and the hugs...and I could hear the inner monologues too. I have no desire to go back to being a freshman in high school, but if I did? It would look and feel a lot like this.
Lo sapevi?
- QuizZhang Li Hua, the actress who plays grandma Nai Nai, is director Sean Wang's real-life grandmother. She had previously co-starred in Wang's Academy Award-nominated documentary short Nai Nai & Wài Pó (2023).
- BlooperOne of the Paramore posters in Vivian's room features a logo with three slashes for the E in "Paramore", which the band didn't start using until 2013. The film takes place in 2008.
- Citazioni
Vivian Wang: [Bursts into Chris' room, grabs him by the neck] If you ever pee in my bottle of lotion again, I'm gonna period in your mouth when you're asleep.
Chris Wang: [Yells] Mom!
- ConnessioniFeatured in Horrible Reviews: Best Movies I've Seen In 2024 (2025)
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Dettagli
- Data di uscita
- Paese di origine
- Sito ufficiale
- Lingue
- Celebre anche come
- Didi
- Luoghi delle riprese
- Aziende produttrici
- Vedi altri crediti dell’azienda su IMDbPro
Botteghino
- Lordo Stati Uniti e Canada
- 4.839.360 USD
- Fine settimana di apertura Stati Uniti e Canada
- 207.307 USD
- 28 lug 2024
- Lordo in tutto il mondo
- 5.244.935 USD
- Tempo di esecuzione
- 1h 33min(93 min)
- Colore
- Mix di suoni
- Proporzioni
- 1.85 : 1
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