Dìdi

You can always tell when scenes about the Asian American experience are included specifically so the non-Asian American audience notices. Like when there's a lingering shot on guests' shoes as they walk through the house, or when there's a pause after a particularly harsh reprimand from an elder. For the Asian American audience, these moments aren't out of the ordinary-and sometimes we look puzzled when we hear other moviegoers laugh or cringe or exclaim a knowing "Oh no, the shoes." But for the non-Asian American audience, these moments are foreign, highlighting the differences between the people on screen and themselves. Even if the family lives in the suburbs and the children are second generation American who speak perfect English.

In that way, the experiences of Didi's protagonist, Chris ("Wang Wang" to his friends and "Didi" to his mother)-the microaggressions directed at him, his shortcomings when reacting to his mother and friends, and even the way he codeswitches his name-are presented to the non-Asian American audience as a way of highlighting the different struggles and paths toward growth in an Asian American's coming-of-age story.

Even though adolescent angst has so many universal elements across all American experiences of it, audiences can relate to the awkwardness and shame and uncertainty portrayed in movies like Boyhood and Eighth Grade-and particularly the desire to fit in at school, with friends, or among family-differently than in Didi. Because there's a uniqueness in the tension of Didi's titular character. It's not just about fitting in to a world that is unrecognizable, one without the freedom and infinite possibilities of childhood imaginings but instead burdened by the rigid structures of socially imposed order, an inherent hierarchy perpetuated by class and culture in inculcated in our youth by media consumption and unspoken mores. There's also a cultural tension in Didi, a desire not to be like your sister or the other Asian American kids, to shirk the stereotypes and be less Asian (and more white). Chris must navigate fitting into an external world that is both his and not his, that is extremely familiar and yet so separate from his world at home-as evidenced by the different names he uses with his mother versus his old friends versus his new friends

By setting the movie in the early 2000s, Didi asks the audience to remember our own fledgling teenage years. And in that reflection, the Asian American audience sees ourselves (thematically, if not specifically) on screen. And the non-Asian American audience is meant to notice the differences, but still relate to the awkwardness and the desire to make friends and lose your virginity and steal from your siblings and yell at your mom. By noticing these differences in a quintessentially American coming-of-age story, the foreign moments become familiar and their own uniquely experienced adolescence becomes a little more universal.

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.

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.

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.

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.