Nǎi Nai & Wài Pó

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Nǎi Nai & Wài Pó
Directed bySean Wang
Produced by
  • Malcolm Pullinger
  • Sam Davis
CinematographySam Davis
Edited bySean Wang
Music byGiosuè Greco
Production
companies
  • Even/Odd
  • Junk Drawer
Distributed by
Release dates
  • March 11, 2023 (2023-03-11) (SXSW)
  • February 9, 2024 (2024-02-09) (United States)
Running time
17 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageMandarin

Nǎi Nai & Wài Pó (Chinese: 奶奶跟外婆; pinyin: Nǎinai gēn Wàipó; also known as Grandma & Grandma) is a 2023 documentary short directed by Sean Wang about his Taiwanese immigrant paternal and maternal grandmothers.[1] It was acquired by Disney Entertainment for distribution and premiered on Disney+ and Hulu on February 9, 2024.[2] The film was nominated for Best Documentary Short Film at the 96th Academy Awards.[3]

Premise[edit]

The film features Wang's elderly grandmothers as he films them going about their daily lives. Yi Yan Fuei, Wang's paternal grandmother (nǎi nai), is 94 years old, while Chang Li Hua, his maternal grandmother (wài pó), is 83. They are both Taiwanese immigrants who live together in their home in Fremont, California, sleeping in the same bed and spending their day together.

Production[edit]

The short was filmed in 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic, as Wang had returned home from New York City. Wang was inspired to create the film when he spent more time with his grandmothers and realized "they’re the most pure form of joy in my life."[4] Moreover, Wang calls this film a "personal love letter" to his grandmothers.[5] At the time of filming, anti-Asian racism and hate crimes were becoming more prominent in the United States as a result of the pandemic. Wang also owed the juxtaposition of reading news of violence and spending time with his cheerful grandparents as inspiration for the film.[6] The film touches on themes of family, loneliness, and mortality as close friends pass.[7]

Release[edit]

The film premiered at South by Southwest on March 11, 2023, where it won both the Grand Jury and Audience Award for documentary shorts.[8] It was later screened at AFI Fest on October 27, 2023, winning the Grand Jury Prize.[9]

In November 2023, Disney Branded Television acquired the film for distribution. It was announced that the short would be the first of a revival of the People & Places series, which originally ran from 1953 to 1960 and featured short subject documentary films set in various locations around the world.[10] The film was released on both Disney+ and Hulu on February 9, 2024.[2]

Accolades[edit]

Award Date of ceremony Category Recipient(s) Result Ref.
Academy Awards March 10, 2024 Best Documentary Short Film Sean Wang, Sam Davis Nominated [3]
AFI Fest October 30, 2023 Grand Jury Prize – Documentary Short Won [9]
deadCENTER Film Festival June 11, 2023 Best Documentary Short Won [11]
SXSW Film Festival March 13, 2023 Grand Jury Award – Documentary Short Won [8]
Audience Award – Documentary Short Won

References[edit]

  1. ^ Schwartz, Missy (January 24, 2024). "Nai Nai & Wài Pó". TheWrap. Retrieved January 27, 2024.
  2. ^ a b Morfoot, Addie (January 26, 2024). "Disney + Sets Release Date for Oscar Nominated Docu Short 'Nǎi Nai and Wài Pó' (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved January 27, 2024.
  3. ^ a b "2024 | Oscars.org | Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences". www.oscars.org. Retrieved January 26, 2024.
  4. ^ Liu, Jennifer (February 9, 2024). "This millennial directed his 94- and 83-year-old grandmothers for a movie—it's now nominated for an Oscar". CNBC. Retrieved February 22, 2024.
  5. ^ Liu, Jennifer (February 9, 2024). "This millennial directed his 94- and 83-year-old grandmothers for a movie—it's now nominated for an Oscar". CNBC. Retrieved March 6, 2024.
  6. ^ del Barco, Mandalit (February 21, 2024). "He moved in with his grandmas during COVID. His film about them is up for an Oscar". NPR. Retrieved February 22, 2024.
  7. ^ Davidson, Helen; Lin, Chi Hui (February 23, 2024). "The Taiwanese grandmothers who went from feeling 'old and useless' to an Oscar nomination". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved March 6, 2024.
  8. ^ a b Debruge, Peter (March 14, 2023). "'Raging Grace,' 'Angel Applicant' Top SXSW Film Festival Awards". Variety. Retrieved February 11, 2024.
  9. ^ a b "AFI FEST 2023 Announces Grand Jury Award Winners". American Film Institute. October 30, 2023. Retrieved February 11, 2024.
  10. ^ Wu, Valerie (November 10, 2023). "Disney Branded Television Acquires Award-Winning Documentary Short 'Nǎi Nai and Wài Pó' (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety.
  11. ^ "deadCenter Film Festival 2023 Winners". deadcenterfilm.org. Retrieved February 22, 2024.

External links[edit]

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