Official Review of The Farewell by an Asian American actress Sadie 1/2

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So last week I watched The Farewell starring Awkwafina and other buddy Asian actors. Now, as an Asian and American actress, I do have my two cents to say about this trending film. Short summary is: I liked it! My American (white) friend who went with me really loved it. And I understood where that came from as well.

First, I was born in Taiwan and raised in the US. I totally dig the family dynamics in the movie - because my family is very very similar and I can say that the movie really portrayed the concept of the Chinese family very well. Chinese families are huge, with different members who think different thoughts. But on the surface, we want to keep it looking peaceful. "he" or the word "peace" is a central concept for the Confuscius thinking Chinese people and the Chinese family. We try our best to maintain peace on the surface and most decisions are made so to maintain the peaceful surface.

But underneath, it is definitely chaos. Especially in the film, there are family members coming from all over the place such as US, Japan...etc. Each member holds a different view on life and the meaning of "family". The discussions and fights all happen in private spaces, away from the center of the family - the grandma. Even though they all try to hide the truth that grandma has cancer from grandma herself, I feel like this grandma already knew because can they be more obvious by acting so weird! Hijacking her medical exam report? A fifty year old son crying like a baby at a wedding? Yea even I would have guessed it, not to mention a wise old Chinese grandma. However, grandma still pretends to play along with them. Just to be considerate and retain the "peace". This is my objective opinion though. The film never revealed if she ever "knew" about her illness.

I love how the film looks at death. It is sad and also humorous. I have learned in my acting class that humor and sadness are basically side by side, separated only by a thin sheet of paper. In this film, many moments definitely make me teary at one point, but then my tears never has a chance to fall down because I have to laugh at the play of humor which closely follows the sad moment.

(more to follow...)

Hair Modeling into a Bob cut

3/11/2019
Today was a record-breaking busy day. I had multiple offers for work and I had to turn down some.

At 11 I went to a hair salon in Studio City, and got my hair cut by a professional stylist. Basically by being a hair model. And I am getting paid for it. So I did it.
It was cut to up to my shoulder and was a bit short, but I pleaded that it could be in a ponytail so it was long enough to be tied up.
The stylist was not too nice but it was ok. And they had refreshments. I loved that! A professional photographer took a photo of me, which turned out really nice!

Someone said I look old.
Whatever. I got paid well.

After that, I drove to somewhere near Culver City and almost to the beach. For another audition which makes you think on your feet and do an improv scene on the spot. It was great and really fun. Afterwards they led us away to sign some papers, which made me assume I got a role? But then until today, 2 months later, I still did not receive anything so I guess it is not for me :(

Drove away to the dreaded DTLA. The traffic is so busy and crazy. And there is no free parking!! Any parking costs at least $10! I am not paying that for an hour of audition! Then I was lucky to find a spot on the street with coin machine. It ended up costing like 4 dollars to park an hour. Expensive...
The audition was at a random old building. I might hesitate to go in if it was at night. But this is the bright afternoon so it was ok.

It was for a commercial calling for Japanese women. I am not but I submitted anyway and they asked me anyway. I see on the sign in list, the names were all Japanese except for me..

On the 3rd floor of this old building, I finally found the suspicious looking room. I opened the door, 3 teenager looking kids are inside, swiping away on their phones. I was barely greeted, and was told to stand on the bright side of the room. A kid took photos of me, front and side. And they said that's all. Um are you sure?
Yeah.
They told me to wait outside the door for 5 minutes, and if they didn't call me, I could leave.

That was the randomest audition so far.

So I drove home then, having been so tired out from the day. Ended this busy day.