I've been thinking a lot about the line that is said by several characters in this film. "Will it leave a scar/Did it leave a scar?"
Initially it made me think of the superficiality of their concerns; how it will look.
But then we see the transitory nature of things. The fleeting friendships we make in youth, the emotions of others and yourself, the way we make a big deal about certain situations only to find that a new day…
Throughout the movie I wondered how different my experience watching this would have been had I read Chekhov's Uncle Vanya. I don't think it's necessary to have read the play but after watching this I'd like to read the play and rewatch this movie.
There was a moment in the movie when they reach Hokkaido, where it suddenly became silent. For a few seconds you see the ing winter landscape in silence. It's the kind of silence you hear when…
I've been connecting more with Joe Pera's work recently compared to when I first encountered his work a few years back. It's been a source of mental comfort for me these days and reminds me of when I used to read Stuart McLean's The Vinyl Cafe for some reason (maybe because both are cozy, warm, slow paced, kind, with some dry humor, and a reverence for the ordinary).
It took me a while to get into his character but so far it has helped me (a socially anxious person) stay grounded, less stressed, and has encouraged my interests in gardening and plants.
Wholesome content.
At this point I'm so tired and I don't want to see anymore representations of asian american experiences because it's just the same tropes and stereotypes over and over again with no nuance, no grace, and nothing interesting to say.
At the very least if you want to tell the same stories and tropes about the microaggressions and racism asian americans have experienced, at least do the main character some justice?
light spoilers below:
In Dìdi we don't really see…
