Regardless of one’s age, everyone has experienced stress and insecurity during their teen years. Though some of us had it more difficult than others, most people remember making bad decisions, saying the wrong things, or taking family for granted during our younger years. Filmmaker Sean Wang gives us a personal glimpse into his personal experience as an awkward and unsure 13-year-old Asian American trying to find his place in the world.
Izaac Wang stars as Chris “Didi” Wang. The film follows the protagonist as he navigates his way through the summer before he is about to begin high school. Known to his friends as “Wang Wang,” Chris has a penchant for getting into trouble and embarrassing his family with his rebellious behavior and crazy videos that he posts on YouTube.
Because of his awkward personality, Chris tends to alienate himself from his friends and struggles with interpersonal relationships. Trying to find a place where he feels he belongs, Chris comes across a band of skaters whom he befriends and to whom he offers to record their skating stunts. Meanwhile, Wang Wang also attempts to pursue a romantic relationship with his crush.
While Didi shares similarities with other coming-of-age stories, it distinguishes itself with its deeply personal touch. Sean Wang, the writer/director, offers an intimate look into the life of an Asian-American teen struggling to find his identity. The combination of Wang’s writing, direction, and Izaac Wang’s acting creates a film that is not just compelling and relatable, but also emotionally powerful, leaving a lasting impact on the audience.
In addition to Izaac Wang, who is outstanding as Chris, this movie benefits from the phenomenal performance of Joan Chen, who portrays Didi’s beleaguered mother. Chen does an excellent job of revealing the stress and problems a mother faces when raising and loving her children when they make loving them so very challenging. Chen’s character not only must deal with the dilemmas created by her son, but she must also maintain a brave face among her judgmental Asian community, along with her meddling but well-meaning mother-in-law (Chang Li Hua).
Didi, a film that has garnered praise at the Sundance and SXSW Film Festivals, is now showing in theaters. Its insightful storytelling and the skillful direction of Sean Wang make it a movie I wholeheartedly recommend. With its compelling narrative and powerful performances, Didi is a film that will not disappoint.