Simple, but sweet. Sometimes that’s all a film needs.
What it's about
After years of living in America, Nau Van returns home to Vietnam for the anniversary of his father’s death. The whole clan is excited to see him, though they’re unsure what to make of his VIetnamese-American friend, Ian.
The take
In another country, you can forge a completely different life from the one you had in your hometown. For closeted LGBTQ+ individuals, moving to a more tolerant society allows you to explore facets of your sexuality that wasn’t possible previously. In Goodbye Mother, first generation immigrant Nau Van is confronted with the secrets he hid from his hometown, the secret that isn’t a secret in America. The conflict plays out in a familiar fashion, going through plenty of the usual experiences that coming out entails, but, while these are familiar, Goodbye Mother tugs at the reality Asian immigrants experience, and does so in a sweet and empathetic way.
What stands out
The grandma! So supportive and surprisingly spry for her age.