The Business
Revisiting director Lulu Wang on ‘The Farewell’
When filmmaker Lulu Wang set out to write and direct a personal movie based on a real-life family saga, she had a clear vision for an American film, largely set in China, mostly in Mandarin. But buyers weren’t biting.
By Kim Masters • • 28m ListenThis week, we’re revisiting our conversation with filmmaker Lulu Wang. When Wang set out to make a personal movie--largely set in China, mostly in Mandarin--she had a clear pitch, but buyers weren’t biting. She tells us about the circuitous route to making “The Farewell,” which went from public radio to Sundance success to indie hit of the summer to awards contender. Wang also explains the vagaries of filming in China and why she felt so strongly that her film had to play in theaters rather than finding a home on a streaming service. Plus, an all-new banter!
