Sean Wang‘s auspicious, semi-autobiographical feature debut centers on a universally recognizable phase of adolescence — that moment we begin the lifelong process of self-determination.

Set in 2008 Fremont, this Sundance audience award winner follows 13-year-old Taiwanese American Chris (Izaac Wang) in the fleeting months prior to freshman year as he clumsily pursues his first crush, nurtures his passions for filming and skating, and experiments with the dawning intensity of online relationships via AIM chat and MySpace.

At home, Chris’s college-bound sister Vivian (Shirley Chen) and weary mother Chunsing (an illuminating Joan Chen) annoy him, while his acerbic grandma Nai Nai (Chang Li Hua, the director’s real-life grandmother) frets over his diet. All three women draw his ire as Chris stumbles through a series of hilarious coming-of-age situations. Nuanced and tender, Wang‘s film is a layered exploration of learning to love oneself against the Darwinian backdrop of teenage cliques, cultural conformity, and the maddening frustrations of growing up.

Opening Night Film + Party

Join us for our Opening Night Film + Party as we kick off the 67th San Francisco International Film Festival with Dìdi (弟弟) from SFFILM-supported filmmaker Sean Wang. Tickets to the 7 pm PT screening at the Premier Theater include admission to both the film and 9 pm Party at 308 Gallery. Tickets to the 8 pm PT screening at the Marina Theatre, which do not include admission to the Opening Night Party, are also available.