In 2008, during the last month of summer before high school begins, an impressionable 13-year-old Taiwanese American boy learns what his family can’t teach him: how to skate, how to flirt, and how to love your mom. A semi-autobiographical love letter to teenage angst that’s also slyly self-critical, Dìdi is a deeply moving personal statement by writer-director Sean Wang. The film had its world premiere at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival on January 19, 2024, where it won the Audience Award: U.S. Dramatic and U.S. Dramatic Special Jury Award: Ensemble. 95%/92% critics and audience consensus on RT. (R, 1h 34m)
“Dìdi sets itself apart by examining more than just the turbulence of growing pains; it’s also a period piece that understands the flattening effect the internet has on teenagers in particular.” – Shirley Li, The Atlantic
“A funny, heartfelt movie, tapping into the audience’s latent memories as well as our great relief at no longer being 13.” – Alissa Wilkinson, New York Times
“Wang reveals exceptional talent both as a director and screenwriter and has given us one of the most nuanced coming-of-age films in years.” – Randy Myers, San Jose Mercury News