Zhao Shuzhen is an award-winning Chinese film, stage, and television actress. She was born in Harbin, Heilongjiang, China in 1944. Over the course of her career, she has appeared in more than one hundred plays for the Harbin Grand Theater. In 2019, she took the role of Nai Nai in the drama-comedy film, “The Farewell” (2019), a role which won her numerous awards, including the 35th Independent Spirit Award for Best Supporting Actress.

Zhao Shuzhen

Born in China, Billi’s (Awkwafina) parents decided to move to the States when she was still very young. Despite the distance, Billi has managed to keep a close relationship with her grandmother, Nai Nai (Zhao Shuzhen), who lives in Changchun. Now an aspiring writer, Billi had hoped to share with Nai Nai the news that she had just won the Guggenheim Fellowship. Unfortunately, that’s not the way things turned out. Not long after receiving that painful rejection letter, Billi’s parents inform her that her grandmother has recently been diagnosed with terminal lung cancer and only has a few months left to live.

Determined to keep this devastating news from Nai Nai, no matter the cost, the entire family employs all manner of deception and manipulation. Desperate to keep Nai Nai clueless and happy, the family decides to plan a wedding for one of Billi’s cousins; giving them just the sort of excuse they need to spend these last few months with Nai Nai without raising suspicion. Afraid Billi won’t be able to keep their secret, her parents beg her to stay home but Billi absolutely refuses.&nbsp;

Now back in China, Billi uses the time to reacquaint herself with her home and her family. Spending precious time with Nai Nai, Billi finds the strength she needs to live, love, and let go.

Based on a true story, “The Farewell” is a a 2019 comedy drama film written and directed by Lulu Wang.

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