Viewing Questions for The Farewell

Viewing Questions for The Farewell

Over 25 short-answer questions broken into two main viewing segments that guide students to understand and apply film vocab, make inferences about theme and symbolism, and explore cultural values and emotional subtext.

Scaffold Deep Discussion & Visual Analysis in One of the Most Emotionally Resonant Films of the Decade

What It Is:

This thoughtfully structured worksheet walks you through a complete viewing of The Farewell with scaffolded, reflective questions. Prompts emphasize not only character and plot but also cinematic technique, cultural context, and emotional nuance—helping you read the film as both a narrative and a visual text.

Perfect for:

  • ✍️ Film response journals or homework
  • 🎞️ In-class analysis as students watch
  • 💬 Small group discussion prep
  • 🎓 IB Paper 1 or AP Seminar-style practice

Skills Students Will Build:

  • Understanding and applying film vocabulary (e.g., framing, sound, editing, mise-en-scène)
  • Making inferences about theme and symbolism
  • Exploring cultural values and emotional subtext
  • Noting visual motifs like repetition, foreground/background, and doorways
  • Practicing comparative thinking and reflection

What’s Included:

  • Over 25 short-answer questions broken into two main viewing segments:
    • Part 1: From Nai Nai’s scan to the photoshoot
    • Part 2: From the hotel confrontation to Billi’s farewell
  • Margin notes to prompt attention to sound design, framing, cultural expectations, and the motif of “the lie”
  • Final reflection prompts about truth, emotion, and visual symbolism
  • Quote from director Lulu Wang to anchor interpretation and synthesis

Sample Questions:

“How does Wang use sound and framing to emphasize Billi’s emotions while waiting for her subway?”
“What patterns emerge when Billi talks one-on-one with her dad?”
“What is the emotional effect of framing Billi’s farewell against slow-motion shots and soft lighting?”

✨ Designed For:

  • Film analysis with a cultural studies lens
  • Cross-curricular units on family, ethics, or truth
  • ESL-friendly visual analysis (students can respond in writing or in discussion)
  • Honors/AP/IB students ready for rich interpretation beyond plot summary

Pair it with my Farewell shot-by-shot breakdown activity for even deeper visual analysis.

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