Joan Chen’s latest film, “Dìdi”, is a heartfelt exploration of identity, family, and the delicate balance between cultural heritage and the teenage struggle to fit in. In the film, Chen portrays Chungsing, the mother of the titular character Chris Wang (played by Izaac Wang), affectionately called “Di Di”—meaning “little brother” in Chinese—by his family. Written and directed by first-time filmmaker Sean Wang, “Dìdi” is a deeply personal project that draws from Wang’s childhood as an Asian American in Fremont, California. The film premiered to acclaim at the Sundance Film Festival, where it received the Audience Award, resonating deeply with festival goers.

Chen brings depth and nuance to Chungsing, elevating the role with a graceful and authentic performance informed by her own experiences as a Chinese actress and mother. Her performance has generated long overdue Oscar buzz ever since the film debuted at Sundance.

Chen first rose to international prominence with her breakthrough role in Bernardo Bertolucci’s 1987 film “The Last Emperor”, a film that won nine Oscars. Despite its success, Chen’s performance went unrecognized by the Academy, reflecting the limited award recognition actors of color often faced until recent years. In the following decades, Hollywood frequently approached Chen with stereotypical “dragon lady” roles, prompting her to shift her focus to projects in China and other parts of Asia.

More recently, with the expansion of roles for Asian actors in Hollywood, Chen has been drawn back to projects like “Dìdi.” In “Dìdi,” Chen’s character mirrors her own experiences as an immigrant mother, facing both personal and cultural expectations. “My parents never thought acting could be a serious career… they were glad I did it, but somehow thought I’d grow out of it and find a ‘real’ profession,” she shares.

This tension between personal passion and familial obligation reflects her character’s struggles in “Dìdi,” as Chungsing juggles raising her children, Chris and his older sister Vivian (played by Shirley Chang), and caring for her absent husband’s mother, Nai Nai (played by Sean Wang’s grandmother Chang Li Hua), all while setting aside her own dreams of becoming a recognized artist.

The recent rise in roles for Asian actors has created opportunities for both newcomers and seasoned veterans like Chen, allowing her to reintroduce herself to a broader audience. In her interview with Awards Focus, Chen reflects on her journey and emphasizes the importance of stories like “Dìdi” in today’s landscape.

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