Farewell Film Cultural Ethics Analysis

The Farewell (2019) examines the clash between Western and Eastern ideologies and ethics centering on a family’s decision to hide from their grandmother her diagnosis of terminal illness. In China, where the film is set, it is customary for the collective to bear the burden, and that is the main idea here in the film. However, one of the main characters grows up in the West and finds this secrecy unethical as it violates the individual’s right to know, as she sees it. Throughout the course of the film, she comes to understand the Eastern ethics better, and the end of the film actually gives one the sense that by hiding the illness from the patient, the patient never actually knows she is sick and so lives her life as though she is fine—and actually just keeps on living (for another six years and counting!) to everyone’s surprise. Thus, this film gives a Western audience a look into ethical issues embedded in Chinese culture. At the same time, it also incorporates elements of Western beliefs, largely due to the protagonist\\\\\\\'s upbringing in America. This blend of cultural perspectives gives a good context for the ethical dilemmas presented in the movie.

At the heart of the film is the controversial ethical issue that revolves around a Chinese family facing the impending loss of their grandmother (so they believe, at least). Upon discovering that she only has a short time left to live, they make a decision that is emblematic of some Eastern cultural practices, which is that the family chooses not to inform the grandmother of her terminal diagnosis. Instead, they orchestrate a family gathering, under the pretense of a fake wedding, to covertly bid her farewell. This scenario reflects a common belief in some Eastern cultures where withholding distressing information from terminally ill family members is seen as an act of compassion, intended to shield them from emotional turmoil (Wijdicks, 2020).

The film shows the biases influencing these decisions, particularly the cultural belief that protecting a loved one from harsh truths about their health is both a kind and respectful act. This approach starkly contrasts with the more individualistic Western perspective, which often prioritizes personal autonomy and the right of an individual to be informed about their medical condition. The protagonist, who has been raised in the United States, initially finds herself at odds with this traditional Eastern bias. Over time, however, she begins to understand and even appreciate the intentions of her family, providing a good view of how cultural upbringing can influence one\\\\\\\'s perception of ethical actions.

Central to the narrative is the portrayal of cultural morals and values that are based on Confucian principles. The decisions made by the characters in the film are guided by these values: we see examples of familial piety (as everyone comes to say their tearful goodbyes to the grandmother), respect for elders, and the importance of maintaining harmony within the family unit (it has to be a collective with everyone promising to keep the secret). This cultural ethos is seen very much in the female characters, who seem to suffer the most (Yu, 2022). Their decision, initially seen negatively from the Western-raised protagonist, comes to be valued as the right one because it is sensitive and protecting of the individual person. It represents self-less collective action for the good of the person.