Meet ‘Nǎi Nai and Wài Pó’: A Heartwarming Tale of Laughter, Love, and Legacy
Nǎi Nai and Wài Pó serves as a heartfelt homage from Sean Wang, a first-generation Taiwanese-American director, to his beloved grandmothers. Behind the lens, Wang showcases the vibrant lives of his grandmas, affectionately known as “Nǎi Nai” and “Wài Pó,” who, despite being inseparable best friends and roommates in their golden years, approach life with humor and resilience.
The documentary captures their daily antics, from joyful dance sessions to unexpected moments of laughter and, yes, even the occasional flatulence, offering a candid glimpse into the realities of aging. Yet amidst the laughter, the film delves deeper, inviting viewers on a poignant journey that reflects on the intertwined experiences of joy and pain. Through the tender bond shared between grandmas and grandson, Nǎi Nai and Wài Pó serves as a gentle reminder that growing older doesn’t have to dim the light of our spirits.
This film signals the debut of Disney+’s revitalized “People & Places” series, a revival of Walt Disney’s acclaimed documentary short film collection from the 1950s and 1960s. This curated anthology will showcase a diverse blend of emerging and renowned filmmakers, each sharing compelling real-life tales of remarkable individuals and captivating locales worldwide that embody the timeless spirit of Disney.
Following its successful world premiere at SXSW, where it clinched both the Grand Jury Prize and Audience Award, Nǎi Nai and Wài Pó garnered further recognition by landing on the IDA shortlist. It continued its winning streak by securing Grand Jury Awards at prestigious events such as AFI Fest and SIFF 2023 while also earning the Audience Award at The Wrap 2023 Shortlist Film Festival and Special Jury Recognition at LAAPFF 2023. Additionally, the film was featured in the Rooftop Films Summer Series, Palm Springs ShortsFest, CAAM Fest 2023, and Aesthetica Film Festival 2023. It has also earned an Academy Award® nomination for Outstanding Documentary Short Film.
Nǎi Nai and Wài Pó is helmed by Sean Wang and features dialogue in both Mandarin and English. Wang serves as executive producer alongside Sam Davis (‘Period. End of Sentence.’), Emmy-nominated Malcolm Pullinger and Joanna Natasegara (‘White Helmets’). This year is off to a good start for Wang. His feature film DìDi received the Audience Award in the U.S. Dramatic Competition at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival.
Wang was also chosen to participate in the Project Advancement and Completion Fund, a joint effort between the Sundance Institute and The Walt Disney Company. This program offers assistance and resources to nine directors, aiding them in the progression of their projects.
When asked what Wang admires most about his grandmothers, he said, “Their dance moves are worthy of admiration. Their youthfulness. There’s a line in the movie that Năi Nai says that: “the days that we spent feeling joy and the days that we spent feeling pain are the same days, so I”m going to choose joy” – that line has really stuck with me over the last year or so.”
The Academy Award-nominated documentary short film Nǎi Nai and Wài Pó is now streaming on Disney+.
