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The delicate relationship between three generations in a Chinese immigrant family was shattered by the sudden death of Grandpa. The first-generation immigrant mother believed that a traditional Chinese funeral and a conventional music band, featuring the Chinese ritual instrument Suona, would be the best way to honor her father.
During a secret vigil at the mortuary, she asked her son, a trumpet player, to play Suona at the funeral, but he did not understand her wishes, leading to a disagreement over whether to have a traditional ground burial or a sea burial, as per Grandpa’s last wishes. Unfortunately, they were caught and banned for trespassing.
Late at night, while listening to Grandpa’s playlist, the mother realized she did not understand her father in the same way her son did. The following day, she took her entire family to the beach for a sea burial and attempted to play Suona herself, but was unsuccessful. In the end, the son reconciled with his mother and performed a piece on his trumpet from Grandpa’s playlist. They scattered Grandpa’s ashes into the ocean, marking the end of an era and the beginning of a new chapter.
Directed by Yumo Zhang (USA)