Directed by the first Chinese female director at Pixar Animation Studios, Domee Shi, the animated short Bao won the 91st Academy Award (Oscars) for Best Animated Short, bringing a distinctive Chinese story to the world stage.
The short explores the life of a Chinese immigrant mother living in Toronto, Canada, with her inattentive husband, and who is struggling to cope with loneliness after her beloved son flies the nest. Remarkably, the moms deep, empty-nester angst turns to joy when a cute, leftover dumpling, or bao in Chinese, comes to life in true Pinocchio fashion, Xinhua reported.
Besides “Bao,” this year’s Oscars saw more Chinese elements, including the first-ever Chinese animated short “One Small Step,” which was nominated for the Oscars.