Chinese/Asian-themed Pixar short, Bao, is shortlisted for Oscar
- Bao, which was bundled with Incredibles 2 in cinemas, is about an old mother with empty nest syndrome
- It is the first Pixar short to be directed by a woman and Asia’s first Asian-themed nominee
Premiered as a short that was bundled with the main feature Incredibles 2 this summer, Bao, directed by Domee Shi, is Pixar’s first work with a Chinese/Asian theme to be shortlisted for the Oscars this week under the best animated short category.
According to the Motion Picture Association of America, Shi is also the first woman to direct a short for the animation studio.
Bao revolves around an ageing Chinese mother who suffers from “empty nest syndrome” who gets another chance at motherhood when one of her dumplings springs to life à la Pinocchio. But as cute dumpling boy quickly morphs into a angst-filled teenager and eventually a grown-up, the mother has to come to terms with the fact that her child will not stay cute – and by her side – forever.
