Disney/Pixar’s New ‘Bao’ Animated Short Will Change the Way You Feel About Dumplings

April 16, 2018

Disney/Pixar released a preview of its upcoming short film “Bao,” a deliciously adorable film about dumplings.

“Bao,” which plays before “Incredibles 2,” focuses on a Chinese-Canadian woman who lives in an empty nest and finds another chance at motherhood when one of her dumplings comes to life.

The new teaser, released on April 13, features a cute little dumpling being born, squeals and all.

“Bao” is directed by Pixar’s Domee Shi, making her the studio’s first female director of an animated short.

Shi, a Chinese-Canadian herself, is a veteran storyboard artist and an “eating enthusiast” who describes her new work as a “magical, modern-day fairy tale, kind of like a Chinese ‘Gingerbread Man’ story.”

“Often times it felt like my mom would treat me like a precious little dumpling, wanting to make sure I was safe, that I didn’t go out late, all that stuff,” she told Entertainment Weekly in March.

“The word ‘bao’ actually means two things in Chinese: Said one way, it means steamed bun. Said another, it means something precious. A treasure.”

Pixar said in a statement:

“This short film from Pixar Animation Studios and director Domee Shi explores the ups and downs of the parent-child relationship through the colorful, rich, and tasty lens of the Chinese immigrant community in Canada.”

Ningsha Zhong, Shi’s mother, is a “dumpling master” who served as the short’s “cultural consultant,” keeping its dumpling-making scenes in check for accuracy.

While “Bao” centers on a specific culture, its narrative is actually more universal.

“It felt like a really universally appealing story that a lot of people could identify with,” Shi told EW. “We got a ton of e-mails from people identifying with the mom character, or the dumpling character, saying, ‘Wait, that’s me,’ or ‘That’s my parents,’ or ‘I’m dealing with this right now.’”

Netizens commented on the teaser:

“Bao” plays in front of “Incredibles 2” on June 15.

Check out the teaser below:

Get a taste of #Bao, our upcoming short opening ahead of #Incredibles2 June 15. pic.twitter.com/Yw17N2pNZX

— Disney•Pixar (@DisneyPixar) April 12, 2018

Feature Image via Twitter / DisneyPixar

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