Fresh Air Best Of: Lucy Liu / Zadie Smith
Dec 20, 2025
Lucy Liu, renowned for her roles in 'Ally McBeal' and 'Kill Bill', discusses her poignant new film 'Rosemead', which tackles immigrant family struggles and mental illness. She emphasizes the importance of authentic representation in portraying a mother's love amidst adversity. Zadie Smith, celebrated for 'White Teeth', reflects on her essay collection 'Dead and Alive', exploring themes of aging and generational tension. Film critic Justin Chang highlights the best films of 2025, showcasing emerging talents and noteworthy international cinema.
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Stories Missing From Our Lexicon
- Lucy Liu says Rosemead fills a gap in representation for immigrant families facing cancer and mental illness.
- She wanted to humanize the mother-son relationship beyond sensational headlines.
Language Reveals Emotional Worlds
- Lucy Liu highlights language's role in revealing nuance, love, and vulnerability within the family.
- She contrasts fluent Mandarin at home with a fragile public self outside the community.
Stigma Blocks Mental Health Access
- Cultural stigma isolates families from mental health care in some immigrant communities.
- Lucy Liu points out alternatives like herbal remedies and superstition often replace therapy.