"Bao" Is the Female-Directed Disney Pixar Short Film That Will Leave You An Emotional Wreck

Bao is this decade's Up.

If you've had a chance to see Incredibles 2, then you might've noticed an endearing short just before it. It's called Bao and it's the first Disney Pixar short directed by a woman.

The short follows a Chinese-Canadian mother who experiences empty nest syndrome, a term used to describe the feeling mothers face when a child leaves their home for the first time.

After cooking some bao, she gets to experience motherhood again when one of her little dumplings comes to life.

But, perhaps the most noticeable aspect of the short film is its power to make your eyes really watery.

If you were emotionally wrecked by the first 10 minutes of UP, the new Pixar short BAO, by Domee Shi, will finish you. It is a masterpiece. pic.twitter.com/zYaEP0o5zQ

— Colin Trevorrow (@colintrevorrow) June 9, 2018

Idk when it happened but I just started crying and had to call my mom everyone watch Incredibles 2 so you can watch Bao it is wonderful. pic.twitter.com/jzQImfrE7c

— michelle (@myshellelaundry) June 15, 2018

If you're watching #Incredibles2 this weekend, get there in time to see the short film before it, #Bao! It's SO sweet 😭 one of my favorites! pic.twitter.com/esfWbhZedz

— Sandy (@_SandyWrites) June 14, 2018

The female director, Domee Shi, told Time Magazine that the story reflected her own experiences as a child.

"Growing up as an only child, I felt I was that overprotected, mothered little dumpling," Shi told Time. 

"I wanted to explore that relationship between this overprotective parent and this child using a Chinese dumpling as a metaphor."

Shi also mentioned that despite Pixar being previously a boys club, things are changing and Bao is just one sign of that.

"I feel like Bao coming out is a signal of change—that such a big studio has gotten behind such a culturally-specific short led predominantly by women," Shi explained.

"Recently there has been way more female hires at the studio. I'm optimistic."

You can see Bao and feel the onions in the air in cinemas now before watching Incredibles 2.

Photo: Disney Pixar