The Somatechnics of Transcultural Communication: Transcending Boundaries and Borders in <i>All in My Family</i> and <i>The Farewell</i>

Abstract In this paper, we stage a critical discussion between somatechnics and transcultural communication studies to push the latter field beyond existing paradigms illustrate usefulness of think through (embodied) transculturality. By means example, analyze Hao Wu’s short documentary All in My Family (2019) Lulu Wang’s feature film The Farewell lens argue that these films offer an important opportunity consider their protagonists’ contextually specific lived experiences relation both Western Chinese idea(l)s family, parenthood, sexuality. This is not suggest juxtapose global with local or West non-West our analysis as two separate, identifiable categories. Rather, following Natalie Oswin (2006), wish examine how films, contemporary popular forms communication, enable “the all complexity transnational, spaces they are” (2006, p. 788). Approached way, hope show under exemplify range somatechnologies; is, bodies, which process (un)becoming-with, materialize glocalized space where local, East mutually (in)form each other have become inextricable. words, demonstrates may provide novel way varied ways transculturality embodied bodied forth.