Turning Red Deleted Scene #1 – With Text
Dubbed “Intro Meilin,” the cut scene reveals a heartfelt moment between Mei and Ming where they attempt to take a professional staged photograph at a store. According to Shi, the scene was intended to familiarize the audience with the familial dynamic between mother and daughter. Read what Shi had to say about the scene in question below.
Shi explained the scene was cut due to the fact that it took too long for Mei to turn into the Panda and because the film worked well without the moment. The resulting photograph is very similar to the first image in the film which shows Ming and Mei positioned in the exact same manner but with Mei’s father Jin (Orion Lee) standing with them. In this way, the scene is still represented in Turning Red.
The cut moment is well-constructed in that it perfectly communicates the director’s intention. Ming’s confidence, strength, and pension for perfection are on display, as well as Mei’s unflinching adoration of her mother. However, Turning Red works just fine without the scene, as the same family dynamics are on display elsewhere in the film. This includes Mei’s opening voice-over explaining the importance of honoring one’s parents, as well as the scene where she assists her mother at the Lee Family Temple. Although the photograph moment was cut from Turning Red, at least audiences can still see it now.