Bao Merchandise – A Dumpling to Love
Pixar can do big worlds – and very small ones. Bao belongs to the small ones: the 2018 short film tells, in about eight minutes and without a single spoken word, how a mother in Toronto watches a dumpling that has come to life grow up. What begins as cute turns out to be a story about letting go, caring, and family bonds – told by Domee Shi, who won the 2019 Oscar for Best Animated Short Film for Bao. In theaters it played ahead of "Incredibles 2." At Elbenwald you'll find officially licensed collectibles for the film: compact like the source material, made for fans with an eye for the small things. And yes: a craving for dumplings is a known side effect.
What makes Bao stand out?
The impact per minute. Hardly any Pixar work gets so much out of so little runtime: a set table, a steaming bamboo-basket load of baozi, a being with button eyes – the film needs nothing more to swing between laughter and a lump in your throat. Domee Shi draws on her own experience as the child of Chinese immigrants in Canada, and it's exactly that personal touch that makes Bao a favorite among Pixar's short films. For collecting, that means the designs live on recognition. Anyone who's seen the film doesn't see a snack in the little dumpling but an entire story – and gladly passes that on as a gift. Small gesture, big impact: no collectible captures the Pixar principle better.
Frequently asked questions
What Bao products does Elbenwald offer?
A curated selection of officially licensed collectibles for the Pixar short film, such as pins. The category shows what's currently available – details are listed on the respective product page.
What is the short film Bao about?
A mother experiences one of her homemade dumplings coming to life and growing up like a child. The short film tells, without dialogue, a story of raising and letting go – and of a family's reconciliation.
Who directed Bao?
Director Domee Shi, who made the film at Pixar and won the 2019 Oscar for Best Animated Short Film for it. She later directed the Pixar feature film "Turning Red."
Range overview
Bao fandom is detail work: pins put the Pixar world's smallest family member in the spotlight, and the Collectibles category holds further finds. If you're after something soft, browse Pixar's cuddly relatives among the plush figures; sturdier options can be found under Figures – and as a small gift with a big effect, the Gift Ideas are worth a look.
What else goes well with it?
Bao played ahead of The Incredibles – so the superhero family is an obvious next step. Silent yet eloquent, WALL-E also tells its story, heartfelt themes are explored by Up and Toy Story. The complete universe of mouse, Pixar, and more comes together at Disney.
