What It’s About
Middle aged immigrant Cheung (Kang-sheng) works construction in New York City, but feels lonely and disconnected. He still supports his wife and daughter in Taiwan, but a dark event from his past prevents his returning. He takes comfort in the companionship of Didi (Haipeng), a masseuse who counts Cheung as a special friend and client. At the Queens massage parlor where she works with her best friend Amy (Wu), the two ladies dream of moving to Baltimore and opening a restaurant. When tragedy strikes, Cheung and Amy find themselves drawn together by grief.
Why We Love It
Tsang’s impressive feature debut evokes the singular experience of Asian immigrants forced to adjust to uncertain new lives in New York City. Since they can’t fully assimilate into the broader society, they exist within their own small, constricted world, marking time and trying to make the best of it. Cheung and Didi share a lovely rapport, but could they sustain any kind of future together? This subtle, observational film takes us places we’d never otherwise go, and it’s a memorable, affecting trip.