Blue Sun Palace

From the very first shot, the action is dominated by the oppressive confines of the premises: Didi and Amy work in a run-down massage parlor in the New York borough of Queens, including a rather sleazy clientele. It soon becomes clear that the Chinese immigrant women here exist in complete lawlessness. The two are friends, which is a good thing because they don't just work in the salon, they also eat and sleep there - in short, they live there. Unless Didi's lover invites them to dinner at his favorite restaurant, they are a beautiful couple, but he is still married in Taiwan and has a daughter. But he doesn't really want to go back there. On New Year's Day, a cruel accident suddenly changes this little world forever. Fears that have been painstakingly kept in check until then break out. A quiet film that gets to the heart of the lived experience of a migrant community in NYC with rather monosyllabic dialog and a great deal of attention to detail. Breathtaking. (Besides, Lee Kang-sheng is always a stunner as Lover).