Full Moon in New York

Stanley Kwan's 1989 film follows three Chinese women who meet in New York. One has just arrived from the mainland, one is a Taiwanese actress, one runs a restaurant and comes from Hong Kong. All three speak the same language and none come from the same place. The film opens that difference in conversation; the narrative argues over home, marriage and permanence from three positions and vindicates none of them. Maggie Cheung, Sylvia Chang and Siqin Gaowa were brought together as performers from the three regions, a choice that matches the film's own subject. Who it's for: viewers of Hong Kong cinema and narratives of migration. Who it's not for: viewers expecting incident; the film is built on conversation.