See Emily Ting's "Already Tomorrow in Hong Kong"

In the early 1990s, my wife and I lived in Southeast Asia, teaching English in Taiwan, and one of our favorite places in all our travels was the cosmopolitan gem of Hong Kong. We visited several times because it was so accessible, and we always planned to return. With this month's release of writer/director Emily Ting's Already Tomorrow in Hong Kong, we've been given the best opportunity, short of buy a ticket. Ting's storyline is a bit of an homage to a familiar Gen X plot - the expat life seen through chance encounters that was developed by Richard Linklater in Before Sunrise and Before Sunset.

Already Tomorrow in Hong Kong shares the story of Ruby, a young fashion designer visiting Hong Kong on business, and Josh, an American expat who walks her through the Hong Kong night after she gets separated from friends. There is, no doubt, an immediate connection between the two, complicated by their personal lives. The story cuts away after their first brief night together, and then reconvenes a year later to finish the story.



While the story of Josh and Ruby is central to the plot, which is mostly dialogue-driven, another star of the movie is the city of Hong Kong. The skyline features prominently throughout, and the backdrops are more than just scenery. The story also carries somewhat of a Lost in Translation vibe, as the couple comes together in a foreign city which leads to their connection, but is also central to their separation. Emily Ting's dialogue authentically captures the spirit of the city and essence of the moment. My wife and I enjoyed the movie so much, we started it again as soon as it finished.

For a great night in a great city, check out Emily Ting's Already Tomorrow in Hong Kong.