Saving Face

Set in contemporary urban America, the story follows Wil and Vivian over several months during a period when LGBTQ relationships begin to surface more openly in personal and public spaces. The Paris ballet opportunity marks a turning point in the timeline, influencing choices about love and career. The film situates these events within a modern, city-centric timeframe rather than a historical era.

The narrative unfolds primarily in New York City, with pivotal scenes at the Planet China restaurant during family gatherings and at Wil's hospital workplace. It also visits Vivian's Paris-bound ballet world, highlighting a contrast between urban American life and international performing arts. Home life centers around Wil and her mother, weaving in the apartment and domestic spaces that shape their relationship.

💖 Love and identity

The romance between Wil and Vivian lies at the core of the film, testing whether intimate love can endure familial and societal expectations. Wil's fear of public affection reveals the tension between personal truth and family reputation. The story explores self-acceptance as a catalyst for authentic relationships.

🧭 Family duty vs. personal happiness

Hwei-Lan Pang embodies traditional expectations, pressing Wil toward a conventional path. Wil's pursuit of love and career challenges that script, highlighting the struggle between honoring family obligations and pursuing individual happiness. The resolution centers on choosing authenticity over conformity.

🎭 Cultural clash

Immigrant family dynamics collide with modern American life, creating humor and tenderness as heritage and modernity intersect. Dinner tables and community gatherings become spaces where differences are negotiated. The film uses these moments to examine how culture evolves within intimate relationships.