The same situation is played out in different cities (New York, Berlin and Tokyo). A lover has to choose whether to commit to a partner who is returning home. In each case there are other people involved, an ex-partner and someone else in a "permanent" relationship, what do they choose to do?
Writing
Identical dialogue transformed by context — pure Hartley.
Direction
Three cities, one emotional equation solved differently.
Acting
Posey and Nikaido own their versions completely.
Director
Hal Hartley
Bill Sage
Bill
King Mustafa Obafemi
Dwight
Miho Nikaido
Miho
Parker Posey
Emily
Martin Donovan
Walter
Karen Sillas
Dr. Clint
Michael Imperioli
Michael
Maria Schrader
Woman at Bar
Peter Fitz
Doctor
Masatoshi Nagase
Hal's assistant
Harold Perrineau
Men's Room Man #1
Robert John Burke
Men's Room Man #2
Erica Gimpel
Nurse
Holt McCallany
Bartender
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Hartley shot the New York version first as a 1993 short film, then expanded it after festivals demanded more.
The Tokyo segment was nearly cut when Japanese financiers found Miho's passive-aggressive dialogue 'unrealistic' — Hartley refused to change it.
US
