Ephemera

For anyone who’s ever pined over a what-could-have-been relationship, this electric romance is a must-watch. On her last night in post-pandemic Shanghai, Chinese-American actress Asher invites Tori, her charismatic hip-hop dance instructor, for a coffee date. Over a night of wandering, play, and quiet intimacy, their deepening feelings blur the line between fleeting encounter and lasting bond. But as dawn approaches, so does Asher’s flight back to Los Angeles.

EPHEMERA revels in the beauty of a profound connection that, although brief, holds a life-changing weight. With echoes of Richard Linklater’s beloved BEFORE trilogy, this debut feature from writer-director Shan Jiang spotlights the magnetic chemistry of its two leads – breakout stars Yvonne Shuyu Zhang and Shu-Yi. It’s that rare queer love story that’s visually striking and both intensely emotional and satisfyingly breezy. It moves with the energy of a city night that you never want to end and leaves that deep-seated ache that the best romantic films do.