An anthill, a melting pot.
Multicolored neon lights flashing, a crowd of passers-by, the incessant noise of the intense road traffic.
From upscale neighborhoods to ultra-secure residences and dingy buildings where the poorest people are crowded together.
Hong Kong, a vibrant international megalopolis made of contrasts, is the real heroine of “Expats”, a big favorite on Prime Video, the first two episodes of which are released online this Friday.
We follow the daily lives of several women.
Two are expatriates, Margaret (Nicole Kidman, also co-producer), who has temporarily put her career on hold, and Hilary (Sarayu Rao), who works.
They are friends and neighbors, live in a luxury residence, each with a Filipina maid taking care of everything at home.
Mercy (Ji-young Yoo) is a young American student of Korean origin who arrives from New York and is struggling through a series of odd jobs.
A drama will unite the three women.
The story takes place in the middle of the student protests of 2014, violently repressed by the police, the “umbrella revolt”, giving a fascinating political background to the series.
Sublime image, powerful music, in-depth characters
Chinese-American director Lulu Wang wonderfully depicts the atmosphere of the city of a thousand cultures.
She takes the time to observe the place, and the camera captures the bustling atmosphere of the metropolis.
You can almost smell the smell of grilled chicken, the scent of the streets after a tropical storm.
The image is sublime, highlighted by a powerful, very present soundtrack, which fits perfectly with the images.
The characters are in-depth, full of nuances and complexity.
Everyone lives with their past, their inner ghosts and tries to move forward despite everything.
Alongside the world of the ultra-rich, the series also depicts the daily life of maids, all from the Philippines, lives put on hold, serving these wealthy households.
They see everything, know everything, even the most intimate things.
Complex relationships are formed with the families with whom they work.
They are part of it, but remain employees, even if they sometimes replace the mothers in the hearts of the children.
All of this is filmed with great delicacy.
The series, a story of women and friendship, never superficial, asks fundamental questions.
What does it mean to succeed in life?
Do we choose it?
Are we the only fruit of our education?
Are we guilty or victim?
All without Manichaeism, or ready-made answers.
Even if Nicole Kidman (56 years old) is not entirely credible as a young mother, she is moving as a broken woman, swept away by a tragedy.
The first two episodes are posted online this Friday.
The others will follow, one by one, each week.
Editor's note:
4.5/5
“Expats”,
American series by Lulu Wang, with Nicole Kidman, Sarayu Rao, Ji-young Yoo, Brian Tee, Jack Huston.... Six episodes, two put online this Friday, January 26, then a new one every week.
On Prime Video.