Top image via A24
"Past Lives," one of 2023's more celebrated films, was recently made available to stream.
Writer-director Celine Song's generation-spanning film follows two childhood friends from Seoul to the East Village.
This neighborhood is the backdrop for the adult characters (played by Greta Lee and Teo Yoo) and former sweethearts as they contemplate what might have been... and maybe could be.
Locations here included First Street between First Avenue and Second Avenue...
... and the Holiday Cocktail Lounge on St. Mark's Place.
Here's an interview with Song and Steve Buscemi at the Angelika, discussing the climatic last scene on First Street ... and how she found this block (thanks to FocusPulling for this clip)...
"Past Lives" received two Oscar nominations: best picture and original screenplay... and likely deserved more.
And you can see it still on a big screen at Cinema Village on 12th Street between University and Fifth Avenue.
9 comments:
That building isn't 37 east 1st, but is it the building that used to house PAC Lab?
God, that movie was so good. The East Village backdrop was just gravy. A small, quiet film like this probably won't win either of the awards it's nominated for, but I'm glad it got recognized. And Greta Lee and Teo Yoo both delivered Oscar-worthy performances; John Magaro was great, too. Granted, there was some stiff competition, but it was disappointing to see no Asian/Asian-American actors get nominated this year (see also Charles Melton in May December, arguably the bigger snub).
John Magaro was great! I should have mentioned him...
And Scuba Diva, Pac Lab was on the other side of the street closer to 2nd Avenue...
That block was magical in the late 90s.
The Holiday Cocktail Lounge used to be known as the Alcoholiday Cocktail Lounge by many of the vodka-shots-beer-chaser locals.
And La Palapa next door to Holiday was the (faux) Italian restaurant setting.
Possibly my favorite aspect is that all 3 of the actors had lived & struggled in our hood & how they got to come shoot & revel in their successful careers “at home”- that just makes me happy!
Really loved this film.. a small masterpiece .. and as someone who has lived in the EV for 30 years .. really loved where it was shot!
That walking scene is so moving. The 150 ft of track that they used was so important because the long take adds so much intimacy to the scene.
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