Les Lumières de New York is an American drama directed and written by Lloyd Lee Choi. Marking the Canadian filmmaker’s feature debut, the film was showcased at the Directors’ Fortnight during the 2025 Cannes Film Festival. Based on a critically acclaimed short film, it is set for release in French theaters on January 7, 2026.
Lu arrived in New York from China, dreaming of opening his own restaurant and starting fresh. However, the harsh economic realities quickly set in, leaving him buried in debt and forced to take on a string of menial, often unnoticed jobs, including delivering food. Isolated within a community that gradually turns away from him, he struggles to survive in a city that doesn’t always deliver on its promises.
After years apart, his wife and daughter finally arrive in New York, driven by the hope of rebuilding their family. For several days, Lu struggles to give them a glimpse of happiness and to rekindle the hope of a future together, despite the mounting challenges they face.
Through this personal story, the film explores themes of immigration, poverty, and the American Dream, shining a spotlight on lives that are often overlooked or kept off-screen.
Premiered at the 57th edition of the Directors’ Fortnight, this film is part of a curated selection showcasing emerging talents and experimental approaches in contemporary cinema. The section praised it as a rare portrait of New York City, primarily set in Chinatown, offering a fresh perspective far from the usual tourist clichés.
The project was born during the Covid pandemic, as Lloyd Lee Choi looked closely at the daily lives of delivery workers in New York. Filmed during the cold winter months between December and January, the film adopts a minimalist visual style, using static shots crafted in collaboration with cinematographer Norm Li to stay intimately connected to the characters and their movements.
With its subtle realism and focus on family dynamics, Lights of New York appeals to viewers interested in social dramas and contemporary immigration stories. It fits within a tradition of indie cinema that highlights everyday lives and marginalized urban communities.
Lights of New York
Film | 2026
Release date in theaters: January 7, 2026
Drama | Duration: 1h43
Directed by Lloyd Lee Choi | Starring Fala Chen, Perry Yung, Laith Nakli
Original title: Lucky Lu
Countries: United States, Canada
With Lights of New York, Lloyd Lee Choi debuts with a heartfelt feature that feels grounded in reality. The film explores the promise of a brighter future through the perspective of a man facing the fragile nature of the American dream.
To extend your in-theater experience, check out the January movie releases, discover the must-see films of the moment, and explore our selection of the year's standout dramas.
