Preparation for the Next Life is an upcoming American drama film directed by Bing Liu and written by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Martyna Majok. The movie is based on Atticus Lish’s acclaimed 2014 debut novel and is set to release on September 5, 2025. Starring Sebiye Behtiyar and Fred Hechinger, the film follows Aishe, a Uyghur immigrant working in the kitchens of New York City’s Chinatown, and Skinner, an Iraq War veteran. As the two cross paths and fall in love, they search for a new beginning in a world that seems determined to hold them back.
The movie explores the immigrant experience and the lingering effects of war in post-9/11 America. True to the novel’s raw portrayal of life on the margins, the filmmakers chose to capture real locations.
Where Was the Movie Filmed?
The main filming for Preparation for the Next Life happened in New York City, where the streets, which are sometimes bright and sometimes harsh, were used as the story’s background. Filming started in the autumn, which fit with the moody tone of the story. Crews were seen in a number of Queens and Manhattan neighbourhoods.
Chinatown, Manhattan
Much of the film unfolds in Chinatown, where Aishe works in underground kitchens. The production used real storefronts and streets in Manhattan’s Chinatown to portray her daily struggles. There were Mandarin and Cantonese billboards for businesses like “FANG CHANG ELECTRONIC” and travel service signs that said “漺祰签证䤏托言” (“Air ticket visa entrusted words”) to draw attention to the busy immigrant community that was at the heart of the story.
Flushing, Queens
Another key filming location was Flushing in Queens, home to one of New York City’s most diverse immigrant communities. The crew filmed scenes at the Kura Revolving Sushi Bar in Flushing, which is a popular place known for its sushi served on a conveyor belt.
Flushing’s busy streets and shopfronts made a great setting for showing how the characters deal with cultural clashes and economic realities. The area is also known for its immigrant housing, which is similar to the small, temporary places that Atticus Lish writes about in his book.
Urban Realism Across the City
While Chinatown and Flushing were central to the story, production also made use of several other parts of New York City to capture Skinner’s journey as a war veteran trying to adjust to civilian life. Street corners, subway entrances, and small convenience stores were used to highlight the isolation and grit of urban living.
Director Bing Liu, known for his documentary work, reportedly aimed for a realistic style, relying on actual city sounds and street movement rather than heavily staged sets. By filming on location, the movie embraces the raw texture of New York life that is so essential to the book’s narrative.
Official Trailer
For more updates on movie and TV show filming locations, visit netfilming.com, your source for behind-the-scenes production news.
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