The film gets under the skin of a very marginalized group: recent immigrants to Hong Kong from Mainland China. Belying the expectation that they will belong in a territory now returned to China's sovereignty, they find themselves lonely, frustrated, poor, and employable only in the most menial jobs, from elevator service staff to prostitution.
| Actor | Role |
|---|---|
 Tony Leung Ka-faiAh Jian | Ah Jian |
 Lü LipingAh Yan | Ah Yan |
 Wang NingYan Ying | Yan Ying |
| RRolf Chow Chi-SangAh Chun | Ah Chun |