The Geographical Imagination of Far Far Away

This essay argues that, viewed through the critical lens of cultural geography, Amos Why’s 2021 romantic comedy Far Far Away emerges as an incisive critique of the dominant and exclusivist use of space in neoliberal Hong Kong while exploring the transformative potential of cultural expression. Specifically, the film creates an affective map that deeply resonates with the prevalent concerns surrounding home and community. Through a nomadic exploration, Far Far Away redraws the maps of Hong Kong, opening up pathways to investigate heterotopic spaces and the lived experiences etched within urban landscapes. By bringing into play the dynamics of love and living space, identity and mobility, roots and routes, romantic quest and self-discovery, the film’s geographical imagination empowers us with an affective, exploratory engagement with our environment fostering a reflective, anticipatory agency in the face of uncertainty.