<P> Saving Face is a 2004 American romantic comedy drama film directed by Alice Wu . The film focuses on Wilhelmina, a young Chinese - American surgeon; her unwed, pregnant mother; and her dancer girlfriend . </P> <P> The name itself is a reference to the pan-East Asian social concept of face . </P> <P> Wilhelmina ("Wil"), a successful young Chinese American surgeon, lives in New York City . Forced by her mother Gao to come to the typical gathering at Planet China amongst family friends, Wil is closeted to her mother and the rest of the older adults . Her mother has plans to set her up with a son of a friend . Wil is drawn to Vivian, the daughter of one of the Chinese mothers who recently got a divorce . They run into each other at the hospital where Wil works, only to discover that Vivian's father is Wil's boss . Vivian and her father have a tense relationship since Vivian is currently pursuing her love of modern dance instead of the more respectable ballet . </P> <P> Wil comes home to discover her mother has been kicked out by her grandfather for being pregnant out of wedlock, bringing shame to the family . Wil asks for the identity of the father, but Gao refuses to answer . From then on, Gao lives with Wil . Vivian invites Wil to one of her dance shows and after the show, the two hang out . Vivian reveals the fact that they had met once before when they were children; Vivian kissed Wil on the nose after Wil rescued her from bullies; Wil ran away afterwards . Vivian and Wil go to Vivian's apartment and the two kiss . </P>

Where did the film saving face take place