Budapest, Hungary

Budapest represents a world that is overwhelming and chaotic to Korin, contrasting with the familiarity of his small hometown. The city exposes him to sudden violence, as with the gang of children on the railway bridge, and sensory overload, such as the intensity of the music gig. Amid this turbulence, brief moments of human connection, like his interaction with the air stewardess at the ticket office, punctuate the chaos, suggesting that even in environments that feel threatening and disorienting, small gestures of understanding and recognition are possible. The city establishes the stakes of his vulnerability and isolation.

New York

New York functions as both a site of danger and a place of purpose for Korin. He is exposed to violence, from random attacks to the murders of Maria and the interpreter, and navigates a city that is chaotic, alien, and overwhelming. On the other hand, it is...