Films at the Gate (2006-present)

ABOUT

Since 2006, every summer, a vacant lot near Boston’s Chinatown Gate is transformed into a free, outdoor theater, showing Kung-Fu and classic Chinese-language films. Films at the Gate is a collaborative project of Boston Street Lab, film curator Jean Lukitsh, and the Asian Community Development Corporation. The series seeks to:

  • improve awareness of Boston’s Chinatown as a site of cultural activity
  • restore a tradition of shared, public experience of Chinese-language films in Chinatown, 
  • provide temporary community use of Chinatown’s underutilized spaces, 
  • draw foot-traffic to neighborhood restaurants, and make downtown Boston a destination beyond the working hours.
The Asian Community Development Corporation (ACDC) is a community-based organization serving the Asian American community of Greater Boston, with an emphasis on preserving and revitalizing Boston’s Chinatown. Jean Lukitsh is the curator of the series. Jean is a former resident of Chinatown, and was the projectionist for two of the three cinemas that existed in Boston’s Chinatown in the 70s and 80s. Leslie and Sam Davol are founding producers of the event. After moving to Chinatown with their two children in 2005 and starting Films at the Gate, they founded the 501(c)(3) nonprofit Street Lab. In 2013, they handed off production of the event to ACDC youth, who continue the tradition each year.
FILMS AT THE GATE WEB SITE

Visit www.filmstthegate.org where we maintain an archive of years past. Or see this year’s film schedule at ACDC.

GO BEHIND THE SCENES: OUR BLOG

Over the years that we produced Films at the Gate, we wrote about it on the Street Lab Blog.

A TRADITION OF FILM IN CHINATOWN

Until the late 1980s, Chinatown had three movie theaters which showed double-features three times a day, often to packed houses from midday to midnight. Whole families would attend, and children would often play in the aisles. In the 1970s and 80s, concessions consisted of vending machine-goods, bags of popcorn, and fortune cookies brought in by the owner. Patrons often brought in their own food as well. Jackie Chan movies were especially popular. Facing pressure from the popularity of home video rentals, all three cinemas closed in the 1980’s.
FILMS AT THE GATE PRESS

BLOG POSTS ABOUT FILMS AT THE GATE

Films at the Gate 2008 Ends

by | Sep 8, 2008 |

Thanks to everyone who joined us this week for free, outdoor films in Chinatown. See you again next year. Here's a look at our final evening: a time-lapse video showing the vacant lot transformed into a movie theater (and then back again).

Sunday’s film (final night): Iron Monkey (1993)

by | Sep 7, 2008 |

Films at the Gate closes tonight with Iron Monkey, a kung fu comedy about the childhood of one of China’s most famous martial arts heroes. The citizens of a small Chinese town suffer from failed crops and corrupt officials. Their salvation comes in the form of a...

Saturday’s film: The 36th Chamber of Shaolin

by | Sep 6, 2008 |

Films at the Gate enters the home stretch tonight with THE 36TH CHAMBER OF SHAOLIN. When people talk about old school kung fu movies—they mean this one. Also known as MASTER KILLER, from its dubbed-in-English 1980s video release. Gordon Liu (KILL BILL) plays San Te,...

Friday’s film: Red Heroine (1929)

by | Sep 5, 2008 |

  On Friday, Films at the Gate features the 1929 silent film RED HEROINE with an original score created and performed live by Devil Music Ensemble. This silent film from 1929 is the oldest complete swordplay (wuxia) film in existence. It’s also a good example of...