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

Tonight is our final night! SHAOLIN SOCCER (2001)

by | Aug 30, 2009 |

Sunday, Aug. 30, 2009, 8:00 PM Starring Stephen Chow, Zhao Wei, Ng Man-tat, Patrick Tse. Directed by Stephen Chow. Action direction by Ching Siu-tung. Over-the-top physical comedy and a heart-warming story about underdogs who triumph over evil made this film an...

Saturday night cancelled due to weather

by | Aug 29, 2009 |

Tonight's film and performances have been called off due to heavy rain and wind. Check this site for the latest announcements about tomorrow's schedule. We'll aim to close out the series tomorrow night (Sunday) with SHAOLIN SOCCER. Thanks to performers, volunteers,...

Saturday: watching the weather

by | Aug 29, 2009 |

Check this site for announcements about possible cancellation of tonight's event due to rain. Tonight's film, Drunken Master, is scheduled to be shown at the Chinatown Park, just on the other side of the Chinatown Gate from our usual location. In case of heavy rain...

Friday night: updates from the lot

by | Aug 28, 2009 |

6:00pm: Our plan is to go on with the show tonight. We're watching the weather. Check this page for the latest news on Friday's performances and films. 7:00pm: Light rain is tapering off. Wah Lum Kung Fu Athletic Association martial arts demonstration is underway....

Friday’s film: Fist of Legend

by | Aug 28, 2009 |

Friday, Aug. 28, 2009, 8:00 PM Starring Jet Li, Yasuaki Kurata, Billy Chow, Chin Siu-ho. Directed by Gordon Chan. Action direction by Yuen Woo-ping. In this 1994 film, Jet Li plays Chen Zhen, the hero made famous by Bruce Lee in FIST OF FURY, who avenges the death of...