Articles by Sam

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).

[Can't load our video? View on YouTube instead.]

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 Robin Hood figure, the Iron Monkey, who steals from the rich to give to poor. When martial arts master Wong Kay-ying arrives, his martial arts skills lead local lawmen to suspect that he may be the masked outlaw. Wong’s son, Wong Fei-hung, is caught in the line of fire as he fights to clear his name. In the end, Wong and the Iron Monkey must join forces to face the real villain of the piece. Starring Boston’s Donnie Yen. 

(In 2001, Jean Lukitsh, Films at the Gate curator, interviewed actor Donnie Yen and director Yuen Wo-Ping about their work on IRON MONKEY.)

Tonight’s film will be preceded by a 10 minute performance by Bow Sim Mark Tai Chi Arts Association and Rick Wong’s Chinese Martial Arts at 7:20 PM.

Come join us as we conclude Films at the Gate 2008 this evening.

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, a Shaolin monk who masters the 35 training chambers of Shaolin kung fu and persuades the monastery to open a 36th chamber in order to train lay students to fight the oppressive Qing government (thereby setting up a scenario played out in countless kung fu films). Directed by Lau Kar-leung. Starring Gordon Liu. Special thanks to Bey Logan at The Weinstein Company, for permitting the screening of the Dragon Dynasty DVD of 36th Chamber.

Due to rain, tonight’s screening was held at Wolff Auditorium, Tufts Medical Center (map). Thanks to Tufts Medical Center for use of the auditorium.

Learn more about small things 2, an art installation next to Films at the Gate.
Visit the department of micro-urbanism and click on “small things project_2″.

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 the classic “nu xia” or “female knight” plot, where the young heroine learns to fight the bandits who have taken over her town. Jean Lukitsh, Films at the Gate curator, has posted an entry on her blog Electric Shadows about the return of Red Heroine to the screen. Friday’s performance begins Devil Music Ensemble’s nationwide 32-city Red Heroine Tour 2008 with funding from New England Foundation for the Arts.

Friday’s film will be preceded by a lion dance, performed by members of the Nam Pai Kung Fu Academy. The lion dance will begin around 7:15 PM.

Last night, nearly all 200 rented chairs were in use. We encourage you to bring your own seating if available—there’s plenty of room to set up more chairs on the lot. See you tonight.

Films at the Gate continues with POLICE STORY at 7:30 PM. Details and directions here. POLICE STORY was Jackie Chan’s first big contemporary hit and it set a new standard for modern action films. Jackie is a heroic cop framed by a mobster and forced to take revenge. Directed by Jackie Chan, and starring Jackie Chan, Brigitte Lin, and Maggie Cheung. Special thanks to Bey Logan at The Weinstein Company, for permitting the screening of the Dragon Dynasty DVD Police Story.

Films at the Gate opens a five night run with MY YOUNG AUNTIE at 7:30 PM. Details and directions here. MY YOUNG AUNTIE is a kung fu smackdown and wacky comedy showcasing Kara Hui as a young woman who enters a marriage of convenience with an elderly benefactor to prevent his estate from being seized. When she seeks out the rightful heirs, they are forced by Chinese convention to treat her as their “auntie’ and social superior. Directed by Lau Kar-leung. Special thanks to Bey Logan, Vice-president of Asian Acquisitions and Co-production at The Weinstein Company, for permitting the screening of the Dragon Dynasty DVD My Young Auntie.

Wednesday, Sept. 3 - Sunday, Sept. 7, 2008

For five nights this September, for the third year in a row, a vacant lot near Boston’s Chinatown Gate will become a free, outdoor theater, showing Kung-Fu and classic Chinese-language films under the stars. Thanks for helping us bring back a tradition of watching movies together in Chinatown.

• Film schedule. 
• Directions and event details. 
• How to Help. 
• More about this project.

Films at the Gate salutes the grand opening of a new neighbor: the Hudson Street Gallery. The new art space in Boston’s Chinatown will open on Saturday, September 6, from 12:00-5:00 PM. The gallery is located a few doors down from the Films at the Gate lot, so drop in before you catch Saturday night’s film THE 36TH CHAMBER OF SHAOLIN. 

The Hudson Street Gallery seeks to “honor the history and heritage of Chinatown and its immigrant communities while providing a home for contemporary artists to explore issues of geography, ethnicity and urbanism.” The gallery features several contemporary photographers and also historical images of Chinatown provided by The Asian Community Development Corporation. The historical photos include images of Hudson Street and the destructive impact the former Central Artery had on the neighborhood and its people.

Help us spread the word! Download and share Films at the Gate posters and cards.

Thanks Catherine Lim of the Asian Community Development Corporation and Diane Chen of Asian Voices of Organized Youth for Community Empowerment for creating these materials.

Films at the Gate 2008 Postcard

Films at the Gate 2008 Poster

Films at the Gate 2008 Poster Large

When Films at the Gate returns this fall (Sept 3 - Sept 7, 2008), the series will feature the 1929 silent film RED HEROINE with an original score created and performed live by Devil Music Ensemble. The group will premiere their work on Friday evening, Sept 5. View the entire 2008 Films at the Gate schedule here.

Update 8/30/08: Jean Lukitsh, Films at the Gate curator, has posted an entry on her blog Electric Shadows about the return of Red Heroine to the screen.

We’ve gathered photos and video from previous years and uploaded them to sharing sites.

See photos from 2006-2007, now on Flickr.

See 2007 event video on YouTube or at higher resolution here.

See 2006 event video and preview reel.

Read about Films at the Gate in the news from Sampan (9/7/07),  WBUR Boston (9/15/06), and the Boston Globe (8/18/06).

As Films at the Gate prepares to return for a third year, we’re rebuilding our web site. During the next week, we’ll be adding features, including photos, video, and program notes from previous years.

In the mean time, you can view a mirror of the old site here  [site removed]