Haute tension à Chinatown

In the early 20th century, Chinatowns began to appear in North American cities. Today, these communities are deeply inscribed with historical, cultural, and emotional values and filled with generational family businesses. Often bordered by affluent neighbourhoods, they are threatened by developers keen to exploit the land for its real estate value. Big Fight in Little Chinatown exposes attempted evictions and highlights the fighting spirit of communities defending their heritage. In today’s context, where anti-Chinese racism has been exacerbated by the pandemic, this intelligent film, brimming with emotion and levity, sets the record straight.
— Editorial Team

As part of our The State of the World section, the screening on the 24th will be followed by a deep-dive discussion on the themes of the film with Jonathan Cha (Landscape Architect & Conservation Specialist, JIA Foundation), Jessica Chen (Urban Planning Professional, JIA Foundation), Karen Cho (filmmaker), May Chiu (Co-Coordinator Chinatown Roundtable & Volunteer Chinatown Working Group) & Walter Chi-Yan Tom (Lawyer and community activist with Chinatown Working Group) and moderated by Stéphanie Bourbeau (Philosophy Professor at Ahuntsic College, engaged cinephile and cultural mediator in documentary cinema).

Presented in collaboration with the Confédération des syndicats nationaux (CSN)

Big Fight in Little Chinatown