Chi-natown
Walking in Chicago’s Chinatown, you will find savory Asian food, dazzling commodities in the windows, and sculpted walls of mystic oriental figures. It’s seen as a replica of China. Some come here to eat in restaurants, shop in Asian markets, or do other tourist-like activities. But for the Chinese in Chicago, it’s the extension of their motherland thousands of miles away. From Chinese heritage and the customs of this new land, Chinatown grows its own unique culture. The architecture carved with totems stands tall for decades to tell the history of the Chinese and the history of America.
Behind the scene:
This is a medium-form documentary about Chicago Chinatown, the only Chinatown that is still growing in the United States. Coming from China, I feel like it is an important connection to my culture, but even I was not familiar with Chinatown's history before this project. I believe Chinatowns are unique in that they combine American and Chinese cultures. For those who were born and raised there, their roots are in China, but they developed their own communities and cultures in the land of America. This documentary features interviews with three persons in Chicago Chinatown. During this process, I experienced deeply the importance of effective and proper communication when doing teamwork. The first interview was initially a mess, and the reason was a lack of preparation and prior communication within our team. We all have our own working style, but it is necessary to talk and make sure everyone is on the same page when we are working together.
Equipment: Fujifilm XT30II, Canon XF605, Sony FS5, Canon 70-200, DJI Pocket 2, Wireless Mic, Tripod, Light, Boom Mic
Shooting period: July, 2023
Editing period: August, 2023