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LOVE, CHINATOWN has been nominated for a @thewebbyawards in the Film & Video - Documentary category! We’re honored to be considered among this year’s “best of the internet.”

The film is also eligible for the Webby People’s Voice Award, voted on by online audiences. Be sure to cast your ballot at the link in our bio!

A true love letter to Chinatown, the film can be streamed on @youtube and @wgbh. Congrats Lukas, Cynthia, Gwen, and the entire filmmaking team!

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The Alfa - out now! Link in bio.
Listen to a snippet of the glorious original music @katya.richardson created for the film.

And thank you @masonprendergast @rhoddyjensen @calebhawkinsss @ian.tunney and @jussi_grznar for trekking out to the desert to make these images possible. The TZ back in its home 🏁🏁🏁🏁

THE ALFA. Coming to Youtube late december

- LD & AVDC

#alfaromeo #alaindecadenet #alfaromeotz #automotive #shortfilm

THE ALFA – Trailer. Coming soon

From Aidan:
I firmly believe that everyone is brought onto this earth to serve a greater purpose before moving on to whatever comes next. For most of us, the pursuit of that purpose ultimately centres on the goal of finding happiness, though happiness is, of course, defined differently by each of us. For me, I am happiest when creating, adventuring, and meeting new people. Whether you’re making music, crafting artwork, starting a family, building films, or traveling around the world, the act of creation and exploration is what drives us to keep chasing that seemingly impossible state of true happiness.

A little over two years ago, I shared what I thought was a simple idea with the most talented storyteller I know, my dear friend, Lukas Dong. I asked if he thought the idea might resonate, and without hesitation, he understood the vision and immediately started bringing it to life with me.

We have created the first episode of what we anticipate will be ten to start. We are looking to travel around and bring out tales from people all over the world. The series revolves around objects passed down through generations. Items that carry vast, untold stories and with a passion that’s worth sharing. It is about anything infused with authentic love and a bond between person and object that is strong enough to breathe life into the inanimate. We believe these things have souls, just waiting to be shared out loud.

Lukas, thank you for everything you have helped create with me. Simply put, this would not be happening without you. Let us never stop doing what we do best, which is never sitting still and always chasing that next adventure.

To anyone who might watch the first short film in the series: thank you for your interest, thank you for being you, and for giving a few moments of your time. We hope you will enjoy the ride in each one of these as much as Lukas and I do.

Lastly, a note to my dad:
I held your hand before I lost you, looked you in the eyes, and told you three words that changed my life forever: “I’ve got us.” You are the reason I am still here today. I hope this is one part of that promise. This is for you…

Cynthia Yee, a lifelong resident of Boston’s Chinatown, revisits the neighborhood that shaped her life. Along the way, she crosses paths with Gwen, a college student whose future is intertwined with the neighborhood’s growth. Through their intergenerational dialogue, the film becomes a portrait of memory, identity, belonging and cultural continuity in one of Boston’s most historic enclaves.⁠
⁠
LOVE, CHINATOWN⁠
Dir. Lukas Dong⁠
⁠
▶️ Watch Now 🔗 Link in Bio⁠
⁠
"LOVE, CHINATOWN opens its historical tour of Boston’s Chinatown with a warm, engaging introduction from charismatic lifelong resident Cynthia Yee. Though her narration initially suggests a personal biography in keeping with Breakwater’s signature style, the film unfolds over its 19-minute runtime into something broader and more resonant: a poignant exploration of community, resilience, and the Asian-American experience." - S/W Curator, @_robmunday⁠
⁠
CREDITS⁠
⁠
FEATURING @Cyn_yee19 and @gwen.liu⁠
DIRECTED BY @loookahs⁠
PRODUCED BY @rachgdub & @itsnickwright⁠
EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS @bgproudfoot & kirstin_falk⁠
EDITED BY @loookahs⁠
CINEMATOGRAPHER @samdavis⁠
COLOR BY @sderlug⁠
ORIGINAL SCORE BY @katya.richardson

Cynthia Yee, a lifelong resident of Boston’s Chinatown, revisits the neighborhood that shaped her life. Along the way, she crosses paths with Gwen, a college student whose future is intertwined with the neighborhood’s growth. Through their intergenerational dialogue, the film becomes a portrait of memory, identity, belonging and cultural continuity in one of Boston’s most historic enclaves.⁠
⁠
LOVE, CHINATOWN⁠
Dir. Lukas Dong⁠
⁠
▶️ Watch Now 🔗 Link in Bio⁠
⁠
"LOVE, CHINATOWN opens its historical tour of Boston’s Chinatown with a warm, engaging introduction from charismatic lifelong resident Cynthia Yee. Though her narration initially suggests a personal biography in keeping with Breakwater’s signature style, the film unfolds over its 19-minute runtime into something broader and more resonant: a poignant exploration of community, resilience, and the Asian-American experience." - S/W Curator, @_robmunday⁠
⁠
CREDITS⁠
⁠
FEATURING @Cyn_yee19 and @gwen.liu⁠
DIRECTED BY @loookahs⁠
PRODUCED BY @rachgdub & @itsnickwright⁠
EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS @bgproudfoot & kirstin_falk⁠
EDITED BY @loookahs⁠
CINEMATOGRAPHER @samdavis⁠
COLOR BY @sderlug⁠
ORIGINAL SCORE BY @katya.richardson

Cynthia Yee, a lifelong resident of Boston’s Chinatown, revisits the neighborhood that shaped her life. Along the way, she crosses paths with Gwen, a college student whose future is intertwined with the neighborhood’s growth. Through their intergenerational dialogue, the film becomes a portrait of memory, identity, belonging and cultural continuity in one of Boston’s most historic enclaves.⁠
⁠
LOVE, CHINATOWN⁠
Dir. Lukas Dong⁠
⁠
▶️ Watch Now 🔗 Link in Bio⁠
⁠
"LOVE, CHINATOWN opens its historical tour of Boston’s Chinatown with a warm, engaging introduction from charismatic lifelong resident Cynthia Yee. Though her narration initially suggests a personal biography in keeping with Breakwater’s signature style, the film unfolds over its 19-minute runtime into something broader and more resonant: a poignant exploration of community, resilience, and the Asian-American experience." - S/W Curator, @_robmunday⁠
⁠
CREDITS⁠
⁠
FEATURING @Cyn_yee19 and @gwen.liu⁠
DIRECTED BY @loookahs⁠
PRODUCED BY @rachgdub & @itsnickwright⁠
EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS @bgproudfoot & kirstin_falk⁠
EDITED BY @loookahs⁠
CINEMATOGRAPHER @samdavis⁠
COLOR BY @sderlug⁠
ORIGINAL SCORE BY @katya.richardson

Cynthia Yee, a lifelong resident of Boston’s Chinatown, revisits the neighborhood that shaped her life. Along the way, she crosses paths with Gwen, a college student whose future is intertwined with the neighborhood’s growth. Through their intergenerational dialogue, the film becomes a portrait of memory, identity, belonging and cultural continuity in one of Boston’s most historic enclaves.⁠
⁠
LOVE, CHINATOWN⁠
Dir. Lukas Dong⁠
⁠
▶️ Watch Now 🔗 Link in Bio⁠
⁠
"LOVE, CHINATOWN opens its historical tour of Boston’s Chinatown with a warm, engaging introduction from charismatic lifelong resident Cynthia Yee. Though her narration initially suggests a personal biography in keeping with Breakwater’s signature style, the film unfolds over its 19-minute runtime into something broader and more resonant: a poignant exploration of community, resilience, and the Asian-American experience." - S/W Curator, @_robmunday⁠
⁠
CREDITS⁠
⁠
FEATURING @Cyn_yee19 and @gwen.liu⁠
DIRECTED BY @loookahs⁠
PRODUCED BY @rachgdub & @itsnickwright⁠
EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS @bgproudfoot & kirstin_falk⁠
EDITED BY @loookahs⁠
CINEMATOGRAPHER @samdavis⁠
COLOR BY @sderlug⁠
ORIGINAL SCORE BY @katya.richardson

LOVE, CHINATOWN

I first met Cynthia at 7 AM in a dim sum restaurant in Boston’s Chinatown, just 30 minutes after stepping off a redeye. I had no idea what the day would bring, only that I needed to convince a skeptical Cynthia to be part of our film (she thought I was some sort of “Harvey Weinstein Hollywood guy”).

I expected to meet Cynthia alone, but instead she showed up with her self-described “brigade” of community members seated around a table, ready to interrogate me about this film. Despite the confrontation, I somehow felt very welcomed, almost at home.

Cynthia Yee (@cyn_yee19) and Gwen Liu (@gwen.liu) gave this film its heart. Without them, it could have taken a thousand different paths, none of which would have captured what struck me most in those first 12 hours in Chinatown: the warmth, the humor, and the weight of history that still lingers in subtle ways in the community.

While my experiences differ from many in the film, there was an unspoken connection, our shared Chinese heritage and the way we each navigate the world in our own unstructured ways. This film has given me new perspectives, unforgettable experiences, and, most importantly, friendships that have shown me the power of standing up for what you believe in, something I hope resonates with those who watch it.

This film was shot over the course of twenty days, across multiple trips to Boston. Most days were dedicated to simply exploring, never knowing where I would end up next. Behind every second of b roll in the film is a rich scene that could have been a short film of its own. I hope you feel the endless stories in this community. Sometimes all you have to do is look up.

Thank you to @breakwaterstudios for letting me tweak every detail over and over again, and giving me the space to explore. @samdavis @katya.richardson @rachgdub @itsnickwright @bgproudfoot @seanphiggins @sderlug @edouardfan @monisalazaro @lauracarlz @olivia_schlosstein @sorella_studios @spencercgoodall @felipelopezrey @keeofb

Watch LOVE, CHINATOWN now on the @wgbh Youtube channel.

-LD

LOVE, CHINATOWN

I first met Cynthia at 7 AM in a dim sum restaurant in Boston’s Chinatown, just 30 minutes after stepping off a redeye. I had no idea what the day would bring, only that I needed to convince a skeptical Cynthia to be part of our film (she thought I was some sort of “Harvey Weinstein Hollywood guy”).

I expected to meet Cynthia alone, but instead she showed up with her self-described “brigade” of community members seated around a table, ready to interrogate me about this film. Despite the confrontation, I somehow felt very welcomed, almost at home.

Cynthia Yee (@cyn_yee19) and Gwen Liu (@gwen.liu) gave this film its heart. Without them, it could have taken a thousand different paths, none of which would have captured what struck me most in those first 12 hours in Chinatown: the warmth, the humor, and the weight of history that still lingers in subtle ways in the community.

While my experiences differ from many in the film, there was an unspoken connection, our shared Chinese heritage and the way we each navigate the world in our own unstructured ways. This film has given me new perspectives, unforgettable experiences, and, most importantly, friendships that have shown me the power of standing up for what you believe in, something I hope resonates with those who watch it.

This film was shot over the course of twenty days, across multiple trips to Boston. Most days were dedicated to simply exploring, never knowing where I would end up next. Behind every second of b roll in the film is a rich scene that could have been a short film of its own. I hope you feel the endless stories in this community. Sometimes all you have to do is look up.

Thank you to @breakwaterstudios for letting me tweak every detail over and over again, and giving me the space to explore. @samdavis @katya.richardson @rachgdub @itsnickwright @bgproudfoot @seanphiggins @sderlug @edouardfan @monisalazaro @lauracarlz @olivia_schlosstein @sorella_studios @spencercgoodall @felipelopezrey @keeofb

Watch LOVE, CHINATOWN now on the @wgbh Youtube channel.

-LD

LOVE, CHINATOWN

I first met Cynthia at 7 AM in a dim sum restaurant in Boston’s Chinatown, just 30 minutes after stepping off a redeye. I had no idea what the day would bring, only that I needed to convince a skeptical Cynthia to be part of our film (she thought I was some sort of “Harvey Weinstein Hollywood guy”).

I expected to meet Cynthia alone, but instead she showed up with her self-described “brigade” of community members seated around a table, ready to interrogate me about this film. Despite the confrontation, I somehow felt very welcomed, almost at home.

Cynthia Yee (@cyn_yee19) and Gwen Liu (@gwen.liu) gave this film its heart. Without them, it could have taken a thousand different paths, none of which would have captured what struck me most in those first 12 hours in Chinatown: the warmth, the humor, and the weight of history that still lingers in subtle ways in the community.

While my experiences differ from many in the film, there was an unspoken connection, our shared Chinese heritage and the way we each navigate the world in our own unstructured ways. This film has given me new perspectives, unforgettable experiences, and, most importantly, friendships that have shown me the power of standing up for what you believe in, something I hope resonates with those who watch it.

This film was shot over the course of twenty days, across multiple trips to Boston. Most days were dedicated to simply exploring, never knowing where I would end up next. Behind every second of b roll in the film is a rich scene that could have been a short film of its own. I hope you feel the endless stories in this community. Sometimes all you have to do is look up.

Thank you to @breakwaterstudios for letting me tweak every detail over and over again, and giving me the space to explore. @samdavis @katya.richardson @rachgdub @itsnickwright @bgproudfoot @seanphiggins @sderlug @edouardfan @monisalazaro @lauracarlz @olivia_schlosstein @sorella_studios @spencercgoodall @felipelopezrey @keeofb

Watch LOVE, CHINATOWN now on the @wgbh Youtube channel.

-LD

LOVE, CHINATOWN

I first met Cynthia at 7 AM in a dim sum restaurant in Boston’s Chinatown, just 30 minutes after stepping off a redeye. I had no idea what the day would bring, only that I needed to convince a skeptical Cynthia to be part of our film (she thought I was some sort of “Harvey Weinstein Hollywood guy”).

I expected to meet Cynthia alone, but instead she showed up with her self-described “brigade” of community members seated around a table, ready to interrogate me about this film. Despite the confrontation, I somehow felt very welcomed, almost at home.

Cynthia Yee (@cyn_yee19) and Gwen Liu (@gwen.liu) gave this film its heart. Without them, it could have taken a thousand different paths, none of which would have captured what struck me most in those first 12 hours in Chinatown: the warmth, the humor, and the weight of history that still lingers in subtle ways in the community.

While my experiences differ from many in the film, there was an unspoken connection, our shared Chinese heritage and the way we each navigate the world in our own unstructured ways. This film has given me new perspectives, unforgettable experiences, and, most importantly, friendships that have shown me the power of standing up for what you believe in, something I hope resonates with those who watch it.

This film was shot over the course of twenty days, across multiple trips to Boston. Most days were dedicated to simply exploring, never knowing where I would end up next. Behind every second of b roll in the film is a rich scene that could have been a short film of its own. I hope you feel the endless stories in this community. Sometimes all you have to do is look up.

Thank you to @breakwaterstudios for letting me tweak every detail over and over again, and giving me the space to explore. @samdavis @katya.richardson @rachgdub @itsnickwright @bgproudfoot @seanphiggins @sderlug @edouardfan @monisalazaro @lauracarlz @olivia_schlosstein @sorella_studios @spencercgoodall @felipelopezrey @keeofb

Watch LOVE, CHINATOWN now on the @wgbh Youtube channel.

-LD

LOVE, CHINATOWN

I first met Cynthia at 7 AM in a dim sum restaurant in Boston’s Chinatown, just 30 minutes after stepping off a redeye. I had no idea what the day would bring, only that I needed to convince a skeptical Cynthia to be part of our film (she thought I was some sort of “Harvey Weinstein Hollywood guy”).

I expected to meet Cynthia alone, but instead she showed up with her self-described “brigade” of community members seated around a table, ready to interrogate me about this film. Despite the confrontation, I somehow felt very welcomed, almost at home.

Cynthia Yee (@cyn_yee19) and Gwen Liu (@gwen.liu) gave this film its heart. Without them, it could have taken a thousand different paths, none of which would have captured what struck me most in those first 12 hours in Chinatown: the warmth, the humor, and the weight of history that still lingers in subtle ways in the community.

While my experiences differ from many in the film, there was an unspoken connection, our shared Chinese heritage and the way we each navigate the world in our own unstructured ways. This film has given me new perspectives, unforgettable experiences, and, most importantly, friendships that have shown me the power of standing up for what you believe in, something I hope resonates with those who watch it.

This film was shot over the course of twenty days, across multiple trips to Boston. Most days were dedicated to simply exploring, never knowing where I would end up next. Behind every second of b roll in the film is a rich scene that could have been a short film of its own. I hope you feel the endless stories in this community. Sometimes all you have to do is look up.

Thank you to @breakwaterstudios for letting me tweak every detail over and over again, and giving me the space to explore. @samdavis @katya.richardson @rachgdub @itsnickwright @bgproudfoot @seanphiggins @sderlug @edouardfan @monisalazaro @lauracarlz @olivia_schlosstein @sorella_studios @spencercgoodall @felipelopezrey @keeofb

Watch LOVE, CHINATOWN now on the @wgbh Youtube channel.

-LD

LOVE, CHINATOWN

I first met Cynthia at 7 AM in a dim sum restaurant in Boston’s Chinatown, just 30 minutes after stepping off a redeye. I had no idea what the day would bring, only that I needed to convince a skeptical Cynthia to be part of our film (she thought I was some sort of “Harvey Weinstein Hollywood guy”).

I expected to meet Cynthia alone, but instead she showed up with her self-described “brigade” of community members seated around a table, ready to interrogate me about this film. Despite the confrontation, I somehow felt very welcomed, almost at home.

Cynthia Yee (@cyn_yee19) and Gwen Liu (@gwen.liu) gave this film its heart. Without them, it could have taken a thousand different paths, none of which would have captured what struck me most in those first 12 hours in Chinatown: the warmth, the humor, and the weight of history that still lingers in subtle ways in the community.

While my experiences differ from many in the film, there was an unspoken connection, our shared Chinese heritage and the way we each navigate the world in our own unstructured ways. This film has given me new perspectives, unforgettable experiences, and, most importantly, friendships that have shown me the power of standing up for what you believe in, something I hope resonates with those who watch it.

This film was shot over the course of twenty days, across multiple trips to Boston. Most days were dedicated to simply exploring, never knowing where I would end up next. Behind every second of b roll in the film is a rich scene that could have been a short film of its own. I hope you feel the endless stories in this community. Sometimes all you have to do is look up.

Thank you to @breakwaterstudios for letting me tweak every detail over and over again, and giving me the space to explore. @samdavis @katya.richardson @rachgdub @itsnickwright @bgproudfoot @seanphiggins @sderlug @edouardfan @monisalazaro @lauracarlz @olivia_schlosstein @sorella_studios @spencercgoodall @felipelopezrey @keeofb

Watch LOVE, CHINATOWN now on the @wgbh Youtube channel.

-LD

LOVE, CHINATOWN

I first met Cynthia at 7 AM in a dim sum restaurant in Boston’s Chinatown, just 30 minutes after stepping off a redeye. I had no idea what the day would bring, only that I needed to convince a skeptical Cynthia to be part of our film (she thought I was some sort of “Harvey Weinstein Hollywood guy”).

I expected to meet Cynthia alone, but instead she showed up with her self-described “brigade” of community members seated around a table, ready to interrogate me about this film. Despite the confrontation, I somehow felt very welcomed, almost at home.

Cynthia Yee (@cyn_yee19) and Gwen Liu (@gwen.liu) gave this film its heart. Without them, it could have taken a thousand different paths, none of which would have captured what struck me most in those first 12 hours in Chinatown: the warmth, the humor, and the weight of history that still lingers in subtle ways in the community.

While my experiences differ from many in the film, there was an unspoken connection, our shared Chinese heritage and the way we each navigate the world in our own unstructured ways. This film has given me new perspectives, unforgettable experiences, and, most importantly, friendships that have shown me the power of standing up for what you believe in, something I hope resonates with those who watch it.

This film was shot over the course of twenty days, across multiple trips to Boston. Most days were dedicated to simply exploring, never knowing where I would end up next. Behind every second of b roll in the film is a rich scene that could have been a short film of its own. I hope you feel the endless stories in this community. Sometimes all you have to do is look up.

Thank you to @breakwaterstudios for letting me tweak every detail over and over again, and giving me the space to explore. @samdavis @katya.richardson @rachgdub @itsnickwright @bgproudfoot @seanphiggins @sderlug @edouardfan @monisalazaro @lauracarlz @olivia_schlosstein @sorella_studios @spencercgoodall @felipelopezrey @keeofb

Watch LOVE, CHINATOWN now on the @wgbh Youtube channel.

-LD

LOVE, CHINATOWN

I first met Cynthia at 7 AM in a dim sum restaurant in Boston’s Chinatown, just 30 minutes after stepping off a redeye. I had no idea what the day would bring, only that I needed to convince a skeptical Cynthia to be part of our film (she thought I was some sort of “Harvey Weinstein Hollywood guy”).

I expected to meet Cynthia alone, but instead she showed up with her self-described “brigade” of community members seated around a table, ready to interrogate me about this film. Despite the confrontation, I somehow felt very welcomed, almost at home.

Cynthia Yee (@cyn_yee19) and Gwen Liu (@gwen.liu) gave this film its heart. Without them, it could have taken a thousand different paths, none of which would have captured what struck me most in those first 12 hours in Chinatown: the warmth, the humor, and the weight of history that still lingers in subtle ways in the community.

While my experiences differ from many in the film, there was an unspoken connection, our shared Chinese heritage and the way we each navigate the world in our own unstructured ways. This film has given me new perspectives, unforgettable experiences, and, most importantly, friendships that have shown me the power of standing up for what you believe in, something I hope resonates with those who watch it.

This film was shot over the course of twenty days, across multiple trips to Boston. Most days were dedicated to simply exploring, never knowing where I would end up next. Behind every second of b roll in the film is a rich scene that could have been a short film of its own. I hope you feel the endless stories in this community. Sometimes all you have to do is look up.

Thank you to @breakwaterstudios for letting me tweak every detail over and over again, and giving me the space to explore. @samdavis @katya.richardson @rachgdub @itsnickwright @bgproudfoot @seanphiggins @sderlug @edouardfan @monisalazaro @lauracarlz @olivia_schlosstein @sorella_studios @spencercgoodall @felipelopezrey @keeofb

Watch LOVE, CHINATOWN now on the @wgbh Youtube channel.

-LD

LOVE, CHINATOWN

I first met Cynthia at 7 AM in a dim sum restaurant in Boston’s Chinatown, just 30 minutes after stepping off a redeye. I had no idea what the day would bring, only that I needed to convince a skeptical Cynthia to be part of our film (she thought I was some sort of “Harvey Weinstein Hollywood guy”).

I expected to meet Cynthia alone, but instead she showed up with her self-described “brigade” of community members seated around a table, ready to interrogate me about this film. Despite the confrontation, I somehow felt very welcomed, almost at home.

Cynthia Yee (@cyn_yee19) and Gwen Liu (@gwen.liu) gave this film its heart. Without them, it could have taken a thousand different paths, none of which would have captured what struck me most in those first 12 hours in Chinatown: the warmth, the humor, and the weight of history that still lingers in subtle ways in the community.

While my experiences differ from many in the film, there was an unspoken connection, our shared Chinese heritage and the way we each navigate the world in our own unstructured ways. This film has given me new perspectives, unforgettable experiences, and, most importantly, friendships that have shown me the power of standing up for what you believe in, something I hope resonates with those who watch it.

This film was shot over the course of twenty days, across multiple trips to Boston. Most days were dedicated to simply exploring, never knowing where I would end up next. Behind every second of b roll in the film is a rich scene that could have been a short film of its own. I hope you feel the endless stories in this community. Sometimes all you have to do is look up.

Thank you to @breakwaterstudios for letting me tweak every detail over and over again, and giving me the space to explore. @samdavis @katya.richardson @rachgdub @itsnickwright @bgproudfoot @seanphiggins @sderlug @edouardfan @monisalazaro @lauracarlz @olivia_schlosstein @sorella_studios @spencercgoodall @felipelopezrey @keeofb

Watch LOVE, CHINATOWN now on the @wgbh Youtube channel.

-LD

LOVE, CHINATOWN

I first met Cynthia at 7 AM in a dim sum restaurant in Boston’s Chinatown, just 30 minutes after stepping off a redeye. I had no idea what the day would bring, only that I needed to convince a skeptical Cynthia to be part of our film (she thought I was some sort of “Harvey Weinstein Hollywood guy”).

I expected to meet Cynthia alone, but instead she showed up with her self-described “brigade” of community members seated around a table, ready to interrogate me about this film. Despite the confrontation, I somehow felt very welcomed, almost at home.

Cynthia Yee (@cyn_yee19) and Gwen Liu (@gwen.liu) gave this film its heart. Without them, it could have taken a thousand different paths, none of which would have captured what struck me most in those first 12 hours in Chinatown: the warmth, the humor, and the weight of history that still lingers in subtle ways in the community.

While my experiences differ from many in the film, there was an unspoken connection, our shared Chinese heritage and the way we each navigate the world in our own unstructured ways. This film has given me new perspectives, unforgettable experiences, and, most importantly, friendships that have shown me the power of standing up for what you believe in, something I hope resonates with those who watch it.

This film was shot over the course of twenty days, across multiple trips to Boston. Most days were dedicated to simply exploring, never knowing where I would end up next. Behind every second of b roll in the film is a rich scene that could have been a short film of its own. I hope you feel the endless stories in this community. Sometimes all you have to do is look up.

Thank you to @breakwaterstudios for letting me tweak every detail over and over again, and giving me the space to explore. @samdavis @katya.richardson @rachgdub @itsnickwright @bgproudfoot @seanphiggins @sderlug @edouardfan @monisalazaro @lauracarlz @olivia_schlosstein @sorella_studios @spencercgoodall @felipelopezrey @keeofb

Watch LOVE, CHINATOWN now on the @wgbh Youtube channel.

-LD

LOVE, CHINATOWN

I first met Cynthia at 7 AM in a dim sum restaurant in Boston’s Chinatown, just 30 minutes after stepping off a redeye. I had no idea what the day would bring, only that I needed to convince a skeptical Cynthia to be part of our film (she thought I was some sort of “Harvey Weinstein Hollywood guy”).

I expected to meet Cynthia alone, but instead she showed up with her self-described “brigade” of community members seated around a table, ready to interrogate me about this film. Despite the confrontation, I somehow felt very welcomed, almost at home.

Cynthia Yee (@cyn_yee19) and Gwen Liu (@gwen.liu) gave this film its heart. Without them, it could have taken a thousand different paths, none of which would have captured what struck me most in those first 12 hours in Chinatown: the warmth, the humor, and the weight of history that still lingers in subtle ways in the community.

While my experiences differ from many in the film, there was an unspoken connection, our shared Chinese heritage and the way we each navigate the world in our own unstructured ways. This film has given me new perspectives, unforgettable experiences, and, most importantly, friendships that have shown me the power of standing up for what you believe in, something I hope resonates with those who watch it.

This film was shot over the course of twenty days, across multiple trips to Boston. Most days were dedicated to simply exploring, never knowing where I would end up next. Behind every second of b roll in the film is a rich scene that could have been a short film of its own. I hope you feel the endless stories in this community. Sometimes all you have to do is look up.

Thank you to @breakwaterstudios for letting me tweak every detail over and over again, and giving me the space to explore. @samdavis @katya.richardson @rachgdub @itsnickwright @bgproudfoot @seanphiggins @sderlug @edouardfan @monisalazaro @lauracarlz @olivia_schlosstein @sorella_studios @spencercgoodall @felipelopezrey @keeofb

Watch LOVE, CHINATOWN now on the @wgbh Youtube channel.

-LD

LOVE, CHINATOWN

I first met Cynthia at 7 AM in a dim sum restaurant in Boston’s Chinatown, just 30 minutes after stepping off a redeye. I had no idea what the day would bring, only that I needed to convince a skeptical Cynthia to be part of our film (she thought I was some sort of “Harvey Weinstein Hollywood guy”).

I expected to meet Cynthia alone, but instead she showed up with her self-described “brigade” of community members seated around a table, ready to interrogate me about this film. Despite the confrontation, I somehow felt very welcomed, almost at home.

Cynthia Yee (@cyn_yee19) and Gwen Liu (@gwen.liu) gave this film its heart. Without them, it could have taken a thousand different paths, none of which would have captured what struck me most in those first 12 hours in Chinatown: the warmth, the humor, and the weight of history that still lingers in subtle ways in the community.

While my experiences differ from many in the film, there was an unspoken connection, our shared Chinese heritage and the way we each navigate the world in our own unstructured ways. This film has given me new perspectives, unforgettable experiences, and, most importantly, friendships that have shown me the power of standing up for what you believe in, something I hope resonates with those who watch it.

This film was shot over the course of twenty days, across multiple trips to Boston. Most days were dedicated to simply exploring, never knowing where I would end up next. Behind every second of b roll in the film is a rich scene that could have been a short film of its own. I hope you feel the endless stories in this community. Sometimes all you have to do is look up.

Thank you to @breakwaterstudios for letting me tweak every detail over and over again, and giving me the space to explore. @samdavis @katya.richardson @rachgdub @itsnickwright @bgproudfoot @seanphiggins @sderlug @edouardfan @monisalazaro @lauracarlz @olivia_schlosstein @sorella_studios @spencercgoodall @felipelopezrey @keeofb

Watch LOVE, CHINATOWN now on the @wgbh Youtube channel.

-LD

LOVE, CHINATOWN

I first met Cynthia at 7 AM in a dim sum restaurant in Boston’s Chinatown, just 30 minutes after stepping off a redeye. I had no idea what the day would bring, only that I needed to convince a skeptical Cynthia to be part of our film (she thought I was some sort of “Harvey Weinstein Hollywood guy”).

I expected to meet Cynthia alone, but instead she showed up with her self-described “brigade” of community members seated around a table, ready to interrogate me about this film. Despite the confrontation, I somehow felt very welcomed, almost at home.

Cynthia Yee (@cyn_yee19) and Gwen Liu (@gwen.liu) gave this film its heart. Without them, it could have taken a thousand different paths, none of which would have captured what struck me most in those first 12 hours in Chinatown: the warmth, the humor, and the weight of history that still lingers in subtle ways in the community.

While my experiences differ from many in the film, there was an unspoken connection, our shared Chinese heritage and the way we each navigate the world in our own unstructured ways. This film has given me new perspectives, unforgettable experiences, and, most importantly, friendships that have shown me the power of standing up for what you believe in, something I hope resonates with those who watch it.

This film was shot over the course of twenty days, across multiple trips to Boston. Most days were dedicated to simply exploring, never knowing where I would end up next. Behind every second of b roll in the film is a rich scene that could have been a short film of its own. I hope you feel the endless stories in this community. Sometimes all you have to do is look up.

Thank you to @breakwaterstudios for letting me tweak every detail over and over again, and giving me the space to explore. @samdavis @katya.richardson @rachgdub @itsnickwright @bgproudfoot @seanphiggins @sderlug @edouardfan @monisalazaro @lauracarlz @olivia_schlosstein @sorella_studios @spencercgoodall @felipelopezrey @keeofb

Watch LOVE, CHINATOWN now on the @wgbh Youtube channel.

-LD

LOVE, CHINATOWN

I first met Cynthia at 7 AM in a dim sum restaurant in Boston’s Chinatown, just 30 minutes after stepping off a redeye. I had no idea what the day would bring, only that I needed to convince a skeptical Cynthia to be part of our film (she thought I was some sort of “Harvey Weinstein Hollywood guy”).

I expected to meet Cynthia alone, but instead she showed up with her self-described “brigade” of community members seated around a table, ready to interrogate me about this film. Despite the confrontation, I somehow felt very welcomed, almost at home.

Cynthia Yee (@cyn_yee19) and Gwen Liu (@gwen.liu) gave this film its heart. Without them, it could have taken a thousand different paths, none of which would have captured what struck me most in those first 12 hours in Chinatown: the warmth, the humor, and the weight of history that still lingers in subtle ways in the community.

While my experiences differ from many in the film, there was an unspoken connection, our shared Chinese heritage and the way we each navigate the world in our own unstructured ways. This film has given me new perspectives, unforgettable experiences, and, most importantly, friendships that have shown me the power of standing up for what you believe in, something I hope resonates with those who watch it.

This film was shot over the course of twenty days, across multiple trips to Boston. Most days were dedicated to simply exploring, never knowing where I would end up next. Behind every second of b roll in the film is a rich scene that could have been a short film of its own. I hope you feel the endless stories in this community. Sometimes all you have to do is look up.

Thank you to @breakwaterstudios for letting me tweak every detail over and over again, and giving me the space to explore. @samdavis @katya.richardson @rachgdub @itsnickwright @bgproudfoot @seanphiggins @sderlug @edouardfan @monisalazaro @lauracarlz @olivia_schlosstein @sorella_studios @spencercgoodall @felipelopezrey @keeofb

Watch LOVE, CHINATOWN now on the @wgbh Youtube channel.

-LD

LOVE, CHINATOWN

I first met Cynthia at 7 AM in a dim sum restaurant in Boston’s Chinatown, just 30 minutes after stepping off a redeye. I had no idea what the day would bring, only that I needed to convince a skeptical Cynthia to be part of our film (she thought I was some sort of “Harvey Weinstein Hollywood guy”).

I expected to meet Cynthia alone, but instead she showed up with her self-described “brigade” of community members seated around a table, ready to interrogate me about this film. Despite the confrontation, I somehow felt very welcomed, almost at home.

Cynthia Yee (@cyn_yee19) and Gwen Liu (@gwen.liu) gave this film its heart. Without them, it could have taken a thousand different paths, none of which would have captured what struck me most in those first 12 hours in Chinatown: the warmth, the humor, and the weight of history that still lingers in subtle ways in the community.

While my experiences differ from many in the film, there was an unspoken connection, our shared Chinese heritage and the way we each navigate the world in our own unstructured ways. This film has given me new perspectives, unforgettable experiences, and, most importantly, friendships that have shown me the power of standing up for what you believe in, something I hope resonates with those who watch it.

This film was shot over the course of twenty days, across multiple trips to Boston. Most days were dedicated to simply exploring, never knowing where I would end up next. Behind every second of b roll in the film is a rich scene that could have been a short film of its own. I hope you feel the endless stories in this community. Sometimes all you have to do is look up.

Thank you to @breakwaterstudios for letting me tweak every detail over and over again, and giving me the space to explore. @samdavis @katya.richardson @rachgdub @itsnickwright @bgproudfoot @seanphiggins @sderlug @edouardfan @monisalazaro @lauracarlz @olivia_schlosstein @sorella_studios @spencercgoodall @felipelopezrey @keeofb

Watch LOVE, CHINATOWN now on the @wgbh Youtube channel.

-LD

A huge congratulations to director @loookahs, our incredible storytellers, and the entire team whose vision and hard work brought this beautiful, heartfelt film to life. Following our Boston premiere at @bostonaafilm, we are ecstatic to announce LOVE, CHINATOWN has won three Silver Telly Awards and will debut on @wgbh tonight!

A huge congratulations to director @loookahs, our incredible storytellers, and the entire team whose vision and hard work brought this beautiful, heartfelt film to life. Following our Boston premiere at @bostonaafilm, we are ecstatic to announce LOVE, CHINATOWN has won three Silver Telly Awards and will debut on @wgbh tonight!

A huge congratulations to director @loookahs, our incredible storytellers, and the entire team whose vision and hard work brought this beautiful, heartfelt film to life. Following our Boston premiere at @bostonaafilm, we are ecstatic to announce LOVE, CHINATOWN has won three Silver Telly Awards and will debut on @wgbh tonight!

A huge congratulations to director @loookahs, our incredible storytellers, and the entire team whose vision and hard work brought this beautiful, heartfelt film to life. Following our Boston premiere at @bostonaafilm, we are ecstatic to announce LOVE, CHINATOWN has won three Silver Telly Awards and will debut on @wgbh tonight!

“It’s the kind of experience that makes you become an activist even if you didn’t plan to be one, because the injustices were so obvious that you could not go home and say, ‘I’m not going to do anything about it.’”

For more than half a century, Cynthia Yee (@Cyn_yee19) has fiercely defended and fought for Boston’s Chinatown so that the historic neighborhood she loves can continue to grow and thrive. In “LOVE, CHINATOWN,” Cynthia and college student Gwen Liu (@gwen.liu) present the neighborhood’s journey as a testament to community, adaptability, and telling one’s own story.

The short documentary from @breakwaterstudios is now streaming on our GBH YouTube channel! Link in bio.
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#Chinatown #Boston #activism #history #AsianAmerican #film #ShortDocumentary

We’re thrilled to share the trailer for LOVE, CHINATOWN, premiering this week at the Boston Asian American Film Festival! More than just a love letter to a neighborhood, this film is a moving reminder of resilience, community, and what it truly means to be a good neighbor. We hope to see you at our two sold-out screenings this weekend!

More exciting news: following the premiere, in November, LOVE, CHINATOWN will be released on YouTube as part of GBH’s Local Lens series on Nov 13th. Whether you join us in person in Boston or online, don’t miss the chance to celebrate the stories that keep our communities alive.

FEATURING @Cyn_yee19 and @gwen.liu
DIRECTED BY @loookahs
PRODUCED BY @rachgdub & @itsnickwright
EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS @bgproudfoot & @kirstin_falk
EDITED BY @loookahs
CINEMATOGRAPHER @samdavis
SOUND SUPERVISOR & RE-RECORDING MIXER Sean Higgins
COLOR BY @sderlug
ORIGINAL SCORE BY @katya.richardson

Learn more at https://www.125lincolnboston.com/#story

Mountain meditation

We’re proud to share that our new film LOVE, CHINATOWN directed by @loookahs will premiere on opening night at @bostonaafilm this fall, followed by a Q&A with the filmmaking team, including storytellers @cyn_yee19 and @gwen.liu. We couldn't be more excited to debut the film at BAAFF, a festival whose mission so deeply resonates with the story.

FEATURING @Cyn_yee19 and @gwen.liu
DIRECTED BY @loookahs
PRODUCED BY @rachgdub & @itsnickwright
EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS @bgproudfoot & @kirstin_falk
EDITED BY @loookahs
CINEMATOGRAPHER @samdavis
SOUND SUPERVISOR & RE-RECORDING MIXER Sean Higgins
COLOR BY @sderlug
ORIGINAL SCORE BY @katya.richardson