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A Mourning in Chinatown

"A Mourning in Chinatown" is a deeply moving documentary that chronicles the memories of a seasoned African American Chinatown native as he reflects on the vibrant days of his youth in Washington D.C.'s historic Chinatown. Through his eyes, the film explores the profound personal and cultural loss caused by gentrification, focusing on the eviction of his mentor and teacher, a revered Cifu who embodied the spirit of the community. As the neighborhood transforms, his reminiscences weave together stories of resilience, identity, and the unyielding bonds of mentorship, offering a heartfelt elegy for a vanishing cultural heritage.

  • Ali A Ali
    Director
  • Sojin Kim
    Producer
  • Terrence Nicolson
    Key Cast
  • Ali Ali
    Camera
  • Trinity Le
    Camera
  • Albert Tong
    Camera
  • Charlie Weber
    Camera
  • Ali Ali
    Editor
  • Kevin Vu
    Editor
  • Project Type:
    Documentary, Student
  • Runtime:
    10 minutes 43 seconds
  • Country of Filming:
    United States, United States
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    Yes - George Mason University
Director Biography - Ali A Ali

Ali Ali is a promising Director and Videographer. His passion for filmmaking has driven him to direct his own short films and documentaries, alongside crafting numerous short stories and scripts. Ali honed his documentary skills through esteemed work with the Smithsonian Institution, aiming to preserve stories and share diverse cultures with the world. Inspired by the French New Wave, cinema verite, and direct cinema documentary filmmaking, Ali focuses on character-driven narratives, particularly those of underprivileged peoples, showcasing his keen eye for detail and storytelling prowess.

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Director Statement

"A Mourning in Chinatown" is a film born from the urgency to highlight the often-overlooked struggles of a community grappling with the relentless forces of gentrification. As a director, I am passionate about amplifying underrepresented voices and exposing societal injustices.

Chinatown, with its rich cultural heritage, embodies the broader challenges of displacement, cultural erasure, and economic inequality that urban communities face worldwide. This film seeks to move beyond statistics, offering a deeply human perspective on the lives impacted by these forces.

"A Mourning in Chinatown" is not just a documentation of loss—it’s a call to action. By showcasing the resilience and unity of the Chinatown community, I hope to spark dialogue, foster empathy, and inspire meaningful change. This is a story that needs to be told, now more than ever.