Chasing Light - documenting Manhattan's Chinatown

[Archiver]

I assume that many of you fine gents are familiar with the YouTube channel Nowness, which posts many documentaries about arts and culture, including photography. Just the other day, I came across this short film which follows the story of Wellington Chen, who photographically documents the Chinatown of Manhattan. He's using what looks like a Leica CL with Summilux 35 TL. I love this sort of documentary.

A photographic tour of Manhattan’s Chinatown, following its evolution as the community shrinks

The shape of Manhattan’s Chinatown is changing. Its tourism industry in a state of decline as businesses shutter and unemployment soars, what was once a thri...

www.youtube.com

 

[Ko.Fe.]

I remember how in mid nineties we had long connection in NY and went to see it outside. For first time.
We started with Brighton Beach due to our origin.
And after it we went on subway to get closer to the center.
I remember how many were reading newspapers or else in Russian.
For many stops. And after it chained to public reading in Chinese, I assumed.
The ride was so long, we went out.
And ... it was very self-sustaining part of Chinatown. Busy with Chinese and busy sidewalks with some setups for shops. I remember this one by not so pleasant smell. To be honest, no desire to come back. I liked one in SF.

I have been in several Chinatowns.
They had some facade, with some visitors, the rest looked empty, with upper floors abandoned.

... after Chinatown we entered into some weird looking street with some Italian stores. Everything was closed and it was the same in all stores.
Something to do with restaurants machines. It was dead empty area.

They say it was a lot of visitors from Canada to USA.
But many are pissed of by MAGA or afraid to enter due to some complications they might face as new Canadians.

NYC was one of the popular destinations.
I drove once with our daughters.
Good experience.