Director Luka Yuanyuan Yang's debut feature, Chinatown Cha-Cha, will be having its European Premiere at the 2025 (3rd) MINT Chinese Film Festival. This heartwarming documentary follows the senior dance troupe Grant Avenue Follies as they embark on a journey to keep their cultural heritage alive. The film journeys with the troupe as they tour across the US, Cuba, and China, bridging once isolated Chinese communities while celebrating an art form that is slowly fading. 

Chinatown Cha-Cha shines a spotlight on Grant Avenue Follies, a vibrant group of Asian seniors, dancers and performers whose agility defies their years. Their vibrant personalities fill the screen and from the moment they appear, they are impossible not to love. As someone who adores senior protagonists and the warmth of grandmotherly figures—rarely seen as central characters in film—seeing them take center stage is both refreshing and deeply satisfying. Watching them thrive on screen is a reminder that age is no barrier to charisma, passion, or resilience. 

The film opens with a nostalgic touch, using archival footage to transport viewers to a bygone era. It sheds light on the long history of misrepresentation in Hollywood, where Chinese characters were often played by white actors in yellowface while Chinese performers were relegated to stereotypical roles. The opening sequence features a 1940s film reel showcasing dancers from San Francisco’s Chinatown, a once-thriving tourist destination where Chinese nightclubs were among the city’s top attractions. But as the cultural landscape has shifted over the decades, the question lingers: where have all the showgirls gone?

At the heart of Chinatown Cha-Cha is 92-year-old former nightclub dancer Coby Yee, an iconic performer whose radiant energy and unwavering spirit anchor the film. Known as the Dragon Lady, Coby began her dancing career in the 1940s. Together with Grant Avenue Follies, she decides to get back on stage again and goes on a tour for one last time performing Chinese opera, in hopes to revive the dying craft and inspire future generations. 

Coby’s contagious smile and her ageless agility makes her an admirable and endearing character. The playful interactions between Coby’s husband, Stephen, and the camaraderie within the troupe add humour and authenticity, making them an absolute joy to watch. Moments of Stephen carefully collecting and cutting out images of Coby’s past performances to create his own posters poignantly encapsulate the theme of time slipping away. These scenes beautifully reflect the unpredictability of life and the universal fear of death and being forgotten. Yet, despite the passage of time, the troupe’s unwavering passion breathes life into the film. Their dedication not only preserves their art form but also embodies a timeless yearning for youth—a refusal to let age define their spirit, their craft, or their love for life itself.

The film’s treatment is a blend of cinéma vérité, archival footage, and animation, effectively bridging the past with the present and highlighting the historical significance of the troupe’s journey. While these elements add depth, the film’s pacing at times feels uneven, and its cinematography occasionally lacks a clear sense of direction. Unlike a tightly structured narrative, the documentary unfolds as a series of recollections—scattered memories woven together to capture a dying art form and the lives of those striving to keep it alive.

Ultimately, Chinatown Cha-Cha is a love letter to its subjects and the culture they fight to preserve. Their admirable bond offers a window into Chinatown’s rich heritage, allowing audiences to appreciate the cultural legacy they are striving to preserve. While it may lack a strong narrative drive, its sincerity and warmth make it an inspiring watch, especially for those who believe in the power of community and embracing every stage of life with grace. It’s a film that will undoubtedly encourage other seniors to keep dancing, both literally and figuratively.