Synopsis

The 92-year-old previous nightclub dancer Coby Yee decides to get back on stage again after joining the senior dance troupe Grant Avenue Follies. Together they go on a tour for the last time, bridging once isolated Chinese communities in the US, Cuba and China.

Curators’ note

Whatever happens as we age, we’re still dancing! The long-cherished vitality that transcends age comes to life in Chinatown Cha-cha. As a group of senior Chinese dancers embarks on a tour, their life stories slowly unfold. The film touches on the history of Chinese immigration, the spectacularization of nightclub dancers, and the gaze upon women through the years. Yet, amid these interwoven themes, it is the vibrant energy of these senior ladies that resonates with everyone, both on and off the screen. Their dancing is never just on the stage, but in every moment of their flourishing lives.（Wenqi Zhang)

Director’s bio

Luka Yuanyuan Yang is a visual artist and filmmaker who weaves documentary and archival materials into diverse mediums like film, photography, artist books, installations, and performances. Her work has been featured in The New Yorker, as well as the New Orleans Film Festival, Atlanta Film Festival, Camden International Film Festival, Asian American International Film Festival, and Women Make Waves.

Director‘s statement

Since 2018, I have been researching and filming projects about Asian American women in show business, creating four short films and compiling historical archives dating back to the 1940s. In September 2019, the short film Coby and Stephen Are in Love was completed and received acclaim after screenings in the United States, China, and Germany.

My first feature documentary, Chinatown Cha-Cha （2024）, tells the story of an elderly Chinese American dance troupe. I hope to reaffirm the connection between two communities and build bridges across borders, generations, and cultures. On August 14, 2020, 93-year-old Coby passed away due to illness. In the final week of her life, she continued to dance. I hope this film ensures that she and this remarkable group of women are remembered by history.

Festival & Awards

2024

8th Pingyao IFF “Hidden Dragon Competition” section, China, 2024 Sept. 24-30 – World Premiere

44th Hawaii IFF, USA, 2024 Oct. 2-13 – International Premiere

Casts

Coby Yee, Grant Avenue Follies, Stephen King

Credits

Executive Producer: Guo Keyu

Cinematographer: Carlo Nasisse, Luka Yuanyuan Yang

Editor: Qianni Tang

Sound: Xiaodan Li

Music: Daiguo Li

Animation: Strongman