What lies ahead for Toronto’s Chinatowns? Chinatown 2050 attempts to answer this through a collection of speculative fiction stories written by Chinatown youth. This anthology, accompanied by a short documentary film, collectively reimagines Chinatown to bring about a more generative and expansive future, confronting the urgent need to ensure Toronto’s Chinatown remains an affordable, safe and culturally meaningful home for all. The young authors will explore the future of their community in conversation with the Toronto Community Land Trust.
Chinatown 2050 | directors: Linda Zhang, Maxim Gertler-Jaffe | 2022 | Canada, United Kingdom | 18 min
Five stories were visually adapted using 3D scans of Toronto's Chinatowns to create immersive experiences where authors share their dreams, hopes and fears for Chinatown. In these interconnected future worlds, we encounter a Chinatown that cannot be contained, a home that is always changing and challenging us to be more expansive and inclusive in our shared vision of the future. This Toronto premiere reminds us that ‘Chinatown’ is not just a place but a lived experience, a community’s way of life, and an act of resistance.
Screening with Chinese subtitles.
Reimagining Chinatown Book Reading | editor: Linda Zhang | 2023 | Canada | 15 min
Written during the COVID-19 lockdown in early 2020, each story written by Chinatown youth delves into a personal relationship to Chinatown amidst rising anti-Asian sentiment and growing uncertainty for Chinatown’s future. By speculating on the year 2050, their stories offer a visionary act of resistance, uncovering new possible futures and shedding light on untold pasts.
With live readings by Helen Ngo, Michael Chong and Amy Yan. There will be a book signing following the talk.
The book readings and panel will be multilingual (English, Cantonese and Mandarin).
For more information
Featuring special guests:
- Amy Yan, Chinatown 2050 author
- Michael Chong, Chinatown 2050 author
- Helen Ngo, Chinatown 2050 author
- Chiyi Tam, Toronto Chinatown Land Trust
- Linda Zhang, Chinatown 2050 editor, Toronto Chinatown Land Trust
Tickets: $15 (Members from $10)
We would like to acknowledge funding support from the Ontario Arts Council and the Government of Ontario for their support. Special thanks to workshop facilitators Linda Zhang, Tyler Fox, Maxim Gertler-Jaffe, Biko Mandela Gray, Erica Kim, Morris Lum, Philipp Poon, Howard Tam, Lexi Tsien, Shellie Zhang and the Myseum of Toronto team.
Presented in partnership with Toronto Chinatown Land Trust (TCLT) and Mawenzi House Publishers.
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