The 武林 of San Francisco Chinatown

In the heart of modern urban Chinatown—where neon signs sit above boba shops and new development rises around century-old temples—a martial tradition continues to be practiced and passed on.
Behind unmarked doors and above narrow stairwells, Gung Fu is still taught in small, dedicated spaces. These are not public performances, but ongoing training relationships rooted in discipline, respect, and transmission.
As the city evolves, these schools exist within a shifting cultural landscape shaped by gentrification, assimilation, and modern distractions. Yet the practice continues—not as spectacle, but as a living tradition carried forward by teachers and students.
The film explores how Gung Fu has been preserved through close teacher-student relationships and long-standing lineages. It looks at the spaces where it is still taught, and the values that continue to be passed on: discipline, respect, perseverance, and balance.