THE LOST ARCADE is an intimate story of a once-ubiquitous cultural
phenomenon on the edge of extinction, especially in New York City, which
once had video arcades by the dozen. These arcades were as much social
hubs to meet up and hang out as they were public arenas for gamers to
demonstrate their skills. But by 2011, only a handful remained, most of
them corporate affairs, leaving the legendary Chinatown Fair on Mott
Street as the last hold-out of old-school arcade culture. Opened in the
early 1940’s, Chinatown Fair, famous for its dancing and tic-tac-toe
playing chickens, survived turf wars between rival gangs, increases in
rent, and the rise of the home gaming system to become an institution
and haven for kids from all five boroughs. A documentary portrait of the
Chinatown Fair and its denizens, THE LOST ARCADE is a eulogy for, and a
celebration of, the arcade gaming community. Written and produced by
Irene Chin and directed by Kurt Vincent.