Another review that was sent to me:
Variety
Posted: Thurs., Jul. 11, 2002, 5:46pm PT
Shaolin Ulysses: Kungfu Monks in America
(Docu)
A Lotus Film production in association with the Independent Television
Service. Produced, directed by Mei-Juin Chen, Martha Burr. Screenplay, Burr.
With: Shi Guolin, Li Peng Zhang, Shi Xing Hao, Shi De Shan, Shi Xing Hong.
Narrator: Beau Bridges.
By SCOTT FOUNDAS
Mei-Juin Chen and Martha Burr's "Shaolin Ulysses" is a brisk portrait
of five "kungfu monks" attempting, by various methods, to transfer the teachings of
China's famed Shaolin Temple to American soil. Peppered with delightful archival
footage from decades-old informational films produced about the temple, with
onscreen demonstrations of such hair-raising martial arts techniques as "iron
stomach" and "iron crotch" (just what it sounds like), pic is bound to entertain
festival audiences far and wide with long ancillary life to follow.
Based in such disparate American outposts as New York City, Houston
and Las Vegas, Chen and Burr's subjects are united in their wide-eyed infatuation
with America, and there's a raucous innocence to that love affair that makes "Shaolin
Ulysses" instantly charming. A highlight is the story of ex-monk Li Peng Zhang and his
very Catholic wife, who live happily in New York and proudly proclaim their son will be
raised "half-Catholic, half-Buddhist." Chen and Burr put the emphasis on character -- in less than an hour, we feel like we really get to know these monks -- but there's still
enough high-flying, high-kicking action to keep genre fans happy.
Camera (color, digital video), Teodoro Maniaci; editor, Mei-Juin Chen;
music, John Zorn. Reviewed at Los Angeles Film Festival (competing), June 26, 2002. Mandarin and English dialogue. Running time: 56 MIN.
Variety
Posted: Thurs., Jul. 11, 2002, 5:46pm PT
Shaolin Ulysses: Kungfu Monks in America
(Docu)
A Lotus Film production in association with the Independent Television
Service. Produced, directed by Mei-Juin Chen, Martha Burr. Screenplay, Burr.
With: Shi Guolin, Li Peng Zhang, Shi Xing Hao, Shi De Shan, Shi Xing Hong.
Narrator: Beau Bridges.
By SCOTT FOUNDAS
Mei-Juin Chen and Martha Burr's "Shaolin Ulysses" is a brisk portrait
of five "kungfu monks" attempting, by various methods, to transfer the teachings of
China's famed Shaolin Temple to American soil. Peppered with delightful archival
footage from decades-old informational films produced about the temple, with
onscreen demonstrations of such hair-raising martial arts techniques as "iron
stomach" and "iron crotch" (just what it sounds like), pic is bound to entertain
festival audiences far and wide with long ancillary life to follow.
Based in such disparate American outposts as New York City, Houston
and Las Vegas, Chen and Burr's subjects are united in their wide-eyed infatuation
with America, and there's a raucous innocence to that love affair that makes "Shaolin
Ulysses" instantly charming. A highlight is the story of ex-monk Li Peng Zhang and his
very Catholic wife, who live happily in New York and proudly proclaim their son will be
raised "half-Catholic, half-Buddhist." Chen and Burr put the emphasis on character -- in less than an hour, we feel like we really get to know these monks -- but there's still
enough high-flying, high-kicking action to keep genre fans happy.
Camera (color, digital video), Teodoro Maniaci; editor, Mei-Juin Chen;
music, John Zorn. Reviewed at Los Angeles Film Festival (competing), June 26, 2002. Mandarin and English dialogue. Running time: 56 MIN.
Comment