Shaolin Ulysses: Kungfu Monks in America (2003)

Traces the journey of five kung fu monks in search of the American dream. Hailing from China's legendary Shaolin Temple... See full synopsis »

Directors:

Martha Burr, Mei-Juin Chen

Writers:

Martha Burr, Michael Cho (additional material)

Stars:

Guolin Shi, Peng Zhang Li, Xing Hao Shi

Cast

Credited cast:
Guolin Shi	...	Himself
Peng Zhang Li	...	Himself (as Lipeng Zhang)
Xing Hao Shi	...	Himself
De Shan Shi	...	Himself
Xing Hong Shi	...	Himself
Beau Bridges	...	Narrator (voice)
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
David Ashburn	...	Himself
Jamel Brown	...	Himself
Adam Cempa	...	Himself
Dawn Dubois	...	Herself
Richard Russell	...	Himself
Julie Zhang	...	Herself

Storyline

Traces the journey of five kung fu monks in search of the American dream. Hailing from China's legendary Shaolin Temple... See full synopsis »

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Genres:

Documentary

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Details

Official Sites:

PBS [us]

Country:

USA

Language:

English Mandarin

Release Date:

2003 (USA)

Filming Locations:

Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Independent Television Service (ITVS), Lotus Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

56 min

Color:

Color

User Reviews

Interesting Documentary for Kung Fu fans!!!!

Shaolin Ulysses: Kung Fu Monks in America is a wonderful low budget documentary about several Shaolin Monks who have immigrated to America to spread Buddhism and martial arts in the west.

Full of great martial arts demonstrations as well as interviews with the monks and their students. While the monks were interesting, the only downside to the film was the choice of Americans they interviewed. One of the monks' younger students seemed more interested in being on television than learning kung fu. The other, a rich Las Vegas doctor (could he be a plastic surgeon???) seems to care more about chicks and cars than the Buddhist mentality he seems to admire.

Other than that we gain a terrific insight into the lives of the monks as they establish temples across the states.

Most of it looks like it was shot on digital, but it's filmed well enough that it's pleasing to watch. Also the extras on the DVD provide plenty of viewing after the movie is done with several demonstrations of different martial arts styles, some quigong and some interesting footage from the Shaolin Festival.

I checked this out because i'm a huge fan of KF films and have enjoyed other documentaries about the subject such as "This Is Kung Fu" etc...

My only other complaint is that it was too short! It's only 50 odd minutes long, probably because it was originally filmed for TV or something. Check it out!!