Shaolin Ulysses - Kungfu Monks in America

Editorial Review:
Amazon.com
The whirling kicks and swift punches of Shaolin kung fu have been used to dazzling, choreographic effect in hundreds of Hong Kong action movies. The fascinating documentary Shaolin Ulysses: Kung Fu Monks in America looks at some real-world practitioners, monks who have chosen to bring kung fu and Zen Buddhism to America. The resulting juxtapositions are surreal. As a monk and his American disciple are interviewed in a Las Vegas Hooter's, the disciple throws an arm around one of the busty waitresses and declares this to be his temple; the monk looks on quizzically. Another monk has married a Catholic woman from Brooklyn; another talks about trading martial arts classes for guitar lessons on a Lollapalooza tour; another teaches kung fu to stocky police officers in Houston, Texas. These culture clashes are constantly surprising, but the monks' devotion to their craft is even more deeply engaging. --Bret Fetzer
Average customer rating: |
Shaolin Ulysses - Kungfu Monks in America
Starring: Beau Bridges Director: Martha Burr , and Mei-Juin Chen Manufacturer: New Video Group ProductGroup: DVD Binding: DVD Similar Items:
ASIN: B0002235H6 Release Date: 2004-06-29 |
Amazon.com
The whirling kicks and swift punches of Shaolin kung fu have been used to dazzling, choreographic effect in hundreds of Hong Kong action movies. The fascinating documentary Shaolin Ulysses: Kung Fu Monks in America looks at some real-world practitioners, monks who have chosen to bring kung fu and Zen Buddhism to America. The resulting juxtapositions are surreal. As a monk and his American disciple are interviewed in a Las Vegas Hooter's, the disciple throws an arm around one of the busty waitresses and declares this to be his temple; the monk looks on quizzically. Another monk has married a Catholic woman from Brooklyn; another talks about trading martial arts classes for guitar lessons on a Lollapalooza tour; another teaches kung fu to stocky police officers in Houston, Texas. These culture clashes are constantly surprising, but the monks' devotion to their craft is even more deeply engaging. --Bret FetzerDVD:
DVD
Benny Hill's World Tour: New York [1994] (REGION 1) (NTSC)