Related Research Articles
Martial arts films are a subgenre of action films that feature martial arts combat between characters. These combats are usually the films' primary appeal and entertainment value, and often are a method of storytelling and character expression and development. Martial arts are frequently featured in training scenes and other sequences in addition to fights. Martial arts films commonly include hand-to-hand combat along with other types of action, such as stuntwork, chases, and gunfights. Sub-genres of martial arts films include kung fu films, wuxia, karate films, and martial arts action comedy films, while related genres include gun fu, jidaigeki and samurai films.
Shaolin Monastery, also known as Shaolin Temple, is a monastic institution recognized as the birthplace of Chan Buddhism and the cradle of Shaolin Kung Fu. It is located at the foot of Wuru Peak of the Songshan mountain range in Dengfeng County, Henan province, China. The name reflects its location in the ancient grove of Mount Shaoshi, in the hinterland of the Songshan mountains. Mount Song occupied a prominent position among Chinese sacred mountains as early as the 1st century BC, when it was proclaimed one of the Five Holy Peaks. It is located some 48 km (30 mi) southeast of Luoyang, the former capital of the Northern Wei Dynasty (386–534), and 72 km (45 mi) southwest of Zhengzhou, the modern capital of Henan Province.
Shaolin kung fu, also called Shaolin Wushu, or Shaolin quan, is the largest and most famous style of kung fu. It combines Zen philosophy and martial arts. It was developed in the Shaolin Temple in Henan, China during its 1500-year history. In Chinese folklore there is a saying, "Shaolin kung fu is the best under heaven," which indicates its superiority among martial arts, and "All martial arts under heaven originated from Shaolin," which indicates its influence on other martial arts. The name Shaolin is also used as a brand for the so-called external styles of kung fu. Many styles in southern and northern China use the name Shaolin.
Kung Fu is an American action-adventure martial arts Western drama television series starring David Carradine. The series follows the adventures of Kwai Chang Caine, a Shaolin monk who travels through the American Old West, armed only with his spiritual training and his skill in martial arts, as he seeks Danny Caine, his half-brother.
Chinese martial arts, commonly referred to with umbrella terms kung fu, kuoshu or wushu, are multiple fighting styles that have developed over the centuries in Greater China. These fighting styles are often classified according to common traits, identified as "families" of martial arts. Examples of such traits include Shaolinquan (少林拳) physical exercises involving All Other Animals (五形) mimicry or training methods inspired by Old Chinese philosophies, religions and legends. Styles that focus on qi manipulation are called internal, while others that concentrate on improving muscle and cardiovascular fitness are called external. Geographical associations, as in northern and southern, is another popular classification method.
Shaolin Soccer is a 2001 Hong Kong sports comedy film directed by Stephen Chow, who also stars in the lead role. The film revolves around a former Shaolin monk who reunites his five brothers, years after their master's death, to apply their superhuman martial arts skills to play soccer and bring Shaolin kung fu to the masses.
Bruceploitation is an exploitation film subgenre that emerged after the death of martial arts film star Bruce Lee in 1973, during which time filmmakers from Hong Kong, Taiwan and South Korea cast Bruce Lee look-alike actors ("Lee-alikes") to star in imitation martial arts films, in order to exploit Lee's sudden international popularity. Bruce Lee look-alike characters also commonly appear in other media, including anime, comic books, manga, and video games.
The 36th Chamber of Shaolin is a 1978 Hong Kong kung fu film directed by Lau Kar-leung and produced by Shaw Brothers, starring Gordon Liu. The film follows a highly fictionalized version of San Te, a legendary Shaolin martial arts disciple who trained under the general Chi Shan.
Alexander Fu Sheng, also known as Fu Sing, was a Hong Kong martial arts actor. One of Hong Kong's most talented performers, Fu rose to prominence in the 1970s starring in a string of movies with the Shaw Brothers that accrued him international stardom throughout Asia and parts of North America.
Shi Yongxin is the current abbot of the Shaolin Temple. He is the thirteenth successor after Shi Xingzheng. He is the Chairman of the Henan Province Buddhists Association, a representative of the Ninth National People's Congress and also one of the first Chinese monks ever to get an MBA degree.
Alexander Sebastien Lee is an American filmmaker born and raised in Los Angeles, California. Lee was exposed from an early age to the films of Akira Kurosawa, Zhang Yimou, and Claude Berri. In his teens, Lee studied theater in London at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts, and at age 18, he lived in Paris and studied French language, French civilization and art history at the Paris-Sorbonne University. Lee later returned to Los Angeles and studied film production at the USC School of Cinematic Arts
Shi Yan Ming is a 34th generation Shaolin warrior monk, teacher and actor, best known as the founder of the USA Shaolin Temple. Trained at the Shaolin Temple in Henan, People's Republic of China (PRC) since the age of five, Shi Yan Ming came to the United States in 1992, before opening the USA Shaolin Temple in Manhattan, where he has taught hundreds of students, including numerous celebrities. He has made various media appearances in television, film and print, including National Geographic, PBS, History, Time magazine, and the 1999 American samurai action film, Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai.
Alfred Hsing is an American martial artist, actor, and stuntman. After over a decade of intensive training in both America and China, Hsing won the first American gold medal in wushu taolu history at the 2009 World Wushu Championships held in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Earlier that year he made the US National Wushu Team where he was ranked 1st in the nation. Along with his career in martial arts, Hsing is also recognized as the Shaolin Expert on Spike TV's show Deadliest Warrior.
Tagou Martial Arts School is one of China's largest martial arts schools. It was built in 1978. It was featured in the movie The Real Shaolin.
Ashton Chen Xiaolong, also known by his stage name Shi Xiaolong, is a Chinese actor and martial artist. He is also credited as Xiaolung, Tommy Sik, Shi Xiao-Lung, Shi Xiao-Long, Shi Shao-Long, Shieh Shiao-Long, Xi Xiao-Long, Sik Siu-Loong, and S. L. Sik on some of his films. He has been a disciple of Shi Yongxin, the current abbot of Shaolin Temple, since he was two years old. Originally named "Chen Xiaolong", Chen was given a dharma name—Shi Xiaolong—by the abbot. He was taught martial arts by his father and Shi Yongxin at a young age. He gained attention in the entertainment industry after his performance at the International Shaolin Kung Fu Festival in Zhengzhou at the age of four. He became a child actor in China and achieved great success in films such as the 1994 martial arts comedy Shaolin Popey II: Messy Temple (新乌龙院). In 2003, he stopped acting and went to study in the United States. In 2005, he returned to China and starred as Zhan Zhao in the television series Young Justice Bao III. In 2007, he continued his studies in the United States and graduated from high school in 2008 from the prestigious Performing Children's School (PCS) in New York City. He has continued his acting career in China since then. In 2010, Chen played one of Ip Man's students in the martial arts film Ip Man 2.
Ng Mui (Chinese: t 伍枚, p Wú Méi; Cantonese: Ng5 Mui4) is said to have been one of the legendary Five Elders—survivors of the destruction of the Shaolin Temple by the Qing Dynasty.
Snake kung fu is a Shaolin boxing style, one of several Chinese martial arts known as "snake boxing" or "fanged snake style" that imitate the movements of snakes. Proponents claim that adopting the fluidity of snakes allows them to entwine with their opponents in defense and strike them from angles they would not expect in offense. Snake style is said to especially lend itself to applications with the Chinese straight sword. The snake is also one of the animals imitated in Yang-style tai chi, Baguazhang and Xingyiquan. The sinuous, fluid motion of the snake lends itself to the practical theory that underlies the "soft" martial arts.
Adam McArthur is an American actor based in Los Angeles, California. His best-known role is voicing Marco Diaz in Star vs. the Forces of Evil, Prince Lee-Char in Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Ricky and Patrick in Shadows House, Yuri in Sakugan, Chifuyu Matsuno in Tokyo Revengers, and Yuji Itadori in Jujutsu Kaisen. He also voices characters on other animation shows, and on-screen on some nationally aired commercials. In martial arts, he specializes in kung fu, has been a champion at some tournaments, and has been the featured subject of several documentaries that have aired on PBS.
Peng Zhang Li is a 32nd-generation monk who started training at the age of three at the Shaolin Temple in China. He has traveled the world demonstrating his art from the temple.
Kung Fu Elliot is a 2014 Canadian film co-directed by Matthew Bauckman and Jaret Belliveau, reportedly a documentary, concerning the attempt of Elliot "White Lighting" Scott to become "Canada's first action star".
References
- ↑ "Just Hollywood lore?". China Daily. Retrieved 2010-07-04.
- ↑ "Kung fu film maker gets his kicks in China". Shanghai Daily. Retrieved 2010-07-04.
- ↑ "진실소림'완성 앞둔 알렉스 크리스티언 이 "서사 영화 꼭 내손으로…". Korea Town Daily. Archived from the original on 2010-03-02. Retrieved 2010-07-04.
- ↑ "Toronto documentary gets real about kung fu dream". Reuters. 2008-09-08. Retrieved 2010-07-04.
