Kung Fu Monk

Another documentary on National Geographic Asia (yes, there was time when I watched TV quite often.., this one I watched on 31 Dec as my own private celebration of the New Years Eve).

This was about a Kung Fu master. His beginnings - he came to the Shaolin Temple at the age of 5, he was from a rural poor family. One of the best students, he was the first one to leave Shaolin and China. In 1992 the Shaolin monks went on their first US tour, and he used this opportunity to defect. He was granted asylum and he stayed in New York. China lost their Shaolin superstar.

Jim Jarmush spoke in the documentary on the connection between blacks and Shaolin movies influence - these movies would be played only on the city outskirts - blacks would identify with them also because of this outsider aspect.

...I might be going to the Shaolin Temple in China.. what I heard of it is: the worst Chinese experience, dirty, kung fu classes are just drill, the kung fu master is just after money driving his BMW... So not much good reference.. but to be seen. From what I have read, many rural kids still flood the school as this might be one of the few opportunities for them to do something with their lives.