GeneChing
03-19-2003, 10:24 AM
Myths and Logic of Shaolin Kung Fu (http://store.yahoo.com/martialartsmart/dvdtz29484.html) - it's a clunky title, but an interesting documentary. This is part of the Discover China series - a new line of intriguing documentaries available on DVD. The first thing I should say is that the production quality of all of these if very high. Everything is shot very professionally. It looks like it's all direct to digital, giving that crispness of image, but also the strobescopic shudder in slow motion. I've seen all our new DVD's an found them each entertaining.
Now specific to this Shaolin documentary. This is a good one - one of the best ones so far. It gives a solid overview of today's Shaolin Temple, one that a total beginner or even non-martial artist will understand. If you've seen most of the Shaolin documentaries already, there's nothing that new, but if you're a serious researcher, you'll certainly find it interesting becuase of what they show. There are interviews with Shi Deyang, Shi Hengjun and Liang Yiquan, as well as students of Taguo, but Shi Yongxin is conspicuously absent. The demonstrations range from modern wushu and sanda to traditional shaolin, but where this DVD really shines is the photography. It captures the majesty of Shaolin Kung Fu against the stunning background of Songshan better than any documentary so far. All in all, it will sit well in the library of Shaolin documentaries, especially intriguing since it's the first professional DVD.
OK, end sales pitch :rolleyes: Let me know what you guys think after you see it.
Now specific to this Shaolin documentary. This is a good one - one of the best ones so far. It gives a solid overview of today's Shaolin Temple, one that a total beginner or even non-martial artist will understand. If you've seen most of the Shaolin documentaries already, there's nothing that new, but if you're a serious researcher, you'll certainly find it interesting becuase of what they show. There are interviews with Shi Deyang, Shi Hengjun and Liang Yiquan, as well as students of Taguo, but Shi Yongxin is conspicuously absent. The demonstrations range from modern wushu and sanda to traditional shaolin, but where this DVD really shines is the photography. It captures the majesty of Shaolin Kung Fu against the stunning background of Songshan better than any documentary so far. All in all, it will sit well in the library of Shaolin documentaries, especially intriguing since it's the first professional DVD.
OK, end sales pitch :rolleyes: Let me know what you guys think after you see it.