The Real Shaolin (2008) Poster

(2008)

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9/10
Eye-Opening and Highly Entertaining
mikey138-16 January 2009
This is a true blood-and-sweat behind-the-scenes documentary of four aspiring martial artists training in extremely harsh conditions in the shadow of the Shaolin Temple. It's an insider's view of the martial arts industry in China. I have seen documentaries on the subject before but was surprised how much I enjoyed The Real Shaolin.

Bruce Lee, Jackie Chan and Jet Li would be proud of this film. We enjoy watching these amazing action stars on screen but we don't think about the years of training that they endured. In this documentary we follow four students training for the one in a million chance to be the next Jackie Chan. We also see what life is like for 90% of the 1.3 billion Chinese living in the countryside. It's tough! Rising at 5 am, eating a diet of rice soup and vegetables, and constantly being beaten by your instructors (except for foreigners). We got caught up in the emotional journey of the students very quickly. We saw their dreams crushed. We saw them rise to fight again. And in the end, there's no happy ending. Each student learned something about himself and moved on, just like in real life. I highly recommend The Real Shaolin. It's entertaining and eye-opening. You will appreciate martial art films much more after watching it.
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9/10
The Real Shaolin - a humbling and inspiring film
mspiggy5176 January 2009
The Real Shaolin was a pleasant surprise in so many ways. It explores the depths of human sacrifice and will of 4 individuals from varying backgrounds/cultures for the common pursuit of a lifelong dream/passion - to become a Shaolin master. The beauty of the film, and what made it compelling to me, is that it simply relies on the truth of very human experiences. The stories are told in a way that you can relate to and empathize with each subject, where the nuances of their daily lifestyle and beliefs uncover their vulnerabilities and character as they learn to "eat bitter" for an art that has become their life. It was a very humbling and inspiring film. I walked out with a greater appreciation for the sacrifices made for mastering an art form, and for sheer human determination for that matter. An additional bonus for me was learning about the history and cultural significance of Shaolin and other martial arts, in which, despite geography/race, can bridge people from all walks of life.
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8/10
we get a taste of it while there's so much more we don't know
donchao9 January 2009
I was most impressed by the sense of objectivity through which the camera captured the main characters' experiences of training at the Shaolin temple. Shaolin wasn't glorified, except through the words of the ambitious disciples. You get to see what it's really like. I recommend this to anyone interested in studying kung fu in china; and if you're into following people around as they live their daily lives; like reality TV, but without the concern for what would boost the ratings. This in not an in depth documentary on the sacred teachings of shaolin, but more like an intro to the practice and discipline. After watching this, I realize how much we really don't know about what shaolin really means.
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10/10
Excellent Film
wilsonkungfu17 September 2008
I was fortunate to watch The Real Shaolin during the Toronto film festival. The movie was practically sold-out, but I managed to get rush tickets. The Real Shaolin is an excellent film in many respects. As a Kung Fu master who has toured Shaolin, I felt that the film was accurate and explains martial arts culture that would be understandable even to a layman. The film also shows parts of China that few have access to, such as corporal punishment and how fighters have to cut weight. I think this is the finest documentary about China that I've ever seen. I learned new things about the martial arts and Chinese culture, and was impressed by the spirit of the four students who made the journey. I took my teenage daughter to watch the film and now she wants to visit Shaolin also! Even if you're not a martial artist you'll enjoy this movie.
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10/10
One of my favorite documentaries
goodchimera11 September 2008
I watched The Real Shaolin at the 2008 Toronto International Film Festival. I have no interest in Kung Fu at all, but my friends saw the film and convinced me to go see it. The film differed from my expectations, as I was expecting a Discovery Channel style documentary about the history of the Shaolin Temple. Instead, the documentary plays like a movie that follows the stories of four people pursuing their dreams. I found their stories poignant and deeply insightful into the lives of Chinese people. Also, the French guys were funny! The director, Alexander Lee, and the American character, Orion Lee, did a Q&A after the screening where they discussed the motivation to make this film. This movie was very entertaining and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it to my friends. Definitely one of the best documentaries I've ever seen!
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6/10
real enough but not dramatic enough
dumsumdumfai8 September 2008
A standard documentary the follows the journey of 4 individuals trying to find their own paths while in China learning Shaolin Kung Fu, martial arts or sanda (loose fighting?). The structure fairly standard, the 'reveals' or arch of each character normal. And comes with the standard ending still shots with what lies ahead for each of the characters. I have to say this is fairly standard stuff, I wish there were more depth or emotion to each story or character than what was shown. Or maybe more ah-ha kind of "moments"

audience are far more sophisticated than this. even though the film maker may have gone through hell to made this. it is whether final cut content 'have' anything to say, AND how the film says it, that matters. 2 days later I saw the more compelling Unmistaken Child.

Maybe I should have stayed for the Q&A to see hear some of the explanations. But a documentary of this sort - following someone documentary, in my mind, is ever to be compare with the 7ups series in which several children are documented every 7 years. Inevitably, the 7 ups series is bound to be much more emotional and insightful. True, this one also leaves you somewhat wanting to know more about some of the characters but only 'somewhat'
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10/10
fantastic documentary...a great journey
memorybankrupt22 January 2009
Warning: Spoilers
I really loved watching the Real Shaolin. The documentary tells the story of these young men that train in the Shaolin Arts, facing obstacles most of us could never imagine. Each of the four stories is very compelling. We follow fighters who commonly have to starve themselves to the point of passing out just to drop in weight class. We receive much of the comic relief from a pair of Frenchmen, hoping to become the next Jackie Chan and Bruce Lee. However, my favorites were Orion (the young American who no matter how much he wants to be a Shaolin Master, his body seems to betray him) and the bullied Chinese orphan (who is taught to beat himself just below the heart in order to toughen up). I found myself really attached to these characters and rooting for them to overcome the odds. The film's depiction neither flatters nor condemns the Chinese culture, rather it offers a honest, unfiltered look into the world of Shaolin and those who dream to be a part of it. The filmmakers must have done a great job in immersing themselves into the culture. It is rare to see the Chinese open up to reveal their emotions (I say that as a Chinese-American). Watching these little kids train endlessly, kicking their feet up to the head, you would think they were robots. But deep down they are just like their western counterparts. They have big dreams and big hearts. I highly recommend the Real Shaolin.
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10/10
Excellent film with an engaging cast
kaomaster6 January 2009
The film was very entertaining. My coworker absolutely adored little Yuan Peng, whose journey was one of the four main story lines. Personally, I thought the entire selection of subjects was excellent, including side plots like Hussein's.

Each subject's story depicted a different aspect of the Shaolin experience. Although I didn't know much about Shaolin entering the screening, I think that the four stories and additional side plots covered the gambit of the Shaolin experience.

Without getting too much into the film, one can summarize it as a "tough love" type of story. The Real Shaolin differs from what most people envision the Shaolin experience to be. Shaolin has always been depicted under the shroud of fantasy and mystique, but The Real Shaolin jolts outsiders with a taste of life within the Shaolin walls.
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10/10
Great documentary highly recommended
gbkho15 January 2009
The director creates a wonderful documentary, capturing the hard and gritty life of 4 individuals as they strive to be kung fu masters. The footage and story that the director weaves together tells a remarkable story that pulls you right into the film. The Real Shaolin is unlike any documentary that I have ever seen. As a student of martial arts, it was amazing to see the kind of training that these students endure. I thought it was amazing how the director seamlessly tells the story of the 4 different characters and unites them through their common dream. While each individual had different experiences and martial arts trainings, their determination and courage was clearly the same. The Real Shaolin does justice to its title and I would recommend it to anyone who is a fan of storytelling.
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9/10
Great picture!
Kickme-115 January 2009
As a professional martial arts instructor around the country and Europe, I always enjoy seeing a films that portrays the burning desire of learning martial arts that I live on a daily basis.

"The Real Shaolin" is a terrific picture that brings you the highs and lows of traditional Chinese martial arts training in a modern day society. The two do not mix well in some aspects, and the film does a great job of showing these "disagreements" in a way that is respectful to both the arts and their practitioners. If you enjoy a story of challenge, martial arts or documentaries in general DO NOT MISS THIS FILM!!
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10/10
Loved the Real Shaolin
mperek6 January 2009
I was fortunate enough to see this movie in October. I was very surprised at how engaging the movie became as it continued and how well the characters were developed. The imagery and the effort of the cast and director to catch moments in the lives of these four men was impressive.

The movie is worth seeing for the story of the Kung Fu tourism business in China. Hundreds of Chinese children depend on the Kung Fu dreams of westerners to provide them with food and shelter.

An amazing story. This is a movie that really should have greater distribution as its genuinely unique and refreshing.
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9/10
Fascinating look at the world of aspiring Shaolin martial artists
vicregister14 January 2009
The Real Shaolin follows four aspiring Shaolin martial artists (two Chinese and two Occidental) through their training in the temples. These students have a wide range of backgrounds, ages, motivation, and dedication and it's absolutely fascinating to see how they fare through their training.

I was captivated by the artists' stories and found myself rooting so hard for them (some more than others) to achieve their goals. I was very interested and sometimes taken aback to learn about some of the conditions that they had to endure.

Not a chop-socky kung-fu film, The Real Shaolin gives a poignant, in-depth look at the world of Shaolin martial arts and its hopeful entrants.
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9/10
Documentary peek into the world of "real" kung fu
myronm6 January 2009
Follow four different martial arts practitioners as THE REAL SHAOLIN peers into the dreams and reality of the world, and business, of kung fu as it exists in China today. The journeys of each of the four principles in the film varies widely in their hopes and end points, however all are united in the disillusionment and struggles they face as they travel to the town considered to be the home of the historic Shaolin Temple made famous in books and movies. Based on these world famous fictional depictions each of the would-be students comes dreaming of discovering the secrets of Shaolin which will enable them to master their kung fu. The film does an excellent job of personalizing the sacrifices these men, and boys, make to pursue their ideal while sympathizing with the real world conditions that constantly stand in their way.
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10/10
The REAL Shaolin- great film!
drewwang200111 January 2009
As a fan of Kung Fu I really enjoyed this film. I think the whole experience for the main characters told the stories of the beginnings, struggles, and what they went through to overcome those impossible feats. Through blood, sweat and tears the characters really grew both personally and professionally. It comes to show that if we as human beings focus enough, virtually no physical or mental obstacles are impossible to overcome. The movie also demonstrated the REAL SHAOLIN, clarified the myths and the public perception of Kung Fu/Martial Arts we see in movies. So many Kung Fu movies portray surreal moves like people flying, walking on water and moving mountains. After watching the Real Shaolin, I became a 'NEW' fan of Kung Fu once more.
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8/10
I cried and laughed very motivating movie!
jennattl9 January 2009
Im not really one who likes documentaries or Martial art type films but this movie is amazing! No one really ever stops to think how much training goes into Martial arts mainly because in the US we don't train the same. Here our kids go to class maybe once a week and then move on to other activities, but In Asia they train dusk till dawn. It is truly away of life for them. This movie follows the lives of several students( from all over) and their struggle to learn and /or become Shaolin Monks. You really connect with the characters and feel their pain and happiness. I found myself crying and laughing! The conditions they endure are unbelievable and it really motivates you to want to make your life better and/or at least accomplish something you have always wanted to do! This film will make you view Martial arts films in a whole new way and with a lot more appreciation for the sport.
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10/10
Best documentary I ever saw!
zenoasis112 July 2009
My son and I had a privilege to see this film at the Los Angeles Asian Film Festival and we both loved the movie. I am not a Kung Fu fan, but my son is and we enjoyed immensely! I cried over Yuan Peng and laughed with over Eric and Hussein while my son was so impressed with Orion and Zhu. Dedication and perseverance of the people in the film were inspiring and I was in awe. The film covered so many interesting topics such a Buddhism, Chinese history, and personal struggles of each character of the movie. I also appreciated the beautiful cinematography and bravo to the film maker who must have gone through the same hardship as the characters in the film to make this movie. A must see for everyone regardless of gender and age.
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10/10
love this film!
elizabeth-ai13 February 2009
I was a bit reluctant about going to this private screening that a friend invited me too but am so glad that I did. What a delightful movie! I was completely engaged as soon as the film started. It's rare to see first time feature documentary filmmakers really hit it out of the park like this. The film follows four martial arts students - all from disparate backgrounds, potential and aspirations - through the trials they endure in China to learn and attempt to master the art. It's refreshing to walk into a film where the subjects were all so honest and real. With no effort at all I found it very easy to like them - character flaws and all. My favorite was the young orphan boy's story. He just stole the show for me.

It's been a long time since I've seen a film about people overcoming odds that seem all to attainable on the outside --- and once there and training --- realization hits that those goals are not even visible on the horizon. The end of each subject's story is not wrapped up pretty in a bow-tie like a lot of formulaic Hollywood films these days. The picture shares some harsh realities for those that think learning ShaoLin martial arts is just a matter of some training and going to the birthplace of the art. Kudos to the team that made this film!
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