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Kung fu fights for fame in hi-tech era
(China Daily)
Updated: 2005-12-31 07:06
Twenty-three years ago, Chinese martial arts skills mesmerized the world with
the movie "Shaolin Temple" featuring kung fu performer Jet Li, with a plot of 13
martial monks saving Li Shimin a famous Tang Dynasty (AD 618-907) emperor.
 Li granted the temple the status of "No 1 temple on earth,"
and gave the monks a high rank, after the monks saved him from his enemy.
With the film, Shaolin Temple and Jet Li have become household names for many
Chinese and foreigners alike.
The temple located on the southern foot of Songshan Mountain (one of China's
five most famous mountains) and 76 kilometres away from Zhengzhou, capital of
Central China's Henan Province is now worshipped as the birthplace of kung fu.
Founded in 496 during the Northern Wei (AD 386-534) period, the temple is
full of history.
Established about 1,500 years ago in Henan Province, Shaolin is famed for the
great combination of martial arts style and Chan, a sect of Buddhism that
features long meditation sessions for purifying the mind.
Popularization of kung fu
Decades after the movie's release, the temple is planning to lure outstanding
kung fu players worldwide via television, Internet and mobile phones to
participate in a kung fu competition.
"Our efforts will reach more people and be more effective by using modern
technologies and media channels," said Shi Yongxin, abbot with the temple, at a
recent press conference in Beijing.
The eight-month competition, to be shown on television across China through
satellite transmission as of March 16 next year, will allow Chinese audiences to
vote for their favourite kung fu exercisers through the website or mobile phone
messages.
The top 108 winners are expected to have the chance to play a part in a movie
and TV series depicting martial arts and monks of Shaolin, according to Fu Min,
general manager with the Shaolin Temple Culture Communication Co Ltd, which is
owned by the temple.
"We hope more people around the world will enjoy, practice and benefit from
Chinese kung fu," Shi said.
The movie and TV series, both named "Legends of Monk Warriors from Shaolin
Temple," will be based on a true story of the temple and is expected to attract
top international actors and film industry professionals to work on the
production, with an estimated cost of 200 million yuan (US$25 million).
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