Although Stephen Chow had been one of Hong Kong’s biggest box office draws for over a decade, it was Shaolin Soccer in 2001 which saw the comedian becoming a truly global star. A one of a kind slice of cinematic madness which combines Chow’s trademark mo lei tau slapstick style and his love of kung fu with football, the film broke records on its original release and has remained one of the most popular and acclaimed of his works as director.
A classic underdog sports story, the film follows Chow as Sing, a former Shaolin monk who teams up with down and out ex-football player Fung (Ng Man-tat) to spread the teachings of martial arts. Enlisting the help of several of Sing’s Shaolin brothers they form a team and enter the China Super Cup tournament, coming up against a series of increasingly tough and bizarre opponents. Although the monks find success through using their kung fu skills on the football field, they meet their match in the form of an evil team led by an enemy from Fung’s past.
Supported by the Hong Kong Economic Trade Office London.
