Shaolin Soccer
Shaolin Soccer (Chinese: 少林足球; pinyin: Shàolín Zúqiú) is a 2001 Hong Kong comedy directed by acclaimed HK comedian, actor and director, Stephen Chow.
Synopsis
Shaolin Soccer tells the story of Sing (Stephen Chow), a master of Shaolinquan Kung Fu whose mission is to let the world know about the benefits of the ancient technique. He experiments with various methods to mainstream the art, including comedic song and dance routines, until his meeting with a soccer coach, Fung (Ng Man-Tat), leads him to think of incorporating it with soccer. Together with his fellow Shaolin brother students, Sing and Fung attempt to put together an unbeatable soccer team.
Interesting Facts
- The humour in Shaolin Soccer involves Mo lei tau; Chinese wordplay, gross-out gags, parodies of popular films (including The Matrix, Saving Private Ryan and Jurassic Park), and many over-the-top action scenes mimicking the wuxia genre.
- With a gross of HK$66M, Shaolin Soccer became the highest grossing film in Hong Kong history, to be surpassed by Stephen Chow's next film, Kung Fu Hustle.
- Miramax released an edited version of Shaolin Soccer in the US market on April 2nd, 2004. Missing over 20 minutes of footage and featuring English dubbing, the Miramax release came under heavy criticism from Hong Kong film fans-not to mention box office failure from people who had bought the import DVD three years earlier-leading the studio to reinstate both the excised footage and the original Chinese language audio as a viewer option for the US DVD release.
- Puma apparel is featured prominently in almost every scene. Every opposing team wears Puma, and the Shaolin team itself has Puma shoes. "The Cat" is also used in a special effects shot, where the soccer ball morphs into a flaming comet and then into a fiery puma.
- The possibility of a sequel to Shaolin Soccer was referenced in Chow's next film, Kung Fu Hustle. In his first appearance in the film, Chow stomps on a soccer ball after doing a few tricks, deflating it, and yells "No more soccer!"
Cast
- Stephen Chow - Steel Leg Sing (Ng Sihing 五師兄, Brother #5)
- Vicki Zhao - T'ai Chi Kung Fu master Mui
- Ng Man Tat - Golden Leg Fung
- Patrick Tse - Hung
- Wong Yut Fei - Iron Head (Tai Sihing 太師兄, Big Brother #1)
- Tin Kai Man - Iron Shirt (Sam Sihing 三師兄, Brother #3)
- Lam Chi Chung - Light Weight (Sidai 師弟, Little Brother #6)
- Chan Kwok Kuen - Empty Hand (Say Sihing 四師兄, Brother #4)
- Lam Chi-Sing - Hooking Leg (Yi Sihing 二師兄, Brother #2)
- Sik Chi Wan - FF of Team Evil
Awards
21st Annual Hong Kong Film Awards
- Winner - Best Picture
- Winner - Best Director (Stephen Chow)
- Winner - Best Actor (Stephen Chow)
- Winner - Best Supporting Actor (Wong Yat-Fei)
- Winner - Best Sound Effect
- Winner - Best Visual Effect
- Winner - Outstanding Young Director (Stephen Chow)
- Nomination - Best Action Choreography
- Nomination - Best Cinematography
- Nomination - Best Costume Design
- Nomination - Best Editing
- Nomination - Best Screenplay
- Nomination - Best Original Film Score
- Nomination - Best Original Song
8th Annual Hong Kong Film Critics Society Awards
- Winner - Best Picture