Jayden Yuan as Lu Chan does his thing on the battlefield in a scene from Stephen Fung's TAI CHI ZERO. Photo courtesy Variance Films/Well Go USA. All rights reserved.
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Tai Chi Zero (2012)
Also Known As: Tai Chi 0
Opened: 10/19/2012 Limited
| Limited (25+) | 10/19/2012 | |
| AMC Empire 25 | 10/19/2012 - 11/01/2012 | 14 days |
| NoHo 7 | 10/19/2012 - 10/25/2012 | 7 days |
| DVD | 01/22/2013 |
Trailer: Click for trailer
Genre: Chinese Martial Arts/Action (Chinese w/English subtitles)
Rated: PG-13 for violence and martial arts action throughout.
A Steampunk Kung-Fu Throwdown. From the creators of IP Man and Detective Dee.
Lu Chan has arrived in legendary Chen Village to learn a powerful form of Tai Chi. But the villagers are forbidden to teach their powerful Chen Style Kung Fu to outsiders, and Lu Chan is sent packing in a series of fights. But when a man from the village's past shows up with a frightening steam-powered machine and plans to build a railroad through the town at any cost, the villagers realize they may have to put their faith in Lu Chan... who has a secret kung-fu power all his own.
Synopsis
Lu Chan (Jayden Yuan) has got it rough. He only wants to be a kung-fu master. Born with a fleshy horn on top of his head, Lu Chan turns him into an unstoppable martial arts machine whenever someone hits it- but at the cost of shortening his life every time. Finding himself near death after people have "used" his gift a few too many times, the only solution for Lu Chan lies in learning an inner form of kung-fu... the powerful Chen Style Tai Chi.
In legendary Chen Village, everyone is a martial arts master, using Chen Style Tai Chi in all aspects of their everyday lives. Lu Chan comes to the village to train, as many have before- but it is forbidden to teach Chen Style to outsiders, so as always, the villagers do their best to discourage him by challenging him to a series of fights. Everyone from strong men to young children defeat him using their Chen Style moves.
Particularly keen to seen Lu Chan leave is Yuniang (Angelababy)- her father, the local master, is missing, and she has no time for outsiders. But when her former fiance returns with a frightening steam-powered machine and plans to build a railroad through the village at any cost, both Yuniang and the villagers realize they may have no choice but to put their faith in Lu Chan.
The first of a trilogy (the US release of TAI CHI HERO will follow in January 2013) from the creators of Ip Man and Detective Dee and featuring action directed by the legendary Sammo Hung, TAI CHI ZERO is a full on, steampunk-infused, video game-influenced kung-fu throw down that will knock you out of your seat.
Director's Statement
The TAI CHI trilogy is a series of action-adventure films about a hero's journey that takes place within an "altered history" universe. Instead or working in the realm of a clear historical background, it mixes elements from different eras in China's past and brings together different film genres in a completely unique way.
When it came to how the film should look, producer Chen Kuo-fu and I were in complete agreement that we wanted to create something fresh that would appeal to a younger audience. As fascinating as the true history of tai chi martial arts may be, our intention was never to preach about its philosophy. Instead, we let the true spirit and philosophy of tai chi seep into the story naturally whenever it serves the purpose of the narrative.
I am a huge fan of the steampunk genre as well as animation, especially the works of acclaimed Japanese director Hayao Miyazaki. Making "Tai Chi" has allowed me to step outside the boundaries of a specific genre and to incorporate so many elements that inspire me.
-- Stephen Fung, Director
Trailer
