Gene, when is the shaolin ulysses documentary supposed to come out?
I don’t know
I left that project because I didn’t care for the direction that it took, particularly with the concluding segment in Vegas with my martial brother, Russbo…
I thought it was pretty cool.
The guy gets a chance to talk about the direction of Shaolin in America and he talks about HOOTERS as his church! Is he really a doctor?? 
What Fu**ing idiot, I am still laughing in disgust:rolleyes:
Lokhopkuen
See what I mean?
Doc is my martial brother. He is a real doctor, now retired after a rather tragic car accident. How would you feel if you were working on such a project, and they decided to make your firend look like an idiot, especially after you where the one who got that friend involved (as well as others.) Check out Doc’s site for better portrayal of him - russbo.com. He’s at Shaolin as we speak…
It seemed like he did a great job on his own but film is an interesting media and a clever director can make film look like anything.
Peace
Lokhopkuen
It seemed like he did a great job on his own but film is an interesting media and a clever director can make film look like anything.
Peace
Lokhopkuen
PS
the website is nice.
It’s that media agenda…
…I have to watch myself on this a lot. You have a story to tell. The danger zone is when you begin to tell a story that hurts someone for no other reason then to heighten the drama. That crosses the line. Doc is doing some great work to promote Shaolin - he’s very earnest about his work, and I’m sorry that his reputation was tarnished. Sure he’s got his human side, he likes hooters. But is that really appropriate given the context of Shaolin in such a documentary?
I was tempted to write you private but since I made a public statement I think this is the the best place to respond.
I have great respect for you Gene as my gung fu brother (cousin) and my friend. I am sure Doc is a great guy and I would love to meet him sometime. The film was actually really funny in a way Martha and Mei ling(?) did not intend. I saw it at the LA film festival and was amused, enlightened and disappointed. I have worked in film and understand what a difficult task it is to shape the flavor and tone of a film. I takes great scope and imagination. As far as your comment about “hightening the drama” I find that a bit disrespectful. This is no game to me, is this a discussion forum or not? Am I entitled to my opinion. I am not some little person trying to start some crap, I saw a thread about S. U. I responded with my opinion. “You mentioned you should watch yourself on this one” please don’t. Let it flow express yourself brother.
Anyway
Truly I was kind of ****ed with the way Doc came across and with the Film makers for even allowing the interview to be filmed in HOOTERS. My statements are however my opinion only and I have no intention to offend you my friend and I commend you for supporting your friend so strongly.
Peace
Lokhopkuen
Shaolin cousin,
You are misreading me, cousin. I meant the documentary was heightening the drama, not you. And I respect your opinion on the doc, especially since you are one of the only ones who have seen it so far.
I’ll admit that I’m pretty defensive on this project. Shaolin, as you know from so many our prior conversations, is as close to my heart as it is yours. Few people have worked as hard as me to shine a positive light on Shaolin. The filmakers knew this. In fact, they are personal friends - Martha was even a past associate, the former editor of this magazine. So when the direction of the project took a negative turn, especially towards some monks and personal friends, that was quite difficult for me. Still is. Additionally there was the business conflict of interest. It was partially funded by TC Media, since they were paying for some of my time as well as providing resources. That obligation of return from the filmakers to TC Media remains unfulfilled. Furthermore there were personal promises made to me on the project that were broken. So given all this professional and emotional baggage, it is impossible for me to see this documentary and not feel negatively towards it.
Is that enough flowing for you? 
Any more would require you to by me some beer.
Wanted to buy you beer in Texas Brother but you move too fast. Haha! next time you are in LA lets do it or I will be at Berkeley in the Wu Shu fest.
Thanks Gene sorry for the misunderstanding and best wishes to Doc.
Peace
Lokhopkuen
TX to CA
You mean I got too jerked around by various masters like I always do at tournaments.
I’m hoping to be at Berkeley, but I’ll be just returning from China, so I’m not sure what condition I will be in and if I’ll be up for it. I’ll let you know if I’m going to be there the week before - I’ll post it on the main forum.
Shaolin Ulysses to be televised on Oct 28th on PBS at 10:00PM
Here’s the website. Despite some of my earlier disgruntled comments, I do wish the best for the filmmakers and the project. Now that some two years has passed since I worked on that, I’ve lost my attachment to the project. I’ll be interested in your reactions.
Dear Mr. GeneChing:
It is apparent that this tape has been trading in the underground for a period of over 6 months. Certainly an avid Shao-Lin-ist such as yourself has seen the finished product, or that which is purported to be the finished product.
Held in special astoundment is the young girl - admittedly just a youth - that speaks of the beloved way of Shao-Lin in terms of being on television, impressing her friends and calcitrating gluteus maximus. The segment on Mr. Russbo was not surprising, except that he drives a really nifty jalopy. He has certainly come a long way from the old yellow rattletraps he hacked in NYC.
The Monks are all impressive in their skill and fortitude, and I vow to one day matriculate under their tutelage.
Many respects,
dimmakseminar
I’ve seen two versions…
…but not the final version.
“calcitrating gluteus maximus” is a great term. 
Greetings!!! Long Time No Hear
Hey Gene! It’s been a while. Just wanted to say hi and post that this documentary is scheduled to air on PBS October 29, 2003 at 10pm (CST) here in Houston. I too have been reading about the current events regarding this documentary some good some bad. I guess I will just have to see how it turns out before giving a honest opinion. I have not seen any versions of it yet either. I been out of the loop for a while taking care of some personal matters but still squeezing time in to train. I had no idea Martha left her post with Kung Fu Magazine. I would like to get in touch with her if there is a number or e-mail address though.
Gene just wanted to also say that I agree with you and that you have really promoted Shaolin in a postive way. I can relate to you on how you feel regarding friends and associates and sometimes being caught in the middle. I think we have talked about some of the issues before when you were in town. I hope to talk to you soon and one of these days compare some notes
Adam
Im sure its unlikely but will it be available on free to air in china, does anyboby know? If not where can I buy this doco? It sounds like a must see. a little contreversy and a decent if one sided and slightly …?manipulated perspective on Shaolin..however we are all grown ups and Im sure will find what truth we looking for.
I just saw it on pbs… pretty much focused on brief looks at each of the monks, talking to them about their goals and motivations for spreading Shaolin in the U.S. and some of their experiences. It was interesting seeing the different personalities of each monk and the different ways they go about teaching. Seemed almost like an ad for Shaolin at times. It seemed to hint of how the monks may be, I don’t know… “corrupted” I guess by coming to the US, but it didn’t really explore the idea too much. My favorite segment was the interview with Li Peng(?), the ex-monk with the wife & baby. He seemed to be really genuine and honest, and his interview had a much more personal tone imo. A couple “haha” moments like the dude talking about spirituality in the middle of hooters restraunt, and the little girl talking about beating up bullies and becoming famous. The cops trying to do chin na was kind of funny too, lol.
After seeing the show on PBS, it wasn’t too bad. It was obvious intended for a western audiences. It might have focused in on certain things to make it more “spicy”. But, that can be overlook.
It showed America’s effect on the monk/ex-monk and the monk’s effect on some of their students. I think it was a reasonable presentation.
Overall, these monks came through as interesting people that I would like to train with.
wm
I didn’t like the way they blurred, slowed down, and even the angles from which they shot most of the kungfu scenes. I think they tried to spice it up and they actually ruined it. It also appeared that Guolin was the only one that was still some what living as a strict buddhist.
IMHO… It wasn’t worth the long wait. But over all it was OK.
Originally posted by Ted
It also appeared that Guolin was the only one that was still some what living as a strict buddhist.
According to the documentary, most of these “monk” didn’t start off as monk. They were good kung-fu guys who got enough recommendation letters to join the rank of “warrior monk”. Hence, they are really just talented guys who got identified and sent to shaolin for “further training”. So, it begs the question, did they take buddhist vows to become monk in the first place?
Guolin came from a buddhist family, hence it was more natural for him to become a real monk.
The others choose differently. Yet, shaolin’s experience benefited them. One of the Huston monk talked about how he was challenged by a Zen master. The zen master challenged the young “monk” to look at himself closely and see how he lacked spiritual development. This forced the young “monk” to re-examine his life and change his way.
So, in a greater sense, the story is how shaolin experience change these young men; how these young men are sharing their experiences with America, and how America changed them.
wm