SYNOPSIS:
Ancient
Chinese Sports will catapult viewers into a sporting world that
few knew existed. This was a world that thrived centuries before
the glory of the Olympic Games. Beyond the martial arts and
acrobatics, we look at the colourful sports that were created
in Imperial China. From ancient football and golf to Confucian
archery, Ancient Chinese Sports brings the unique world of china's
historical athletes to life.
MOVIE REVIEW:
It is clear why this documentary was produced: To
cash in on the Beijing Olympics. Who would have thought that
the ancient world of China was a land where sports flourished
before other countries of the world discovered them? Who would
have thought that sports in ancient China involved military
wars and cleansing of the human body? And what better time
to tell this to the world than now, which incidentally, well,
coincides with the 29th Olympiad Games held in Beijing?
The
52 minute documentary was first aired on several international
cable channels during the months leading up to the Beijing
Olympic Games. We see how sports like archery, soccer, gymnastics
and polo had their roots in ancient China, and through beautifully
shot reenactments and a sturdy English voiceover, we get a
glimpse of what role China played in the several sports we
are so familiar with today.
Many
of us would be familiar with the martial arts and artistry
that was signature of ancient China, but how many of us would
know about the sporting activities that people back then took
part in? Informative and educational without being boring
and bland, this well produced documentary takes us to the
imperial courts where these sports were first played thousands
of years ago. Interspersed with insightful interviews with
experts and academics, the documentary is kept engaging with
visually gorgeous reenactments of what it could have been
like back then. If bad acting was a problem in the first place,
one need not worry about it because the cast chosen to play
the warriors and sportsman seem comfortable in their roles
and deliver believable performances. Couple that with eye
catching cinematography and an energetic music score, viewers
would be suitably enlightened and entertained at the same
time.
The
documentary is also well structured to make sure that viewers
can pace along finely. First, you get information on how different
sports like archery, soccer, gymnastics and polo had its beginnings
in ancient China (Who would have thought the women’s
soccer started out as a ball game amongst the emperor’s
concubines? Who would have thought that gymnastics was simply
a street acrobatic act?), then you are introduced to concepts
and theories articulated by the interviewees (Who would have
thought that the Chinese translation of 'sports' means educating
the body?), before you get a competent conclusion about Beijing
hosting the most important event in sporting history, and
how everything has come full circle. That is also when you
realize that Beijing has done a darn good job for this Olympic
Games.
SPECIAL FEATURES :
This Code 3 DVD contains an "Extra Scene"
describing the how sports in ancient China could get you a
wife and an impressive career. In the two odd minutes, we
spot Yao Ming on a magazine cover. And wait, we see Liu Xiang
too! There is also a "Trailer" included
in the disc.
AUDIO/VISUAL:
The visual transfer enhances the fine looking
cinematography of the documentary, while the film is presented
in its original English language soundtrack.
MOVIE RATING:
DVD
RATING :
Review
by John Li
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