Shaolin Soccer (2001)

Although “Shaolin Soccer” was filmed entirely in China, the movie’s no-holds-barred comedy needs no translation. One of the reasons that “Shaolin Soccer” appeals to audiences around the world is the film’s visual humor. The Hong Kong digital production studio Centro created more than 400 digital effects shots for the film in a rigorous process requiring teams of programmers to work around the clock for 4 1/2 months. “The special effects enhance the overall atmosphere of the game and the film,” says Chow.

Of course, not all of the acrobatics in the movie are computer generated. Action director Ching Siu-Tung, whose credits include “A Chinese Ghost Story,” “The Killer,” and “The Duel,” choreographed the film’s breathtaking stunts. Ching’s liberal quoting of famous Kung Fu movies works well with Chow’s own brand of physical parody.

Shaolin Soccer holds the box office record for the Hong Kong film industry and ranks #1 for all releases. Of the ten highest-grossing local Hong Kong movies, Stephen has made five: “Shaolin Soccer,” “Justice, My Foot!,” “All's Well Ends Well,” “Fight Back to School” and “All for the Winner”. Other Stephen Chow films— “The God of Cookery” (1996) and “King of Comedy” (1998)— were enormous hits in Asia.

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