Tai Chi Zero
- -In legendary Chen Village, everyone is a martial arts master, using their powerful Chen Style Tai Chi in all aspects of their lives. Lu Chan has arrived to train, but the villagers are forbidden to teach Chen Style to outsiders, and do their best to discourage him by challenging him to a series of fights. Everyone, from strong men to young children, defeats him using their Tai Chi moves. But when a man from the village's past returns with a frightening steampowered machine and plans to build a railroad through the village at any costs, the villagers realize they may have no choice but to put their faith in Lu Chan... who has a secret power of his own.
Photos
Storyline
Details
Box Office
Company Credits
Technical Specs
As an uncommonly gifted child, Yang Luchan had a fleshy abnormality that holds tremendous power growing on his forehead.
However being teased as the town fool, Yang’s mother spurs him to practice martial arts, and following her wishes, Yang travels the distance to come to Chen village to learn Tai Chi.
At this legendary village, everyone practices Tai Chi and uses Tai Chi in every aspect of their lives. Nevertheless, it is forbidden for a villager to disclose Tai Chi to an outsider, and Yang learned this the hard way.
Upon arriving at the village, locals discourage Yang by challenging him with fights. From the strong men to hold ladies to children, everyone defeats Yang with their Tai Chi moves.
After facing the toughest battle and being defeated by Master Chen’s beautiful daughter Yuniang, Yang is determined to master the art of Tai Chi and he needs to find Master Chen.
Little does Yang know, the poor strange man who he befriended with is in fact Master Chen who then saved him from the duel with Yuniang.
Master Chen realizes Yang’s genius and disguises himself to secretly guide Yang to his self realization of Tai Chi. One day, a frightening steam-powered machine came to the village, lead by Fang Zijing, a childhood friend of Yuniang.
He has bribed government offi cials to permit him to build a railway that will run straight through the village.
Yang decided to join forces with Yuniang to defeat Fang Zijing and destroy the machine. This brave act may just win the hearts of the villagers…
Director’s Statement
Tai Chi is an action adventure trilogy 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 needed 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.