The Shaolin Temple told a press conference in
Beijing on Thursday that it will be organizing a televised
elimination game show to be screened from next March, the winners
of which will feature in a film and TV series.
The Kungfu competition, jointly initiated by
Shaolin Temple Culture Communication Co., Ltd, owned by the temple,
and a Chinese satellite TV station, will select 108 practitioners,
said Shi Yongxin, the temple's abbot.
"Our efforts will reach more people and be more
effective by using modern technologies and media channels," said
Shi.
Participants will have to survive three stages to
vie for roles in the new film and series, both named The Legend
of the Monk Warriors of Shaolin Temple and with an estimated
budget of 200 million yuan (US$25 million).
Their plots will reportedly be based on a true
story involving the temple.
A judging panel of outstanding martial art
practitioners, Kungfu stars and renowned film directors will
appraise competitors along with public voting by internet and
mobile phone messages, according to Fu Min, general manager of
Shaolin Temple Culture Communication and also a Shaolin monk.
The 1,500-year temple, in central China's Henan
Province, is famous for its martial arts and legendary stories.
"We hope more people around the world will enjoy,
practice and benefit from Chinese Kungfu," said Shi.
(Xinhua News Agency November 18, 2005)
