Into the Shaolin. A documentary showing us the places and people of the Shaolin Monastery, a cradle of certain kinds of Buddhism—and martial arts.
There is something majestic about its setting; a misty, green/gray human enclave on the side of a mountain. But even more enchanting is watching humans do what they do here.
Some of these people are here because they didn’t do well in school; others, because they liked cartoons or kung fu movies. Most of them are just here temporarily. It’s stretching and moving and obedience, yes, but also the desires and weaknesses of humanity on display.
There is no storyline to it. The format moves like the breeze. But it’s too fascinating and beautiful to lose interest for more than a few moments.
In an age where things move faster than they ever have—and are designed to continue to do so—it becomes refreshing to watch people decide to do something slower and more meaningful with their lives. Compelling, too, when family and money are on the line.
