Tianhao Xu 许天浩

Shaolin School is an observational diary-film based on my experiences living in and filming at my dad’s martial arts boarding school in China. The film is about the kids, who are mostly from disadvantaged backgrounds or have dropped out of school, and about my father, who dreams to build a legacy for Shaolin kungfu. As their paths cross, I am sometimes caught in the middle, trying to make sense of it all, and following their journeys through adversity, maturity, and into society. This richly layered film is a story of courage and hope, but also of fragility and uncertainty. It asks us to question the meaning of education, the place of tradition, and the image of the futures we want to create.

This project began in 2019 and is currently seeking funding. If you’d like to know more, please get in touch.

Teaser / Intro: