Tai Chi Zero

"See the extraordinary life of founder of the Yang style Tai Chi."

2012 1h 40m ZH

😐

6.0

MID

★6.0TMDB · 140

ActionDrama

Synopsis

Spoiler shield

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.

“See the extraordinary life of founder of the Yang style Tai Chi.”

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Cast

Jayden Yuan
The Freak
Fung Hak-On
Lao Zhao
Stephen Fung
Nan
Shu Qi
Mother Yang
Andrew Lau Wai-Keung
Father Yang
Bruce Leung Siu-Lung
Dong
AngelaBaby
Chen Yu Niang
Eddie Peng Yu-Yan
Fang Zi Jing

Credits

Behind the camera

Director: Stephen Fung
Writers: Chen Kuofu, Cheng Hsiao-Tse, Zhang Jialu
Languages: English, Mandarin
Countries: China

Want more? Switch to Cinephile mode in the header for DP, composer, budget, box office, production companies, keywords, and release history.

Did you know?

Fun facts 🍿

1 / 8

ERA

Did you know

Released 14 years ago.

MoodPlayr · trivia#01

2 / 8

WORLD

Did you know

Dialogue crosses 2 languages: English, Mandarin.

MoodPlayr · trivia#02

3 / 8

CINEMA

Did you know

Part of the "Tai Chi Collection" — so the characters or world continue elsewhere.

MoodPlayr · trivia#03

4 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Directed by Stephen Fung, shot by Du Jie. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.

MoodPlayr · trivia#04

5 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Original score by Katsunori Ishida. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.

MoodPlayr · trivia#05

6 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Editor Cheng Hsiao-Tse shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.

MoodPlayr · trivia#06

7 / 8

CAST

Did you know

Jayden Yuan and Fung Hak-On and Stephen Fung carry the top of the cast.

MoodPlayr · trivia#07

8 / 8

FACT

Did you know

Marketing tagline: "See the extraordinary life of founder of the Yang style Tai Chi.".

MoodPlayr · trivia#08

Cinephile deep dive

The take

Stephen Fung directs. Du Jie behind the camera. Katsunori Ishida scores. Cheng Hsiao-Tse cuts. Produced in China. Dialogue in English, Mandarin.

Trivia

Things worth knowing

1Released 14 years ago.
2Dialogue crosses 2 languages: English, Mandarin.
3Part of the "Tai Chi Collection" — so the characters or world continue elsewhere.
4Directed by Stephen Fung, shot by Du Jie. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.
5Original score by Katsunori Ishida. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.
6Editor Cheng Hsiao-Tse shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.
7Jayden Yuan and Fung Hak-On and Stephen Fung carry the top of the cast.
8Marketing tagline: "See the extraordinary life of founder of the Yang style Tai Chi.".
9IMDB entry: tt1981080 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.
10Released under 10 different titles around the world.

The technical file

Cinematography: Du Jie
Original score: Katsunori Ishida
Editing: Cheng Hsiao-Tse
Makeup / hair: Andrew Lin Hoi
VFX supervisor: Chas Chau
Stunt coordinator: Andy Cheng
Runtime: 100 min · 1h 40m
Aspect ratio (typical): 1.37:1 (Academy)
Status: Released
Box office: $1,317,376
Original language: ZH
Certification (US): PG-13
IMDB: Tai Chi Zero (2012)

Part of

Tai Chi Collection

A two‑film steampunk‑infused martial‑arts saga following the rise of Yang Lu Chan, a gifted outsider whose persistence leads him into the legendary Chen Village, where every resident is a master of Chen‑style Tai Chi. After proving himself by helping defend the village from a vengeful foe wielding massive steam‑powered machines, Lu Chan is entrusted with the knowledge that will shape his destiny. The story follows Chan as he grows into the Tai Chi master who would ultimately found the world’s most popular style, facing strange mechanical armies and escalating threats while forging his heroic legacy in the 19th century.