New contributor to this blog, Daniel Simolke, will be penning a piece on Kung Fu movie classic, Shaolin and Wu-Tang, and it’s connection to hip-hop group Wu-Tang Clan’s debut album, which he’ll be posting some time over the weekend. 

That debut album was Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers), in reference to the 1978 kung fu film The 36th Chamber of Shaolin, widely considered to be one of the greatest, and most influential kung fu films ever made.

And in anticipation of Daniel’s piece, those in NYC should be aware that, taking place over the weekend, April 19 – 21, at the Anthology Film Archive cinemas is the Old School Kung Fu Fest, during which Shaolin and Wu-Tang will screen twice. So if you’re in NYC, and are interested in the film, and even following Daniel’s piece, you have 2 chances to see it over the weekend, along with several other old school Kung Fu flicks!

Here are the details from Anthology:

Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the movie theater…the Old School Kung Fu Fest is back! The New York Asian Film Festival’s wildly popular celebration of kung fu movies from the 70s and 80s that pop your lock, rattle your chops, and put the pain inside your brain has returned after a 10-year absence to send your kung fu knowledge back to school. This time the spotlight shines on some of the biggest stars in some of their rarest movies. We’ve got Gordon Liu (36TH CHAMBER OF SHAOLIN), Sammo Hung (Jackie Chan’s “big brother”), Kara Hui (Lau Kar-leung’s female star of choice), Bruce Leung (KUNG FU HUSTLE), and even Bruce Lee (after a fashion). With prints loaned from the vaults of the American Genre Film Archive and the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office New York, prepare to earn your Master’s Degree in Kick Ass-ology!

Organized by the New York Asian Film Festival (www.subwaycinema.com), featuring old school curatorial skillz by Grady Hendrix and Goran Topalovic. In memory of our friend Daniel Anderson Craft. Special thanks to Jerry Ma of Epic Proportions (www.epicprops.com) for another kick-ass poster design. Daniel would’ve approved!

Unless otherwise noted, the 35mm prints were provided by the American Genre Film Archive (www.americangenrefilm.com).

Upcoming Screenings