[2010.12.03] ANDY LAU CREATES LATIN TAI CHI?

The Emperor film SHAOLIN (SUN SIU LUM JI) had many exciting fight scenes. Andy Lau Tak Wa since accepting the role had a tangled fate with martial arts. He even got along famous with the film's Head Abbot Master Yuhai and immediately learned Tai Chi from him. Master Yu who has retired for 3 years returned for Lau Tak Wa. They even created "Latin Tai Chi" together and cracked up the set!

Lau Tak Wa in the Emperor film SHAOLIN had exciting fight scenes with Jackie Chan and Nicholas Tse Ting Fung. Always eagar to learn, Wa Jai in order to play his role well began to study Seven Star Fist before the shoot. After the shoot began, when Wa Jai ran into the Head Abbot he asked to study with him.

Actually Master Yuhai who played the Shaolin Abbot had quite a history. A former wushu athlete, he was the best in Tai Chi. 30 years later he played the Abbot in the Jet Li (Lee Nin Kit) starred SHAOLIN TEMPLE. Now over 70 years old he officially retired three years ago, but because he heard Lau Tak Wa, Jackie Chan and director Benny Chan Muk Sing worked together on SHAOLIN he convinced his children to let him return. He hoped to have a representative work before he retired.

With his Latin dance background Wa Jai when not working on a scene learned from Master Yu. Of course the Master demonstrated on the spot. During their exchange they were rather funny. Wa Jai said, "You teach me Tai Chi, I teach you Latin Dance." Thus they began to mix the two and created "Latin Tai Chi". Because they cracked up the team, they became the joy of the studio. Privately, Master Yu was very funny and often had a camera with him. At suitable times he would take photos with Wa Jai. He even mischievously said that he had to show them to his son and grandchild.

Not only was Master Yu happy, Wa Jai was just as happy as they got along famously. Wa Jai had nothing but praise for the Master and his professionalism. Always respectful to his elders, Wa Jai said, "Truly with an elder at home is like having a treasure." Studying Tai Chi with the Master felt very different. Wa Jai said, "The Seven Star Fist earlier is completely different form Tai Chi. Tai Chi is more gentle." Wa Jai also will recommend Tai Chi to Father Lau. He did not give up Tai Chi after the shoot was over. He has been practicing it normally to strengthen his body.