American Shaolin

 

 

 

Screenplay by                             Keith W. Strandberg

 

Produced by                               Keith W. Strandberg

 

Directed by                                Lucas Lowe

 

 

 

Cast List:

 

Reese Madigan                                   Drew Carson

Cliff Lenderman                       D.S.

Daniel Dae Kim                                   Gao

Billy Chang                              Li

Alice Zhang Hung                    Ashena

Trent Bushey                           Trevor Gottitall

Kim Chan                                 Master Kwan

 

 

 

FADE IN:

 

 

EXT. NEW YORK CITY SKYLINE – NIGHT

 

ESTABLISHING SHOT OF THE NEW YORK CITY SKYLINE AT NIGHT, THE LIGHTS OF THE CITY SHINING BRIGHTLY.

 

 

EXT. WORKOUT AREA – SAME NIGHT

 

ESTABLISHING SHOT OF MASTER KWAN'S SCHOOL, A RAMSHACKLE BUILDING IN A BURNED OUT ROW OF STORES.

 

His is the only one still occupied, and it doesn't look that permanent. In the window is a cardboard, handwritten sign that reads "Kwan's Shaolin Kung Fu". What remains visible behind the poster and the security grate is an IMPRESSION of people moving and milling around.

 

 

INT. WORKOUT AREA – SAME NIGHT

 

ESTABLISHING SHOT OF KWAN'S SHAOLIN KUNG FU SCHOOL.

 

The students are doing their own thing, and they are a mixture of old and young, men and women. They are not dressed alike, as they would be in a Karate school: they are dressed in old T-shirts and tattered sweat pants. This is not a wealthy school, by any means, and that is typified by the appearance of SIFU KWAN, who is walking through the students as they train. He is wizened old man, 70 years old if he is a day, and he is dressed in a fraying Chinese jacket, scruffy cloth shoes and a discolored Chinese T-shirt.

 

 

ANGLE ON A YOUNG ADULT

 

Struggling through a horse stance, his face in real pain. He is trying his best to hold the stance, but his legs are quivering. He drops out of the stance onto his knees. Master Kwan is right beside him.

 

YOUNG ADULT

Sifu Kwan, was that long enough? It's been 10 minutes...

 

Sifu Kwan shakes his head and puts his hands behind his back as he walks past the student.

 

KWAN

At Shaolin Temple, in misty Songshan mountains, We monks trained in iron palm until our hands bled...

(beat)

... then we trained some more.

 

He walks on, leaving a puzzled student behind.

 

YOUNG ADULT

(getting back into horse stance)

I guess not...

 

 

ANGLE ON KWAN

 

As he walks around the different people training. As one woman is moving through an intricate series of movements, he sighs and rearranges her hands.

 

KWAN

Tiger grasps his tail, not hamburger!

 

He moves on, studying the room with his eyes, often glancing toward the door, and then toward the small clock on a table near the door. It is late, and Kwan is obviously waiting for someone to arrive. As he is waiting, a young STUDENT comes up to Kwan.

 

STUDENT

Master Kwan, when can I learn flying kicks? I see Bruce Lee...

 

KWAN

Bruce Lee actor, we fighters, warriors. A sparrow in flight is beautiful, but a side kick to the ribs is effective. Show me.

 

The boy shrugs and then starts throwing side kicks. Kwan is half looking at the boy and half looking towards the door and the clock. The boy throws three or four kicks and then stops. He is watching Kwan watching the door. Kwan sees him, and turns back to him.

 

KWAN (CONT'D)

(shaking his head)

A Shaolin warrior lets nothing intrude. Continue, never mind.

 

He continues to kick, and Kwan continues to look at the door. Finally, the student stops kicking, half-heartedly bows to the master, and then moves to the side of the workout room. Kwan doesn't know he's gone. Kwan turns around, forgetting for a moment what he is doing, and comes face to face with the mother of a student, MRS. RODRIGUEZ, and she is holding a uniform of some sort. She smiles widely at him and holds up the uniform. It is beautiful, obviously hand made, and on the back is embroidered: "Kwan's Shaolin" and underneath that is "Drew Carson". Kwan takes in the entire outfit, while the rest of the class is gathering around to have a look. They are all very impressed.

 

KWAN (CONT'D)

Never in my days at the Shaolin Temple have I seen uniform as beautiful as this. Thank you, Mrs. Rodriguez. I wish Drew were here to thank you himself. Ta ma de!

 

This last he says looking at the empty door.

 

MOTHER

I only hope it brings him luck in the tournament.

 

KWAN

Luck is no concern, Mrs. Rodriguez. Shaolin warriors depend on heart and soul – that's how they saved the T'ang emporer.

 

He looks again at the door, then claps his hands together, gathering his students around him.

 

KWAN (CONT'D)

Xie Xie, Mrs. Rodriguez.

(to class)

 

During my time training at the Shaolin Temple, the birthplace of the martial arts, I was lucky (glance at Mrs. Rodriguez)... er... fortunate to have the best instructors in the world train me. But, there was also time for individual training – where skills were honed like the blade of a sword. Now, it is that time for you.

 

He turns to go.

 

One of the students, before he can leave, clears his throat.

 

STUDENT 2

What do you want us to do?

 

KWAN

When the blind follow the blind, they both fall over the cliff. Understand?

 

STUDENT 2

No.

 

The others mutter "No" and shake their heads, confused.

 

KWAN

No matter.

 

He exits, leaving his students staring vacantly after him.

 

They look at each other, honestly not knowing what to do.

 

 

EXT. DREW GARAGE – SAME NIGHT

 

ESTABLISHING SHOT OF OLD GARAGE.

 

It is kind of spooky, and there are no lights on outside. There is candlelight inside, and it is moving around – an effect not unlike a ghost carrying a candelabra.

 

 

INT. DREW GARAGE – SAME NIGHT

 

ESTABLISHING SHOT OF INTERIOR.

 

The area is dilapidated, but very clean, with all kinds of kung fu and Chinese paraphenalia lying around. Around the corner comes the spooky light, and (with music building to a crescendo), we see DREW CARSON, a muscular 16/17 year old, bowls of flaming wax on his bare shoulders, moving through the garage, practicing his kung fu maneuvers. He is kicking, punching, etc., occasionally spilling hot wax on his skin (INSERT).

 

In the background is a TV, and on it is showing a martial arts movie.

 

 

ANGLE ON KWAN

 

Who is quietly settling into a shadowy corner of the garage, watching Drew.

 

 

ANGLE ON DREW

 

As he continues to move around the workout area, his arms and body moving as he tries to match the movements on the TV.

 

Suddenly, Kwan jumps out of the shadows, attacking. Drew reacts instantly, evading the attack, the wax sloshing around in the bowls but not spilling (INSERT SHOT HERE). Kwan continues the attack, and Drew evades, their movements matching the movements on the TV almost move for move. It is a beautiful ballet, and Drew ends it by sweeping Kwan down to the ground. When Kwan hits the ground, hard, his face is lit by the TV screen.

 

 

ANGLE ON DREW

 

Who, for the first time, sees that it is Kwan.

 

DREW

MASTER KWAN!

 

He hurries over to his master, a concerned look on his face.

 

He leans down to help Kwan up, forgetting about the bowls of hot wax. It pours down on Kwan, scalding him, as well as running down Drew's chest. Kwan struggles to get up, while at the same time trying to wipe the hot wax off.

 

DREW (CONT'D)

Master Kwan! I'm sorry, very sorry!

 

KWAN

(blustering)

I'm OK, never mind! What are you doing anyway?

 

 

DREW

 

Is taking the glued-on cups of wax off his shoulders, while peeling the already hard wax off his chest.

 

DREW

Practicing. I saw it in this movie...

 

Kwan shakes his head and walks over to Drew, standing in front of him.

 

KWAN

Why didn't you come to class? Why waste time with this... Should study tapes of opponent.

 

DREW

I'll still win. Besides, the Shaolin monks never had tapes to study... they did it this way... right?

 

KWAN

Not quite – our drills at the temple had meaning. If we had tapes, we would have watched them.

 

Drew starts to protest, but Kwan doesn't even let him start.

 

KWAN (CONT'D)

"The warrior who knows himself and his opponent will win 100 times in 100 battles." Study the tapes I gave you. All these years of one on one training – you're the best I've ever taught.

 

DREW

The best?

 

KWAN

Best white boy, maybe. Just fight like a Shaolin warrior – the rest will take care of itself.

(picks up tape)

Face reality, before it breaks your jaw!

 

Drew holds out his hand for the tape, and Kwan slaps it into his hand. Drew smiles a defeated smile and turns toward the VCR, when Drew's stepfather, BOB, walks in. He is a big, overweight man, and he is very angry.

 

BOB

(shouting)

Are you screwing around with this stuff again?

 

DREW

Look, Bob, I'm not bothering you, am I?

 

BOB

It's your attitude that bothers me, son.

 

DREW

I'm not your son, Bob. Lay off.

 

It is a threat, one that Bob almost takes up. Kwan feels the tension in the room, and starts to say something.

 

BOB

(cutting him off)

Don't say a word, yellow man.

 

 

REACTION SHOT OF KWAN

 

Closing his already opened mouth.

 

BOB (CONT'D)

You're here because I told your Mom I'd see you were taken care of... after. At least respect my wishes, and make something of yourself... Stop wasting your time!

 

DREW

(sarcastic)

When I'm the best fighter in the country, I'm not going to let you be part of my entourage...

 

BOB

You mean when you're in jail...

 

DREW

Just leave me alone, Bob, OK? I NEVER asked for anything from you.

 

He spins and kicks one of the hanging bags, then walks out of the workout room, leaving Bob and Kwan standing alone.

 

Kwan looks at Bob, who towers over him, and smiles sheepishly.

 

KWAN

Pressure. Big tournament this weekend.

 

He starts to walk out, but Bob follows him.

 

BOB

How would you have liked having to take care of a kid you never really wanted... ?

 

KWAN

I wish I had the chance...

 

Kwan exits, and we...

 

 

EXT. TREVOR ESTATE – DAY

 

ESTABLISHING SHOT OF TREVOR GOTTITALL ESTATE, A HUGE PALATIAL SPREAD.

 

The grounds are immaculate and huge, exquisitely kept and beautifully laid out. A gathering is around the pool and lawn area, where TREVOR and his team are having an exhibition for their guests. Polite applause is

 

COMING FROM THE CROWD, ALL WELL-DRESSED AND OBVIOUSLY WELL-HEELED.

 

 

ANGLE ON TREVOR

 

As he knocks out an opponent.

 

 

ANGLE ON CROWD

 

Applauding.

 

 

ANGLE ON TREVOR

 

Taunting a different opponent. Trevor executes a beautiful technique and puts the guy down and out.

 

 

ANGLE ON TEAM

 

(Psychologist, therapist, masseur, etc.) who are cheering Trevor on.

 

 

ANGLE ON TREVOR

 

As he plays with the next fighter.

 

TREVOR

They said you were good... ha!

 

He knocks the guy out with a picture perfect kick. There is no denying that he's a superior fighter.

 

TREVOR (CONT'D)

Can't you get me any quality sparring partners?

 

The next guy comes up, but before they can start, the psychologist, DR. PFEELGUT, calls for "Time" and motions Trevor over.

 

PFEELGUT

It's not enough just to win, Trevor. You have to destroy your opponent completely, mentally and physically. Beat him once, he's a threat. Humiliate him, and he'll fear you forever.

 

Trevor listens to this, nods his head once, and when Pfeelgut goes to leave, Trevor pushes him into the pool.

 

Pfeelgut comes to the surface, smiling.

 

PFEELGUT (CONT'D)

Exactly!

 

Trevor goes back to the ring. He really takes it to this guy, alternately playing with him and hurting him. As the guy tries to hold his own, the string to his pants comes loose and they start to fall down. He grabs for them with both hands, and Trevor starts to back up, laughing with the rest of the group.

 

 

ANGLE ON PFEELGUT

 

Toweling off, who is yelling to Trevor.

 

PFEELGUT (CONT'D)

GET HIM! NOW!!

 

Trevor looks at him for a moment, not really understanding, then sees what the psychologist is saying. He lunges immediately forward and (in SLOW MOTION) knocks the guy out while he is still trying to pull his pants up.

 

 

ANGLE ON CROWD AS THEY ENJOY THE SHOW IMMENSELY

 

Trevor has learned the lesson of the day, and he walks off.

 

 

INT. TREVOR HOUSE – SAME DAY

 

ESTABLISHING SHOT OF TREVOR BEING PAMPERED BY HIS ENTOURAGE

 

The masseur is massaging his shoulders, a woman is doing a pedicure and another is doing a manicure. An exercise physiologist is going over a computer print out with Trevor, when an old Korean master, MASTER KIM, comes into the room.

 

TREVOR

Ah, Master Kim.

(to physiologist)

I'll look at these stats later.

 

Trevor indicates a seat near him, much lower than the one he is sitting in. The Korean master prefers to remain standing.

 

TREVOR (CONT'D)

Are all you guys named Kim? So, what did you think?

 

KIM

(thick accent)

You velly good fighter...

 

TREVOR (CONT'D)

Learn English, will ya? And, tell me something I don't know...

 

KIM

A mountain lion doesn't ponder his weakness, and is therefore vulnerable.

 

TREVOR

(after a beat)

Well, I'm pretty damn tired of this fortune cookie crap.

(beat)

You're history. Chaunce, get ride of the bum.

 

The butler, CHAUNCY, comes forward and walks up to Master Kim.

 

CHAUNCY

Very good, sir.

 

TREVOR

Don't come here any more, you hear? Over a little more to the left, Sam.

 

The masseur nods and adjusts his technique accordingly.

 

TREVOR (CONT'D)

It's hard being me, you know. So much pressure...

 

 

EXT. COLISEUM – DAY

 

People are streaming into the large building. The marquee out front reads "Diamond Nationals".

 

 

INT. COLISEUM – SAME DAY

 

ESTABLISHING MONTAGE OF TOURNAMENT: CROWDS AND COMPETITORS.

 

(SOME IDEAS, NOT IN ORDER)

 

Competitors warming up (wall front stretch, very high; one guy kicking another in the head – tap, tap, tap; two man routine practicing – another one jumps in?; two beautiful girls sparring; crowd assembling; group of kids waiting – call comes over public address system, they run off; stand outside selling high tech equipment; different styles of fighter's clothes – camo, stars & stripes, "headhunter"; stern 9 year old girl doing kata; two toddlers barely seen through their safety equipment fighting furiously; two twins doing identical kata; breaking; etc.)