Empty Mind Films – Chen Village

2500 repetitions Tai Chi Chuan (Includes Extra Bonus Movie) In China, it is simply known as Taiji Village.
When you first arrive, you’re struck by how ordinary it is.
Nonetheless, it is noteworthy as the origin of Tai Chi Chuan and the Chen family.
As our tour progresses through Chen Village, where 2,500 of the 3,000 inhabitants practice Tai Chi, you will understand just how extraordinary it is.
Chen hamlet looks to offer nothing in the isolated countryside of northern Henan.
Chen hamlet, like many of rural China, suffered greatly during the Cultural Revolution, and it remains an impoverished community populated primarily by farmworkers.
Nonetheless, being the origin of Tai Chi Chuan, it remains one of the most important places in Martial Arts.
The Chen family, the Chen style’s standard bearers for 400 years, continues to teach Tai Chi Chuan at the village’s Tai Chi school.
The Chen style was at an all-time low until recently, and while eighty percent of the community still practices it, this original form was barely recognized outside of China.
This is an intimate journey to Chen village to learn how the current generations of the family, particularly its patriarch Chen Xiaowang, have saved the Chen style from obscurity and why hundreds of Tai chi students from all over the world make the long pilgrimage to this small village in rural China every year.
Hear the western students’ experiences of life in the country and training, and while they are not supposed to farm or labor in the fields, they are expected to live like a martial artist would in rural China… extremely hard and harsh! Chen Xioawang, Chen Xiaoxing, Chen Bing, Chen Ziqiang, and many others appear.
The film lasts 80 minutes and includes 15 minutes of extra video of the Chen masters.
Jon Braeley directed with Betty Yuan assisting.
Vi An and other musicians contributed to the soundtrack.
As our adventure progresses, you will understand how amazing Chen hamlet and its people are.
The following are included: Chen Xiaowang, Chen Xiaoxing, Chen Ziqiang, Chen Bing, and others.
Chen Xiaowang is the standard bearer of Chen style Taijiquan and the 19th generation lineage holder.
Chen Fake, the legendary Taijiquan grandmaster, was his grandpa.
Chen Xiaowang began studying Chen style Taijiquan when he was seven years old, first with his father, Chen Zhaoxu, and then with his uncles, Chen Zhaopi and Chen Zhaokui.
Recognized as one of four “Buddha’s Warrior Attendants,” or exceptional 19th generation exponents in Chen village or Chenjiagou.
Chen Xiaowang now spends the most of his time outside of China, instructing at Chen style seminars and training camps across the world.
Chen Xiaoxing, the younger brother, wants to remain in Chen village and operates the Tai chi school.
He famously said: “I have no reason to leave Chenjiagou.
Everything I require is right here.” His decision to stay in the country is both practical and spiritual.
Chenjiagou’s physical seclusion creates an increasingly rare environment for pure, unadulterated martial training.
Outsiders from China and around the world visit the town in search of a concentrated training experience that has remained mostly unaltered for almost 400 years.
UPC: 753182164465
The language is English (Subtitles)
Duration: 80 minutes Audio: 5.1 Dolby Surround Sound Format: 16:9 Widescreen Standard DVD Worldwide Region