SCREENPLAY THE BATTLE OF THE SHAOLIN NINJA’S
争斗繁體中文版 WRITTEN BY RAJEEV BAMRA REVIEWED BY RUPINDER SEHMI & MANRAJ BAMRA 28TH AUGUST 2006 [1 DRAFT. INCOMPLETE) ST
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SCENE 1. INT. BRIGHT ROOM. CHINA. 1988. DAY RUPI, MUGS, MASTER, good looking, smart and immaculate, demonstrating their martial arts ability & fight styles. Text on screen reads; RUPI SHAOLIN KUNG-FU & JEET KUNE DO
MUGS SHAOLIN KUNG-FU & DRUNKEN BOXING
MASTER WING CHUNG, SHAOLIN KUNG-FU, WUSHU & JEET KUNE DO
RUPI, 21, student undertaking I.C.T at University whilst in his spare time he is an enthusiastic video games junkie. His passion and devoted attention is on his study of Shaolin Kung-Fu where he trained alongside fellow student MUGS at the school of Sil-Lum-Kune. Mugs, 18, a drug addict, alcoholic and a menace to society. His interests include fighting and going to football matches to cause violence. However, since a young age his late father had taught him the art of Shaolin Kung-Fu which he still practises on a regular basis. Master, unknown age, was born and raised in England then immigrated to China after he received his black belt 3 rd degree at the school of Sil-Lum-Kune. Has taught RUPI and MUGS since they were young, he’s their master. FADE TO BLACK SCENE 2. INT. THE SHAOLIN MONASTERY. CHINA. 1988. DAY. The MASTER dressed in everyday modern clothes walking around in a circular motion in a temple/derelict environment, talking to RUPI and MUGS about their current training and his thoughts & expectations about each
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fighter. The background.
sounds
of
piano
symphonies
are
in
the
MASTER WELL WELL THROUGHOUT YOUR FOURTEEN YEARS OF YOUR NINJA TRAINING
CUT TO: RUPI and MUGS are grinning to each other, knowing they are untouchable and champions at heart. Little do they know… CUT TO: MASTER I HAVE BEEN VERY IMPRESSED WITH THE LEVEL OF COMMITMENT THAT YOU YOUNG DRAGONS ARE SHOWING WHICH IS WHY I HAVE BROUGHT OUT TO THIS HOLY MONESTRY.
CUT TO: RUPI and MUGS are looking around the environment, quiet impressed with what they see. CUT TO: MASTER I HAVE A PROPERSITION FOR YOU BOTH
Camera zooming in slowly framing the MASTERS face as he unveils the news. However he is slightly hesitant to do this. The piano symphony slows mutes. CUT TO: RUPI YEAH, WELL TELL US MASTER
MUGS ITS NOT ONE OF YOUR CRAZY IDEAS IS IT?
CUT TO: MASTER looks at MUGS in confidence. MASTER I WANT YOU TO FIGHT YOU BOTH SEPERATELY TO SEE IF YOU ARE PREPARED.
CUT TO: RUPI FOR WHAT MASTER? BUT WHY?
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MUGS ARE YOU FEELING OKAY?
CUT TO: MASTER walking towards the young dragons putting his arms on their shoulder as he explains. As the sound of the piano symphony comes back in. MASTER I WANT TO ANALYSE YOUR PERFORMANCES AND TO SEE IF YOU HAVE LEARNT ANYTHING I HAVE TAUGHT YOU.
CUT TO: MUGS Er... Ok
RUPI ANYTHING YOU SAY MASTER!
CUT TO: They both walk off with their hands on their chin thinking about what is going to happen and how to prepare for this encounter. Meanwhile MASTER has been left on his own whilst he is chuckling to himself. The piano symphony now stops. FADE TO BLACK SCENE 3. INT. SHAOLIN MONASTERY GARDEN. CHINA. 1988. DAY. MASTER is relaxing in the garden of the monastery as somebody pays a visit. It is MUGS as he sits down next to the master. MASTER ARE YOU READY?
MUGS I WAS BORN READY!!
CUT TO: They both get up and take their places. They both pay their respect as the test begins.
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A sound of a Chinese dong appears as they begin to fight. MUGS tries his best to fend off the MASTER with a series of blocks and counter attacks which can be deadly if hit on a normal man. The MASTER toys with MUGS as the fight draws to a close. They both pay each other respect. CUT TO: MASTER I AM ASTOUNDED BY YOUR LEVEL OF SKILL MUGS. YOU ARE STILL YOUNG AND SHOWING GREAT PROGRES TO BECOME A CHAMPION.
MUGS OH THANKS BOSS. YOU WERE GOOD TOO.
MASTER NOW YOUR TEST HAS COMPLETED.
CUT TO: MASTER raises his arm to the direction of the exit. MUGS starts walking away whilst MASTER calls on RUPI. CUT TO: RUPI walks towards MASTER with a smile on his face looking very confident. They are now face to face to one another. RUPI HEY MASTER. YOU WANTED TO SEE ME. IS IT TIME?
MASTER YES
CUT TO: Both competitors take their places and await the song of the Chinese dong. RUPI comes in with the first offence with a number and a variety of punches and kicks. MASTER is blocking and waiting for the right opportunity to counter attack. Finally the MASTER has been granted with a chance on a silver platter and starts his offence as RUPI is on the back foot. It is somewhat like a basket ball match as the fight can go both ways. The fight draws to a close and both pay their respects. CUT TO:
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MASTER looking exhausted, showing his age a little as RUPI still looks in good shape as if he is ready & capable to take on another 100 fighters. RUPI ARE YOU OK MASTER?
MASTER YES, IM FINE. JUST GETTING OLD.
CUT TO: RUPI AHEM. OK
RUPI is not convinced that the MASTER is healthy as he looks with uncertainty and walks away. The MASTER sits down with a smile on his face. Very impressed with what he has taught his two young students as the scene draws to a close. Meanwhile RUPI and MUGS are on the way back to their native homes. FADE TO BLACK SCENE 4. INT. RUPI’S PENTHOUSE. NEW YORK. 1998. DAY 10 years later. RUPI walks towards his stereo and turns on a song. The song is by the late AALIYAH called “Try Again” as prepares to train. His everyday usual routine to fulfil is dream of becoming the ultimate fighter. His movements are flawless as he slowly stops to answer his mobile phone. The phone is ringing... CUT TO: RUPI HELLO???
Slight pause… CALLER HELLO RUPI...
The voice of the caller sounds somewhat familiar as RUPI finally distinguishing the identity of the caller. Looking rather shocked as he has not heard anything from this somebody for a while.
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RUPI HELLO MASTER...
MASTER V/O IT’S BEEN A LONG TIME. IT’S BEEN 10 YEARS HASN’T IT?
RUPI YES I HAVE BEEN UNDER YOUR INTENSIVE TRAINING PROGRAMME THERES SURELY A REASON WHY YOU HAVE CALLED DID YOU WANT TO TAKE TO ME ABOUT SOMETHING?
Slight pause... MASTER V/O YES I DO
RUPI AND WHATS THAT?
MASTER V/O THERE IS A PRESTIGIOUS TOURNAMENT ON AND I WANT YOU TO COME AND FIGHT!!!
RUPI WHY? YOU KNOW I’LL WIN IT
MASTER V/O THE TOURNAMENT WILL PROVE THE ULTIMATE FIGHTER
RUPI I DON’T NEED TO PROOVE ANYTHING. I AM THE BEST IN THE WORLD.
MASTER V/O PROVE IT…
CUT TO: The scene draws to an end as the camera zooms out from RUPI’S face. FADE TO BLACK
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SCENE 5. INT. MUG’S APARTMENT. LOS ANGELES. 1998. DAY MUGS is break dancing in his room to the sound of NWA’S “Express Yourself”. He has now become a part time rapper appearing in bars and clubs regularly and also concentrating on his ninja training. There is a knock on the door. He is very reluctant to answer it. He opens the door and a scroll letter has been delivered by a hippy postman. MUGS THANKS DUDE!!!
CUT TO: MUGS flicks open the letter and reads for a while… a slight pause as he digests the detail. It says “YOU HAVE BEEN INVITED TO A TOURNAMENT COMPETITION TAKING PLACE ON 13 TH JULY 1998 AT THE SHAOLIN MONASTERY (少林功夫) ON THE NORTH SIDE OF SHAOSHI ON MOUNT SONG, CHINA, BELONGING TO EMPEROR XIAOWEN. THE COMPETITION WILL PROOVE AN ULTIMATE FIGHTER OF THE WORLD. REGARDS – MASTER”
MUGS WOW IT’S MASTER! I MUST GO RIGHT AWAY! DIS IS GONNA BE OFF DA HEEZY!!
SCENE 6. INT. SHAOLIN MONASTERY 少林功夫. CHINA. 1998. DAY A sunny bright afternoon in the depths of the Shaolin Monastery in Shaoshi built on top of Mount Song. The MASTER and RUPI finally meet after 10 years. RUPI is still looking young and athletic as the MASTER is growing old with a stereotypical Chinese beard. They greet and show respect Xiaowen’s shrine.
to
the visage
of
Emperor
MASTER WE FINALLY MEET AGAIN
RUPI IT’S GREAT TO SEE YOU IN THIS HOLY ATMOSPHERE AND HONORED TO MEET YOU ONCE AGAIN
MASTER THE HONOR IS ALL MINE
CUT TO:
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Another competitor, fashionably late, arrives at the Shaolin Monastery with a ridiculous amount of luggage. He dumps them in front of the steps which lead to the courtyard. He is dressed in urban clothing and wearing Ray-Ban sunglasses as he tries to locate the MASTER. CUT TO: As he smells the scent sticks coming from the shrine he sees MASTER and comes to greet them. MUGS SUP GANGSTER?
CUT TO: The look on RUPI’s face is a sign of embarrassment because of the lack of respect he is showing in the shrine and to the MASTER himself. CUT TO: RUPI and the MASTER are now standing together with the photo of the Emperor Xiaowen prominent in the background. CUT TO: Whilst bowing down to his students. RUPI is not showing any respect to the late comer as he keeps pointing and patronising. CUT TO: RUPI finally recognises who is opponent is. It is his fellow student MUGS who he hasn’t seen for 10 years and begins to apologise for his actions and he formally greets him.
RUPI MY APOLOGIES MUGS. I DID NOT QUIET RECOGNISE YOU WITH YOUR NEW STYLE HOW ARE YOU DOING?
MUGS IM SAFE NOW LETS JUST GET RIGHT TO DA POINT YO MASTER TELL ME MO’ BOUT DIS TOURNAMENT
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CUT TO: MASTER just barely understands what MUGS is saying as he sits down on the floor with his legs crossed. RUPI AND MUGS do the same as the MASTER begins to speak. MASTER THIS IS A TOURNAMENT FOR ONLY THE GREATEST FIGHTERS IN THE WORLD THERE ARE ONLY TWO COMPETITORS THE WINNER WILL BE CROWNED WITH THE STATUS: THE ULTIMATE FIGHTER
CUT TO: MUGS and RUPI look at one another, glancing into each others eyes by the prospect of having the honour to become the greatest. CUT TO: MASTER IF YOU HAVENT ALREADY GUESSED YOU WILL BE FIGHTING EACH OTHER THE TOURNAMENT WILL CONISIT OF THREE ROUNDS THE BEST OF 3 ARE YOU PREPARED?
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