Iron & Silk

Actor/writer Salzman's autobiography provides the source material for this winning semi-documentary outsider's take on contemporary Chinese society. A youthful fan of kung-fu movies, Salzman travels to China, works as an English teacher and falls for student Vivian Wu, while also training with (real-life) martial arts guru Pan Qingfu. Although the film doesn't probe that deeply into the political arena, cultural differences certainly emerge as the enthusiastic protagonist embraces a way of life far removed from his Western upbringing.