Description: In this powerful and inspiring story, Chinese basketball superstar Yao Ming faces incredible challenges - on the court and off - as he journeys from Shanghai to the Houston Rockets to become a true global hero. Exciting and insightful, critics are calling this winning tale a "fascinating saga."
Amazon.com: Hoosiers and Glory Road are rousing underdog sports films based on inspiring true stories. The Year of the Yao is the real thing, a satisfying chronicle of the international superstar's tumultuous rookie year. It is doubtful that any NBA player had to withstand the type of scrutiny that the 22-year-old Ming endured. The first-overall draft pick in 2002, the NBA's first Chinese player was expected to make the Houston Rockets an instant playoff team, though he was unaccustomed to the speed and aggressiveness of American-style basketball. He was also seen as "a walking advertisement" and ambassador for expanding China's place on the world stage. Yao carried all the pressure on his seven-foot, six-inch frame with aplomb, aided immeasurably by Colin Pine, who put off law school to become his interpreter. Yao's story plays like the stuff of Hollywood fiction, from his disastrous debut that inspired TV commentator Charles Barkley to promise to kiss his co-anchor's backside if Yao ever scored 19 points in a game to his emergence as a bona-fide superstar of Shaq proportions. Historical snapshots of China put Yao's story into cultural context, making The Year of the Yao compelling viewing even to those for whom basketball is foreign. --Donald Liebenson
Inspiring documentary I watched this documentary in the theatres, and it was an "upper" that got your spirits up with suspenseful scenes like the footage of the Yao Ming/Shaq showdowns. The musical score made it very entertaining making this relaxing, easy viewing. It was inspiring to see such a young guy like Yao Ming to appear so mentally strong when confronted with so much media attention and other pressures coming from many directions.
Racism After reading Jeffery Mingo's review, my first impression is that the world is getting better but still exists racism. If it is really "an entirely African-American team", does that mean white people are really so weak and can't make the team? I feel it's not about race. It's about peace of love without boundaries of race, country and culture. "When you want to know your neighbors, first reach your neighbors."
Yao: Issues of Sport, Nation, and Race This was typical of a sports documentary. There are many shots of him on the court, sports talking heads analyzing him, and famous people providing comments (Michael Jordan, Phil Jackson, even President Clinton!). Throughout, I wondered why this was in theaters, rather than on some ESPN channel. I think it's because of the length of the work.
So long for ideas that the East and West will never meet! Still, the same archetypes appeared. Yao played with emphasis on the group, rather than his own individuality. He protected aspects of his privacy, rather than scratching to gain attention.
For those who think he's hot (and I include myself in that), you get to see his chest thrice. He has a deep, virile voice, whether speaking in Mandarin, or attempting English. He has a scar on the back of one arm that no one very explains. You get to see that his parents are tall too. Most importantly, they are reserved and stoic just like he is. The point that stood out the most to me was when Kobe encouraged Yao to "get loose!" Culture isn't just reflected in accents and dress, but body language as well.
I thought too much focus was placed on Yao's American (read: white) interpreter. He is interviewed more than Yao. I think he was meant to make your typical sports fan (white, male, American-born) have someone with which to identify. Thus, the person most likely to see this documentary also saw a version of himself in the spotlight. Yes, this work emphasizes Eastern-Western unity. Still, why couldn't a Chinese-American person be Yao's interpreter? They never did mention what were the interpreter's qualifications over other individuals who could have done the job.
Yao seemed to be on an entirely African-American team, yet East-West was often read as white-yellow. Why couldn't it have been yellow-black, like in the "Rush Hour" series? Shaq makes a statement that upset some Chinese Americans. Admittedly, I couldn't find myself getting upset over it the way Fuzzy Zoeller's comments about Tiger Woods made me livid. Even Yao stated, "That's Shaq just being Shaq."
Many have stated that Americans see race while the rest of the world sees nation. This documentary supports that idea. Yao and the Chinese nationals interviewed here, always said "Chinese" this and that. On the other hand, all of the Americans, including Asian-Americans, said "Asian" this and that. The film only hints at this, but Yao's presence seems to have invigorated support and attendance of Asian Americans in/with NBA programs. The interpreter said, "Yao wants to advertise the sport, not race." However, was this again just meant to make the most likely viewer of this documentary comfortable?
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