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This documentary chronicles the first year in the NBA of Chinese phenom Yao Ming. The 7'6" Yao made quite a splash during his rookie season, including a press-touted feud of sorts with the league's reigning high-profile center, Shaquille O'Neal. The film follows Yao Ming as he struggles to learn the language and make friends while still holding true to the traditional Chinese values he learned. Eventually, he becomes possibly the most recognized Chinese national since Mao Tse Tung, and a hero to millions in his homeland as well as around the globe.

The Year of the Yao premiered at the Toronto Film Festival in 2004, with reviews being positive while still pointing out that the film offers little new information on Yao Ming for fervent basketball fans, nor any insight into its subject beyond superficial observations already well covered by the sports press. Still, for people who enjoy basketball and/or films about same, or for anyone who is interested in seeing how someone from a vastly different culture deals with living in America, the film should generate some interest when it comes to the art-house circuit. (Stephanie Star Smith/BOP)

Vital statistics for The Year of the Yao Director Jim Stern, Adam Del Deo Distributor Fine Line Features Trailer Click Here for Trailer Official Site http://www.yearoftheyao.com/ Rating PG Running Time 87 minutes Screen Count 12 Talent in red has entry in The Big Picture

Comparison films for The Year of the Yao
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Bowling For Columbine	10/25/02	1.08	1.12	111	9704.00	9704.0	21.36	22.20	18.46
Super Size Me	5/7/04	0.52	0.52	41	12601.00	12601.0	11.53	11.53	0.00
Spellbound	5/23/03	0.17	0.17	24	7230.00	7230.0	5.73	5.73	32.53