Filmgoers in New York, Los Angeles and San Francisco have enjoyed the premiere of the Hong Kong sports and kung fu comedy Shaolin Soccer last weekend.

The movie, written and directed by and starring celebrated Hong Kong comedian Stephen Chow made its American debut.

It will play in all the 10 biggest cities in the United States by early next month.

One of the world's film giants, Miramax, bought the film's copyright last year, adding English captions and humorous music.

Shaolin Soccer tells the story of a young man, played by Chow, who uses his mastery of the kung fu arts of the Shaolin monks to help his underdog soccer team achieve victory.

There's also a love interest in the form of a shy girl, Zhao Wei, who uses martial arts magic to make steamed bread.

The film swept box offices in Hong Kong and south Asia when released in 2001.

(CRI April 8, 2004)