Fridae

Basketball superstar Yao Ming is a towering figure in more ways
than one.

Not only is the Shanghai-native 7'6'' tall, he has also become
a sort of goodwill ambassador to Chinese people everywhere, and
a beacon of hope for aspiring Asian sportsmen and sportswomen.

This somewhat straightforward documentary charts the first year
of the basketball player's life in the US as he tries to acclimatise
to the American of life — mostly, to its language, habits
and popular culture.

It also shows him trying to adapt to other changes in his life,
such as the loss of privacy and the tremendous demands he faces
from the public and media.

The documentary is hampered a little by Yao's reticence, but you
still can't help liking this gentle giant for his modesty, warmth
and humanity. There are also some great sequences of him doing what
he does best — shooting hoops and slam-dunking.