This rollicking riches-to-rags tale is loosely based on the life of legendary 19th century martial artist So Chan, one of the Ten Tigers of Canton. Comedic master Stephen Chow portrays So as a spoilt rich kid who excels at fighting whilst he shirks his scholarly ambitions. When the illiterate So is caught cheating on his imperial exams, his family is stripped of its wealth. Joining the Beggars' Sect, he sets forth on the path of righteousness, defending the weak and foiling political intrigue. This "new school" kung fu film first played New York Chinatown’s Music Palace, where NYAFF was born.