ABOUT THE TEA MOVIE
WATCH TEA: The Drink That Changed The World ON AMAZON
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ABOUT THE TEA MOVIE
Follow Tea’s Epic Journey From Ancient China to Global Icon—Untold Story of History’s Most Daring Tea Heist, Ancient Secrets, Love And War That Changed The World.
Tea, the world’s beloved beverage, steeps a fascinating story never before told. This tea movie immerses viewers in TEA’s epic adventure – how a humble drink became humanity’s universal language.
From mystical Chinese origins to global sensation, tea traverses time and continents. Shot in China’s forbidden Wuyi Mountains, the birthplace of prized Oolong and Black tea, and historic Boston Harbor, the film takes viewers into the mystical realm of tea and experience never-before-filmed Zen Tea Ceremonies and ancient tea-making techniques.
Through a breathtaking visceral journey, viewers witness tea’s profound impact on culture, trade, and world events. From fueling the rise of the British Empire to igniting the American Revolution, tea’s saga is one of global transformation—redrawing borders and changing history.
With its fascinating history, exclusive footage, and global appeal, this documentary immerses audiences in the epic adventure of how a humble beverage became humanity’s universal language.
This visually stunning, intellectually provoking film promises to change how viewers see their daily brew, offering fresh perspectives on our shared human experiences and spiritual connection. Tea is a cup of humanity.
PRAISE FOR TEA: THE DRINK THAT CHANGED THE WORLD
STILLS FROM THE TEA MOVIE
From beautifully restored historical images to pristine photographs on location, this photo gallery showcases our filmmaking journey for this 90-minute feature length documentary: TEA: The Drink That Changed The World.
WHY WATCH TEA: The Drink The Changed The World
Similar to wine-making in France, tea is a living art-form passed down from the monks to the populace in Chinese culture.
In TEA: The Drink That Changed The World, you’ll journey into the forbidden tea regions of China, Wuyi Mountains in Fujian Province, and witness the origin stories of Black tea – Lapsang Souchong and Oolong tea, told by generational tea masters.
You’ll see never-before-filmed Oolong tea-making techniques invented by the Buddhist monks in the Qing Dynasty (mid 1600’s) and passed down from father to son for generations in Wuyi Shan.
From there, you’ll enter beyond the guarded gate of the mystical tea realm, and witness tea’s riveting journey from a humble Chinese drink into a history-changing global phenomenon.
This remarkable tea movie unearths centuries-old-buried-secrets, revealing in glorious footage history’s most audacious tea heist – forever transplanting China’s cultural icon and national trade across the ocean to India and beyond.
TEA: The Drink That Changed The World promises to change the way you look at your cup of tea. You will gain a deeper appreciation and love for your daily cuppa.
WHAT MAKES THIS TEA MOVIE WORTH WATCHING
Inspired by Wuyi Shan’s historic landmark – the River of the Nine Windings – our film – TEA: The Drink That Changed The World presents the epic adventure of tea in nine beautiful chapters:
Chapter I. Legend of Da Hong Pao
Chapter II. Origin of Tea
Chapter III. Oolong in the Making
Chapter IV. Gong Fu Cha Ceremony
Chapter V. The Crown Jewel of Tea (about Lapsang Souchong Black tea)
Chapter VI. Early Tea Trade
Chapter VII. America’s Thirst for Tea
Chapter VIII. A Gold Rush for Chinese Tea
Chapter IV. The Great Tea Raid
Each chapter reveals key aspects of tea’s remarkable journey from China to becoming a global phenomenon. The final chapter culminates in Robert Fortune’s historic tea heist, which transplanted tea from China to India and beyond.
In addition, you’ll discover other unexpected facts steeped in TEA: a simple drink yet flowing with boundless wisdom and humility.
You’ll learn about the “TEA TERROIR,” which makes Wuyi Rock tea or Wuyi Oolong tea, the most exquisite tasting (and also the most expensive) tea in the world.
Have you heard of “Yen Yuen?” It means “Rhythm of the Rock.” Onscreen, tea masters expound on the “Rock Terroir” while performing traditional Oolong tea tastings or Gong Fu Cha.
Meet The Crew
Christy Hui
Director, Writer and Producer
Award-winning storyteller, Christy Hui is known as the creator of XIAOLIN SHOWDOWN and XIAOLIN CHRONICLES. Her latest film, TEA: The Drink That Changed The World, features how tea changed the world. A tea aficionado, Christy takes great pleasure in narrating the film. She looks forward to sharing her love for tea with all the tea drinkers in the world.
Marco Solorio
Director of Photography
Marco Solorio is an award-winning feature filmmaker, skilled in cinematography, editing, scoring and sound design. With over three decades in media creation, he enjoys sharing his experiences and knowledge with the filmmaking community as a published author and international speaker.
The Talent
Mr. Jiang Yuan-Xun 江元勋
Wuyi Heritage Tea Master “Lapsang Souchong” 24th Generation>
Mr. Huang Xian-Yi 黄贤义
Wuyi Heritage Tea Master “Da Hong Pao” 11th generation
Mr. Huang Sheng-Hui 黄圣辉
Wuyi Heritage Tea Master “Da Hong Pao” 12th generation
Linda Zhang
Tea Artist & Connoisseur
Duer Zhang
Wuyi Tea Maker
The Monks
Buddhist Monks
Evan O’Brien
Spokesperson, Boston Tea party Ships and Museum
ActionFliks - The Studio
An award-winning studio, ActionFliks Media is known for its franchises: XIAOLIN SHOWDOWN, which is produced by Warner Brothers Animation, and XIAOLIN CHRONICLES, a co-production with Genao in France. The first TV series ran on Cartoon Network worldwide for four seasons from 2007 to 2011, earning two Emmy Awards.
XIAOLIN CHRONICLES aired on Disney XD, Netflix, and Cartoon Network International, winning a Telly Award for best children’s programming in 2018. This 26-episode series is streaming on Amazon Prime.
TEA: The Drink That Changed The World is a 90-minute documentary, now streaming on Amazon.
"A message from the director: Why I made this film”
ART OF TEA BOOK | PREMIERE EDITION
Made For Tea Lovers! You’ll love our exclusive First Edition of the Art Of Tea Book collection, accompanying the Tea Documentary. Journey through forbidden tea regions of China, restored paintings, and behind-the-scenes magic in this one-of-a-kind Art Of Tea Book.