Canada's CFP Distribution makes a fine launch of its New York-based stateside operation with the first film by Ang Lee (who has since directed the art-house successes "The Wedding Banquet" and "Eat Drink Man Woman"). The story of a retired tai chai master (Sihung Lung) who has left Beijing to move in with his Americanized son (Bo Z. Wang) and comes into conflict with his son's all-American wife (Deb Snyder), "Pushing Hands" shows the emotional empathy of Lee's later works is no accident.
   Although the motif of pushing hands -- an Oriental exercise that teaches the art of keeping one's balance while unbalancing an opponent -- could have been better worked into the narrative, Lee creates distinct and believable characters and doesn't shrink from letting their inevitable antagonisms play out with life's real complexity. Starring Sihung Lung, Bo Z. Wang and Deb Snyder. Directed and written by Ang Lee. Produced by Ted Hope, James Schamus, Emily Liu and Ang Lee. A CFP release. Drama. In English and subtitled Chinese. Unrated. Running time: 100 min.