Key Takeaways:
• Bruceploitation genre originated in the 70s following the untimely demise of Bruce Lee.
• Wong Kin-lung, known as Bruce Le, was a prominent figure in this genre.
• Bruce Le considered it an honour to contribute his martial arts skills to echo the legend of Bruce Lee.
• While initially emulating Lee, he later developed his own style while maintaining the spirit of the legendary actor.
• Bruce Le starred in films like Way of the Dragon 2, Enter the Game of Death and The Clones of Bruce Lee.
• Bruceploitation genre is witnessing a resurgence, with filmmakers recommended to explore work by Bruce Le and Bruce Li.
Remembering The Bruceploitation Origin
When martial arts legend, Bruce Lee, prematurely passed away in 1973 at the age of just 32, an unexpected market emerged in his honour. This predominantly occurred in Asian markets, especially Hong Kong, launching a new wave of filmography known as Bruceploitation.
Bruceploitation & Rising Stars
Amongst Lee’s imitators, was martial arts instructor and actor, Wong Kin-lung, better known as Bruce Le. The genre sought to immortalise the martial arts legend, and Le took it upon himself to do it justice. According to Le, attempting to live up to Lee’s star power and martial arts skills was initially daunting, but the experience soon became an honour.
The Struggle to Develop Unique Style
In filling the massive shoes that Lee had left behind, Le recounts the struggle of developing a unique technique in the explosion of Bruceploitation during the ’70s. Emulating Lee’s dedicated performance wasn’t a mere cakewalk as acting differed significantly from kung fu, Le remarks. Yet, with dedication and perseverance, Le managed to develop his own unique style after starring in about 10 movies, while still adhering to Bruce Lee’s spirit.
The Spirit of Bruce Lee Lives On
Starring in various Bruceploitation films, such as Way of the Dragon 2, Enter the Game of Death, and The Clones of Bruce Lee, Le held the flag high, ensuring the legacy of Bruce Lee didn’t fade away. As a genre, Bruceploitation made no secret of its inspiration and produced a number of noteworthy movies. With the likes of Bruce Le and Bruce Li leading the charge, this genre is a must-explore for every martial arts film enthusiast out there, with a prior understanding of its inspiration, Lee.
Resurgence of Bruce Lee’s Popularity
While the peak of Bruceploitation may have passed, love and admiration for Bruce Lee himself haven’t waned. Renowned director Ang Lee is currently working on a biopic, coming over 30 years after the release of Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story, starring Jason Scott Lee. Fans are keenly awaiting this new addition to the portfolio of films that celebrate the legendary martial artist.
Bruceploitation’s trajectory has indeed been riveting, propelling stars like Bruce Le into the limelight and ensuring the legend of Bruce Lee continues to inspire future generations. For fans of the genre, Bruce Le’s contributions are indeed noteworthy.
How do you perceive the Bruceploitation genre? Which actor and film do you find remarkable in this genre? Share your thoughts in the comments!
