How Bruce Lee Influenced Pop Culture
Did you watch How Bruce Lee Changed the World on the History Channel?
For fans, seeing a compilation of this charismatic master of movement is always awesome. However, the very title of the documentary, provocative and grandiose, and the fact that it was on the History Channel, set up intellectual expectations that were quickly dashed from the very opening. Disappointing. The excessive focus on contemporary celebrities weakened this attempt to examine Lee as a cultural phenomenon, an inspiring symbol for the global village. There is nothing of the man himself, only his brilliantly created media persona, the ultimate martial arts fighter, is perpetuated.
That this intense, innovative and iconoclastic individual who fought Hollywood racism and Asian stereotyping should inspire athletes, artists, and creative individuals is obvious. But it does not logically follow that he directly contributed to their fields: rap music, fitness, break dancing, free running, etc.
In martial arts, Lee’s impact is absolute. He is the father of mixed martial arts. In Chinese philosophy, however, though Lee earnestly introduced common Daoist and Zen sound bytes in his films, to regard him as a great philosopher – or a “minor prophet” as one called him – is stretching our intelligence.
Attempting to examine Lee from a historical East/West perspective was perfunctory and shallow. The lack of deep interviews with his martial art contemporaries and friends, reminiscing instead by way of young directors like Brett Ratner and LLCool J seemed to leave the project lacking. Although it was a well intentioned homage to the young master, aside from the film montages, and entertaining moments, seeing Lee’s legacy transforming into new commercial context, was unsatisfactory. If it was called How Bruce Lee Influenced Pop Culture, it would work. As a historical documentary, it not only diminishes Bruce Lee’s profound significance but also diminishes history.
Lawrence Tan
Download our free Shaolin Crane ebook http://www.tandao.com/ebook/
Watch TanDao Snake and other videos http://www.tandao.com/videos/
