Did you know that there are hundreds of kung fu movies starring Bruce Lee clones? On the occasion of the 50the On the occasion of the death anniversary of the greatest martial arts master of world cinema, the Festival du nouveau cinéma (FNC) presents a series of films that deal with the phenomenon of “Bruceploitation”…
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“Bruceploitation”? This is the name of this cinematic subgenre that emerged in the late 1970s and consisted of continuing the work of Bruce Lee through the production of films with his many doppelgangers.
As part of its 52nd edition, the FNC is currently presenting three “Bruceploitation” films, but also the classic “Enter the Dragon” (starring the real Bruce Lee) and the documentary “Enter the Clones of Bruce”, which deals with the phenomenon of Doppelgänger employs famous actor and martial arts icon.
“Although I grew up watching Asian cinema and martial arts films, I didn’t necessarily know anything about the phenomenon of Bruce Lee clones,” admits Julien Fonfrède, a programmer at FNC, in an interview with the Journal.
“It’s a completely crazy story. [qui est racontée dans le documentaire Enter the Clones of Bruce]. Bruce Lee was an international star like no other. When he died in 1973 at the height of his fame, everyone still wanted him. »
“The Hong Kong film industry is then forced to ask itself the question: But what do we do?” A solution had to be found for the whole world… So they started looking for people who could replace Bruce Lee. .even if no one can really replace Bruce Lee! »
“A Shooting Star”
Actors such as Bruce Le, Bruce Li and Bruce Leung, three of the most famous Bruce Lee doppelgangers, appeared. The FNC also presents two films starring Bruce Le: Challenge of the Tiger (1980) and Ninja Strikes Back (1982).
“There are hundreds and hundreds of films with Bruce Lee clones,” says Julien Fonfrède. And they’re all crazier than the next because they’re scenarios quickly written on the corner of a tablecloth! »
Photo provided by FNC
The year 2023 marks the 50th anniversary of the death of Bruce Lee, who died in July 1973 at the age of 32 as a result of allergic cerebral edema (according to the diagnosis published at the time).
For Julien Fonfrède it was natural that the FNC would pay tribute to this legend of martial arts cinema.
“We could not ignore the disappearance of this actor who was a shooting star but who we know all over the world. It’s simple, everyone knows Bruce Lee! And for me, the films he made are great cinema. »
The FNC lasts until October 15th. Further details about the program: nouveaucinema.ca.