As difficult as it may be to believe, the legendary Bruce Lee, would have turned 70 years old this year. And while it may — or perhaps not — be difficult to imagine him as a septuagenarian still beating down bad guys, what can’t be denied is decades after his passing, he remains as influential as ever.
In tribute to and in celebration of the martial arts, action film and cultural icon, the 2010 Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival, in association with his widow, Linda Lee Cadwell and daughter Shannon Lee and their Bruce Lee Enterprises, are organizing a Special Bruce Lee Program at this year’s festival beginning sundown Friday, April 30 at the new Madang Center Courtyard in Los Angeles’ Koreatown with a free screening and other events throughout the weekend.
The Bruce Lee celebration kicks off with a free outdoor screening of THE CHINESE CONNECTION and after party on Friday, April 30 and continues the following day at noon with a special screening of ENTER THE DRAGON followed immediately by a panel discussion entitled, “How Bruce Lee Influenced Pop Culture” featuring daughter Shannon, directors Reginald Hudlin (HOUSE PARTY, THE BOONDOCKS) and Brett Ratner (RUSH HOUR, X-MEN 3: THE LAST STAND), ENTER THE DRAGON co-star Bob Wall and musician Joseph Hahn from the rock band LINKIN PARK.
For the celebration’s finale, a special panel discussion entitled, BRUCE LEE: THE FAMILY MAN featuring Linda Cadwell and Shannon Lee and Goddaughter Diana Lee Inosanto takes place 4 p.m. Sunday at The Directors Guild of America.
The full Bruce Lee Birthday Celebration schedule with details:
BRUCE LEE, CULTURAL ICON: 70th BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION
The Los Angeles Pacific Film Festival is pleased to collaborate with Bruce Lee Enterprises in honor of the 70th birthday of martial arts legend and Asian American cultural icon/actor Bruce Lee.
• FREE OUTDOOR SCREENING:
THE CHINESE CONNECTION
Friday, April 30, 7PM, Madang the Courtyard (FREE Parking)
621 S. Western Ave. (one block north of Wilshire Blvd.),
Los Angeles – Koreatown.
Featuring a pre-screening live performance from rock band LiLA (Lost in Los Angeles) Event is free.
THE CHINESE CONNECTION is “the” film that introduced Bruce Lee to young urban and Asian American audiences (contains action and violence; parental guidance suggested) back in the 70’s!
• FESTIVAL SCREENING and PANEL DISCUSSION:
ENTER THE DRAGON
Saturday, May 1, 12:00 p.m., Laemmle Sunset 5
8000 W. Sunset Blvd. (at Crescent Heights), West Hollywood, CA 90046
ENTER THE DRAGON is considered to be the quintessential Bruce Lee film with an all-star cast of marital artists and actors
Plus Panel Discussion: HOW BRUCE LEE INFLUENCED POP CULTURE
A martial artist agrees to spy on a reclusive crime lord using his invitation to a tournament there as cover. Includes a special post-screening panel with Shannon Lee, Directors Reginald Hudlin and Brett Ratner, martial artist/actor Bob Wall and rock musician Joseph Hahn of Linkin Park, and moderated by Phil Yu of angryasianman.com.
This screening and panel discussion is a “ticketed” event Tickets available at www.vconline.org/festival or at box office.
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• SPECIAL PANEL DISCUSSION:
BRUCE LEE: THE FAMILY MAN
Sunday, May 2, 4:00 p.m., Directors Guild of America, Atrium
7920 Sunset Blvd. (one block west of Fairfax Ave.), West Hollywood, CA 90046
An intimate chat with widow Linda Lee Cadwell, daughter Shannon Lee, and moderated by director/stuntwoman/martial artist and God-daughter Diana Lee Inosanto
This event is free.
THE BRUCE LEE 70th BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION is part of the 2010 Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival, which also features 170 films from over 20 countries beginning April 29 and ending on May 8, 2010.
Enter the Dragon (Behind the scenes)
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