On July 20, 1973, Chinese Kung Fu legend, Bruce Lee, passed away in Hong Kong that shocked the Chinese public greatly. Fifty years later on July 20, 2023, the Cantonese Language Program was honoured to collaborate with the Chinatown Storytelling Centre and Theatre Dojo on celebrating the 50th anniversary passing of the Kung Fu legend.
With a full house attendance in both the Cantonese and English sessions, Hong Kong actor, director and playwright, Stephen Au 歐錦棠, spoke about Bruce Lee’s contribution to Hong Kong’s film industry and his impact on Hong Kong and Chinese popular culture.
Raymond Pai presenting with Stephen Au with a range of rare archives – Bruce Lee’s boxing gloves, magazine portals, photographs and posthumous awards.
During the event, Au introduced audiences to a range of rare archives and footages, including photographs, TV awards of Lee, and footages of Hong Kong celebrities commenting on Lee’s legacy that have never been presented to the public. In addition, Professor Christopher Rea of Modern Chinese Literature, and Raymond Pai, Acting Cantonese Language Director, from UBC expanded on the legacy of Bruce Lee in an academic context, connecting Lee’s career to various Asian Studies disciplines and Chinese media culture.
Stephen Au and Professor Christopher Rea
Stephen Au presenting a footage of Bruce Lee in Fist of Fury (1972)
Big thanks to Stephen Au, Professor Christopher Rea, Raymond Pai, and all the event organisers, staff and student volunteers of UBC and Chinatown Storytelling Centre for a smooth and lively event!
Written by: Bernice Chau
Photos by: Ankit Chawla and Galileo Cheng
