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Birth of the Dragon

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Birth of the Dragon
Directed byGeorge Nolfi
Written by
  • Christopher Wilkinson
  • Stephen J. Rivele
Produced by
Starring
CinematographyAmir Mokri
Edited byJoel Viertel
Music byReza Safinia
H. Scott Salinas
Production
companies
  • Groundswell Productions
  • Kylin Pictures
  • Anomaly Entertainment
Distributed byBH Tilt
WWE Studios
Release dates
  • September 13, 2016 (2016-09-13) (TIFF)
  • August 25, 2017 (2017-08-25) (United States)
Running time
103 minutes
CountriesUnited States
Canada
China
LanguageEnglish

Birth of the Dragon is a 2016 martial arts action film directed by George Nolfi and written by Christopher Wilkinson and Stephen J. Rivele. The film stars Philip Ng, Xia Yu, and Billy Magnussen. The true story revolves around the young martial artist Bruce Lee, who challenges kung fu master Wong Jack Man in 1965 in San Francisco. Principal photography began on November 17, 2015 in Vancouver. It was selected to be screened in the Special Presentations section at the 2016 Toronto International Film Festival.[1] The film is scheduled to be released on August 25, 2017 by Blumhouse Tilt and WWE Studios.[2][3]

Plot

In 1965, in San Francisco, Bruce Lee, spurred by his student, Steve McKee, challenges Shaolin monk and kung fu master Wong Jack Man to a martial arts fight.

Cast

Production

On February 19, 2013, it was announced that a biopic titled Birth of the Dragon about young martial artist Bruce Lee was in development, writing Christopher Wilkinson and Stephen J. Rivele. QED International and Groundswell Productions would finance and produce the film along with their Bill Block and Michael London, respectively. While Wilkinson and Rivele would also produce the film.[5] On May 30, 2014, George Nolfi was announced to be the director of the film, and Janice Williams was also attached as producer.[6] In June 2015, there was a casting call for the role of Lee, in search for a 20 to 30 years old martial arts expert.[7] Mike Moh was under consideration for the titular role.[8] On November 16, 2015, the film's cast was announced and it included Billy Magnussen as a martial arts student, Steve McKee; Philip Ng as Bruce Lee; Xia Yu as Wong Jack Man; Jingjing Qu as McKee's love interest, Xiulan; and Jin Xing as the brutal crime boss, Auntie Blossom.[4] Chinese company Kylin Films came on board to finance the film, while QED left the project, Groundswell would still produce the film.[9] London would be the producer along with Janice Williams, Wilkinson, Rivele, and Kylin's James H. Pang, while Leo Shi Young, David Nicksay, and Nolfi would executive produce, and Helen Y. Zhong, Jaeson Ma, and Joel Viertel would co-produce the film.[4] Corey Yuen came on board to design the film's action sequences, which is set in 1965 in and around Oakland and San Francisco, about the actual fight between Shaolin Master Jack Man and the young Lee.[4][6]

Filming

Filming was previously scheduled to begin on October 28, 2015 at the North Shore Studios in Vancouver, British Columbia.[10] Principal photography on the film began on November 17, 2015 in the Metro Vancouver area.[4][9][11] Filming would last through January 24, 2016.[11]

Reception

The film has drawn accusations of 'whitewashing' (giving a Caucasian actor the role of an Asian character) from fans, who said that the Bruce Lee film unfairly focused on a fictional male Caucasian character, Steve McKee, who is presented as Lee's friend.[12][13]

Shannon Lee, the daughter of Bruce Lee, distanced herself from the film, saying that the film, like others about her father, "lack a complete understanding of his philosophies and artistry. They haven't captured the essence of his beliefs in martial arts or storytelling."[12]

The film won the Golden Angel Award at the 12th Chinese American Film Festival.[14]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Toronto To Open With 'The Magnificent Seven'; 'La La Land', 'Deepwater Horizon' Among Galas & Presentations". Deadline. July 26, 2016. Retrieved July 26, 2016.
  2. ^ http://deadline.com/2017/02/bruce-lee-birth-of-the-dragon-wong-jack-man-bh-tilt-wwe-studios-george-nolfi-1201899704/
  3. ^ http://deadline.com/2017/05/bruce-lee-pic-birth-of-the-dragon-late-august-release-1202092004/
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i Hipes, Patrick (November 16, 2015). "'Birth Of The Dragon' Finds Its POV & Bruce Lee Ahead Of Kickoff". deadline.com. Retrieved November 17, 2015.
  5. ^ Kit, Borys (February 19, 2013). "Bruce Lee Origin Story Heading to Big Screen". hollywoodreporter.com. Retrieved September 16, 2015.
  6. ^ a b McNary, Dave (May 30, 2014). "Bruce Lee Biopic Draws 'Adjustment Bureau' Director (EXCLUSIVE)". variety.com. Retrieved September 16, 2015.
  7. ^ "Bruce Lee's Biopic 'BIRTH OF THE DRAGON' Lead Role Casting Call". projectcasting.com. June 2, 2015. Retrieved September 16, 2015.
  8. ^ "Casting Call Begins For BRUCE LEE Biopic BIRTH OF THE DRAGON; MIKE MOH Being Considered". maactioncinema.com. Retrieved September 16, 2015.
  9. ^ a b Sneider, Jeff (November 16, 2015). "Philip Ng to Play Bruce Lee in George Nolfi's 'Birth of the Dragon'". thewrap.com. Retrieved November 17, 2015.
  10. ^ Brown, Scott (September 14, 2015). "Bruce Lee biopic begins filming in Vancouver next month". CalgaryHerald.com. Retrieved September 16, 2015.
  11. ^ a b "BIG BUDGET: Bruce Lee Origin Story BIRTH OF THE DRAGON to Film in Vancouver This Fall". yvrshoots.com. August 29, 2015. Retrieved November 17, 2015.
  12. ^ a b Chen, Heather (October 6, 2016). "Birth of the Dragon: Anger over Bruce Lee biopic". BBC.
  13. ^ Shoard, Catherine (October 5, 2016). "Birth of the Dragon: anger over whitewashing of Bruce Lee biopic". The Guardian.
  14. ^ "第十二屆中美電影節星光熠熠——開幕式暨金天使獎頒獎典禮耀動洛城". cafilmfestival.org. Retrieved 2017-05-15.
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