Heritage Museum stages new pop-up display “Bruce Lee: a Timeless Classic” and special programmes (with photos)
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This year marks the 50th anniversary of the passing of the legend martial arts superstar Bruce Lee. The Hong Kong Heritage Museum (HKHM) will launch a series of programmes in July to pay tribute to Bruce Lee including a pop-up display “Bruce Lee: a Timeless Classic”, screenings of movies “The Kid”, “The Way of the Dragon”, “The Big Boss” and “Fist of Fury” starring him, and the launch of Asia’s first Camp Bruce Lee Hong Kong 2023 in collaboration with Bruce Lee Foundation.
The internationally renowned megastar Bruce Lee (1940-1973) introduced Chinese kung fu to the American public through television and film. In 1971, he returned to Hong Kong and made five films, which became classics. Over the years, Bruce Lee had touched the lives of many across time, space and social backgrounds with his signature moves and styles. He had charmed the world with his fists as well as his wits and remained a constant source of inspiration to popular culture ranging from movies, comics, animations to action figures in various manifestations.
The HKHM will showcase some of the finest of Bruce Lee in popular culture, including publications, commemorative stamps and figures in the pop-up display “Bruce Lee: a Timeless Classic” to be held from July 12 to January 1 next year, at 1/F Function Place. Highlight exhibits include a commemorative calendar card for the premiere of the film “The Way of the Dragon” in 1973, publications about Bruce Lee’s Jeet Kune Do and his films, Bruce Lee’s memorial photo album, Bruce Lee life-size bust and “Bruce Lee’s Legacy in the World of Martial Arts” presentation pack.
Moreover, the HKHM and Bruce Lee Foundation also join hands to present the five-day Camp Bruce Lee Hong Kong 2023 from July 18 to 22, which enables 30 students of Primary 4 to 6 to discover Bruce Lee’s legacy and philosophy and practise his messages on confidence and unlimited potential through various fun activities, such as introduction to Jeet Kune Do, a guided gallery tour, workshops on storytelling and drama, mindfulness in Chinese tea ceremony and sand art. Participants will also meet Bruce Lee’s daughter and President of Bruce Lee Foundation, Ms Shannon Lee, online to share what they have learnt and achieved. The day camp was opened for applications in early June and the museum has contacted each successful applicant.
The HKHM also features movies “The Way of the Dragon”, “The Big Boss” and “Fist of Fury” on July 20 at 1/F Theatre of the museum and collaborates with the Hong Kong Film Archive to present at 2pm on July 22 free screening of the movie “The Kid” (1950) in which Bruce Lee took a leading role for the first time when he was 10 years old, which carries very special meaning. A talk will be held after the screening. Actress Alice Fung, who played the role of Bruce Lee’s sister in the film, will join in person and discuss with veteran film researcher Mr Sam Ho the plot and historical background of the movie to let the audience know more about the development of the film industry of the 1950s, Bruce Lee’s career as an actor, as well as the social and cultural context of postwar Hong Kong. Admission is free with limited quota on a first-come, first-served basis. Audience will be admitted to the theatre 15 minutes before the programme commences. The HKHM will also broadcast the talk live on its YouTube channel (www.youtube.com/channel/UCsGlUxolkfsW4K4IQ-nE9ZQ).
Apart from the new pop-up display at the museum’s 1/F Function Place, the day camp and film screenings, visitors are also welcome to visit the “A Man Beyond the Ordinary: Bruce Lee” exhibition at 2/F Thematic Gallery 6 of the museum. Collaborated with Bruce Lee Foundation, this exhibition, launched in 2021, features around 400 exhibits including Bruce Lee memorabilia and photos, a large-scale immersive light and sensory installation “Self．Martial Arts．Emptiness” and other interactive programmes. Through his films, martial arts and life philosophy, visitors will be able to revisit the legend of Bruce Lee. Visitors are also welcome to visit the “Miss you Much Leslie” and “Out of Thin Air: Hong Kong Film Arts and Costumes” thematic exhibitions and “Hong Kong Pop 60+” exhibition which offer free admission.
The HKHM is located at 1 Man Lam Road, Sha Tin. For details of the exhibitions and other programmes, please visit hk.heritage.museum/en/web/hm/highlights.html, or call 2180 8188 for enquiries.
The Leisure and Cultural Services Department launched the first Hong Kong Pop Culture Festival in April 2023 aiming to showcase Hong Kong’s unique cultural creativity and vibrancy through exhibitions, film screenings and pop concerts. For more information on other fascinating programmes of the Hong Kong Pop Culture Festival, please visit www.pcf.gov.hk/en.