Hong Kong opens exhibit to honor Kung Fu star Bruce Lee

Published July 20, 2013
Fans pay tribute in front of the bronze statue of the late Hong Kong Kung Fu star Bruce Lee in Hong Kong Saturday, July 20, 2013 to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the death of Lee.
Fans pay tribute in front of the bronze statue of the late Hong Kong Kung Fu star Bruce Lee in Hong Kong Saturday, July 20, 2013 to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the death of Lee.
Shannon Lee, daughter of the late kung fu legend Bruce Lee, introduces her family photos at the Hong Kong Heritage Museum.  — Reuters Photo
Shannon Lee, daughter of the late kung fu legend Bruce Lee, introduces her family photos at the Hong Kong Heritage Museum. — Reuters Photo
Pictures of movie scene are displayed at the Lee's memorial exhibition "Bruce Lee: Kung Fu, Art, Life" at the Hong Kong Heritage Museum.
Pictures of movie scene are displayed at the Lee's memorial exhibition "Bruce Lee: Kung Fu, Art, Life" at the Hong Kong Heritage Museum.
A statue of  pop culture icon Bruce Lee is displayed at his memorial exhibition "Bruce Lee: Kung Fu, Art, Life".
A statue of pop culture icon Bruce Lee is displayed at his memorial exhibition "Bruce Lee: Kung Fu, Art, Life".
Pictures of Bruce Lee dancing are displayed at the late Kung Fu star Bruce Lee's memorial exhibition.
Pictures of Bruce Lee dancing are displayed at the late Kung Fu star Bruce Lee's memorial exhibition.
Nunchaku used in the movie is displayed at the late Kung Fu star Bruce Lee's memorial exhibition "Bruce Lee: Kung Fu, Art, Life".
Nunchaku used in the movie is displayed at the late Kung Fu star Bruce Lee's memorial exhibition "Bruce Lee: Kung Fu, Art, Life".
Reflection of a reporter is casted in the mirrors at the late Kung Fu star Bruce Lee's memorial exhibition.
Reflection of a reporter is casted in the mirrors at the late Kung Fu star Bruce Lee's memorial exhibition.
Shannon Lee, daughter of the late Kung Fu star Bruce Lee, poses in front of a promotional poster for Lee's memorial exhibition.
Shannon Lee, daughter of the late Kung Fu star Bruce Lee, poses in front of a promotional poster for Lee's memorial exhibition.
Movie costume is displayed at the Lee's memorial exhibition.
Movie costume is displayed at the Lee's memorial exhibition.

HONG KONG: The late superstar Bruce Lee is best-known for the Kung Fu skills he displayed in his movies, but his daughter hopes that more people take the effort to understand his teachings and life philosophy.

Marking his death 40 years ago Saturday, the Hong Kong government has teamed up with the Bruce Lee Foundation to put together an exhibition to showcase the late star's life, from his famous yellow tracksuit he wore in the movie "Game of Death," to his writings and drawings.

The exhibition that opened Saturday, "Bruce Lee: Kung Fu. Art. Life," has more than 600 items on display, including photos, costumes, videos and even a 3.5-meter (3.8-yard) statue.

Lee, who was born in San Francisco but raised in Hong Kong, died at the height of his fame due to an allergic reaction to painkillers at the age of 32. His last film, "Enter the Dragon," was released six days after his death and became his most popular movie.

Shannon Lee, who was 4 when her father died, said he is still such a strong influence that many make assumptions about her.

"People immediately assume that I am some amazingly skilled and deadly martial artist," said Lee, who added she has studied martial arts but is a 44-year-old businesswomen with a 10-year-old child.

Lee, who is also the president of the Bruce Lee Foundation, said not many people know the depth of her father as a man, with most appreciating only his martial arts skills.

"Hopefully this exhibition will help show a more complete picture" by showing Lee's family side, the hard work he put into making his movies and other aspects of his life such as the poetry he wrote, she said.

"I think a lot of people see the final product up on screen and they go, 'Oh, there's a talented guy,' but they don't see all the effort that went into it," she said.

Lee said working to promote her father's legacy was inspiring because she gets to see "how many lives he's touched in such a positive way, and if I can keep that going, that's meaningful."

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