By Gabriel Princewill-
Former football England Ace, John Fashanu(pictured) has been invited by The Bruce Lee Foundation as a special guest to the Muckingbird Cinema, where Bruce Lee’s historical Enter The Dragon film will be shown in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of his death.
The screening by The Fighting Spirit Film Festival Presents: Enter The Dragon at 50:A Bruce Lee Retrospective will begin from 3pm, with the Big Boss Return to Thailland Documentary starting at 3.15,, and Q&A session with Director Matt Routledge. Fighting Spirit is a UK based group that organises martial arts and action themed Film Festivals throughout the country. Now in our 7th year, we have hosted events in London and Birmingham, and have built connections internationally with other film festivals in the UK, Spain, USA, South Korea, and Italy, with more in the pipeline.
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The film will be shown in 650 theatres across the world.
Additionally, Bruce Lee’s daughter, Shannon Lee, is unveiling a new anime series House of Lee, from Bruce Lee Entertainment, content platform Shibuya and its co-founder, artist Emily Yang.
House of Lee, the first ever Bruce Lee anime project, will premiere in 2024.
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At 5.15pm the cinema will feature The Big Boss Return To Thailand Documentary and The Enter The Dragon film kicking off at 7pm. All 90 seats are gone.
In a celebration that melds the worlds of sports and cinema, the Muckingbird Cinema is set to host a special event to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the legendary Bruce Lee’s passing. As part of the tribute, former Wimbledon football player and esteemed martial artist, John Fashanu, said he was honoured to be invited.
Fashanu, who runs a successful football academy in Abuja, Nigeria, told The Eye Of Media.Com:
”I am a big fan of Bruce Lee, and trained in Marshal Arts for many years, earning five black belts
”There is a common factor between Martial Arts and football, and that’s self defence. In football during my time, you always had to defend yourself. Whether on the pitch or on the way to the changing room.
Fashanu training in Martial Arts in his youth
The film festival holding the event said the ethos of its organization as being to ”promote, support, inspire, connect and recognize martial arts action through film values”.
Brian Johnson, UK representative of The Bruce Lee Foundation told The Eye Of Media.Com: ”it will be an honour to have John Fashanu as a guest at the Muckingbird Cinema where the 50th anniversary of Bruce Lee will be celebrated is going to be a fantastic occasion. There are a few more events scheduled for London this month too. It will be grand”
The event promises to be a thrilling exploration of the connections between martial arts and football, two seemingly distinct disciplines that share surprising similarities in their principles of self-defense, discipline, and dedication.
This cinematic masterpiece holds immense historical significance in martial arts and popular culture, representing a pivotal moment in Lee’s legacy. The event will not only honour Bruce Lee’s
Fashanu, once a celebrated footballer for Wimbledon, brings an intriguing dimension to the event. Beyond his notable achievements on the football field, he possesses an impressive and lesser-known facet – his passion for martial arts. With an extraordinary accomplishment of holding five black belts in various martial arts disciplines, Fashanu stands as a true sporting polymath. His reverence for Bruce Lee as a martial arts icon is undeniable, making his presence at the commemorative event all the more compelling.
The fusion of Fashanu’s passion for martial arts and his football prowess is where the true significance of his invitation lies. Fashanu’s belief in the parallels between these two seemingly disparate domains sheds light on the shared values that underpin both practices. At first glance, football and martial arts might appear to inhabit different worlds, but a deeper examination reveals striking similarities.
According to Fashanu, one of the most evident connections between the two disciplines is the concept of self-defense. While martial arts prioritize self-defense in a literal sense, football also necessitates a form of collective defense to safeguard the team’s goal. The defenders on the football field serve as the last line of protection, akin to martial artists guarding their own territory. Fashanu’s insights into this shared ethos are set to provide a unique perspective that bridges the gap between martial arts philosophy and football strategy
Personal Journey
Fashanu’s personal journey through martial arts is a testament to his dedication and commitment, mirroring the values he brought to his football career. His training under the tutelage of Shifu Yanzi, a master teacher who has guided thousands on their martial arts journey, speaks to Fashanu’s unrelenting pursuit of excellence. Shifu Yanzi’s influence is apparent in Fashanu’s martial prowess and his belief in the transformative power of disciplined training.
It’s worth noting that Fashanu’s martial arts journey has not only enriched his personal life but has also contributed to his football prowess. The mental fortitude, focus, and self-discipline cultivated through martial arts training have undoubtedly spilled over into Fashanu’s approach to football. His ability to stay composed under pressure and to strategically manoeuvre through challenges can be attributed, at least in part, to the holistic teachings of martial arts.
As the Muckingbird Cinema prepares to pay homage to Bruce Lee’s extraordinary legacy, the inclusion of John Fashanu as a special guest is a move that promises to enrich the commemorative event.
It promises to be an occassion to remember.
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