By Theodore Harris-
A new documentary titled “Enter the Clones of Bruce”is to be released, delving into the surreal era of cinema and shedding light on the absurdity and fascination surrounding films that sought to exploit the untimely death of Bruce Lee.
Bruce Lee’s impact on the world of cinema is undeniable, with his four martial arts movies, particularly “Enter the Dragon,” revolutionizing the international market for kung fu cinema.
Last summer, the 50th anniversary of his death was commemorated in many parts of the world, with special events organised in Japan, China, The U.S and America.
Lee’s untimely death left a void that spurred a wave of imitations and exploitation films, giving rise to the infamous sub-genre known as “Brucesploitation.”
Directed by David Gregory, known for his work on “Lost Soul: The Doomed Journey of Richard Stanley’s Island of Dr. Moreau,” the documentary explores the history and impact of Brucesploitation with a blend of bemusement and reverence for the bizarre tales it encapsulates.
Through interviews with directors, producers, actors, and critics, Gregory paints a vivid picture of a time when actors adopted Bruce Lee-esque stage names to capitalize on his popularity, often resorting to outlandish plots and shameless cash grabs.
One of the documentary’s highlights is its exploration of the actors who portrayed “Bruce Lee” in these films, including Bruce Li, Bruce Le, Bruce Leung, and Dragon Lee, among others.
These individuals, while admirers of Bruce Lee, found themselves thrust into a world of impersonation and exploitation, grappling with the ethical implications of trading on Lee’s name and image.
The documentary also explores the peculiarities of Bruce exploitation films, which often featured absurd storylines and over-the-top action sequences.
Films like “The Clones of Bruce Lee,” where a mad scientist creates clones of Bruce Lee, epitomize the outlandish nature of this sub-genre, offering a mix of cash grabs and quirky charms for cult film enthusiasts.
While “Enter the Clones of Bruce” provides a fascinating glimpse into a bygone era of cinema, it also raises questions about the ethics of posthumous exploitation and the impact on Lee’s legacy.
Gregory speaks to directors, producers, film distributors, critics, fans, and most importantly several of the actors who portrayed “Bruce Lee” — and often adopted Bruce Lee-esque stage names in an attempt to dupe unsuspecting customers out of their hard-earned dollars.
Interviewees the world over attest to how much of a lightning bolt Lee was from the start.
He was pure, intense charisma with a precision to his actions that’s still dazzling to watch, no matter how many times you’ve seen him in action
In Taiwan, there was Bruce Li, who told Gregory that while he admired Bruce Lee and appreciated the opportunity to share Lee’s martial arts moves and philosophy with the world, he strongly disliked taking on his name.
There’s also Bruce Le and Bruce Leung, two different people both kind of pretending to be a third. We also meet Dragon Lee, a South Korean martial artist who appeared in The Real Bruce Lee. (Imagine the level of chutzpah you need to give your movie that title.)
Dragon Lee bears the closest resemblance to the real Bruce Lee, resembling a Bruce Lee that got into absurdly beefy shape.
Several of the biggest Bruce Lee knockoffs even teamed up once, in The Clones of Bruce Lee, about a mad scientist who creates clones of Bruce Lee — i.e. Dragon Lee and Bruce Le, plus two more gentlemen named Bruce Lai and Bruce Thai, who then team up to take the scientist down.
Imagine The Avengers for movies with guys pretending to be Bruce Lee and you’re in the right ballpark of what’s going on here.
As that description suggests, while these films were unabashed cash grabs, they were also not necessarily without their own quirky charms. If cult films appeal to you, there’s no way to walk away from Enter the Clones of Bruce without a whole list of titles to track down
The Dragon Lives Again, a 1977 thriller starring Bruce Leung as “Bruce Lee,” the famous martial artist who dies and then goes to the afterlife, where he he encounters knockoffs of other pop culture icons, including James Bond, the One-Armed Swordsman, Zatoichi, and even Popeye the Sailor Man.)
It also would have been nice if the film included more perspective from Lee’s family, and how they reacted to the shameless mass exploitation of their lost loved one.
What is here, though, is fun and fascinating. The era Enter the Clones of Bruce chronicles wasn’t that long ago, and yet it feels entirely alien to our own.
Think of a movie star who has passed away in the last few years The imagine indie producers had made their own movies trading on his or her likeness without permission for a quick buck.
Then again, these days when an actor dies, they’re not gone forever either.
Recent Star Wars films have featured appearances from the likes of “Carrie Fisher” and “Peter Cushing,” conjured with computers and artificial intelligence. The “ghost” of Harold Ramis helped his old pals in Ghostbusters: Afterlife. So I might be giving our current era more credit than it deserves.
With insights into the era’s cultural context and behind-the-scenes stories, the documentary offers both entertainment and introspection, inviting viewers to reflect on the intersection of fame, legacy, and exploitation in the world of cinema.