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Thread: The Black Kungfu Experience

  1. #1
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    The Black Kungfu Experience

    This is a new doc by our former editor, Martha Burr, and her film partner Mei Juin Chen (see Shaolin Ulysses: Kungfu Monks in America: New PBS Documentary Coming This Spring By Martha Burr in our Jan+Feb 2002 issue).

    Here's the ITVS site.
    The Film

    Meet kungfu’s black pioneers and heroes who fluorished at the junction of African American and Asian cultures. The Black Kungfu Experience traces the rise of black kungfu in the United States in the 1960s and 1970s, and resonates in the contemporary martial arts scene in Washington D.C, Los Angeles, The Virgin Islands, Jamaica, and Hong Kong. Chinese and African American experiences evolve differently yet converge in unexpected ways; they challenge political and social persecution – from shadows of the Qing government’s oppressive rule in China, and British colonialism in Hong Kong, to entrenched American racism – with the unique vehicle of kungfu.

    The film focuses on group of African American pioneers became respected masters in a subculture dominated by Chinese and white men. Their stories illustrate how kungfu was – and still is – a unique crucible of the black experience, which is less about flash and style, kicks and punches, than it is about community, identity, and cross-cultural bridges.
    We'll have more on this to come.
    Gene Ching
    Publisher www.KungFuMagazine.com
    Author of Shaolin Trips
    Support our forum by getting your gear at MartialArtSmart

  2. #2
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    Coming next month

    Gene Ching
    Publisher www.KungFuMagazine.com
    Author of Shaolin Trips
    Support our forum by getting your gear at MartialArtSmart

  3. #3
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    The Black Kung Fu Experience

    Anyone else catch this on PBS last night?

    It featured Ron Van Clief, Dennis Brown, Donald Hamby, and another guy who i'm not familiar with.
    It is better to have less thunder in the mouth and more lightning in the hand. - Apache Proverb

  4. #4
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    I am not sure if this is the same thing or not. But, the forums own Phil Redmond was involved in some sort of Documentary about Black or African American Masters.

    Unfortunately, I did not get to see this last night, did not even know it was on.

    Just looked at the link and it does not appear that this is the same thing which Phil was involved in.
    Still looks very interesting though.
    Last edited by Sihing73; 02-04-2013 at 01:55 PM.
    Peace,

    Dave

    http://www.sifuchowwingchun.com
    Wherever my opponent stands--they are in my space

  5. #5
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    Check your local listings

    Read The Black Kungfu Experience: A New Documentary on PBS By Martha Burr in our MAR+APR 2013 issue.

    Martha just sent us some showing times for the SF Bay Area:
    San Francisco
    KQEDDT 2/24 6pm
    2/27 11pm
    2/28 5am
    KQUED WORLD
    2/19 12noon
    San Fran/San Jose
    KQEHDT2
    2/24 6pm
    Gene Ching
    Publisher www.KungFuMagazine.com
    Author of Shaolin Trips
    Support our forum by getting your gear at MartialArtSmart

  6. #6
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    I would love to watch this. I once read a book written by an anthropologist about what makes martial arts so popular in the US. Since reading it, I've always wanted to know what makes martial arts so popular in the black community.

  7. #7
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    Quote Originally Posted by ghostexorcist View Post
    I would love to watch this. I once read a book written by an anthropologist about what makes martial arts so popular in the US. Since reading it, I've always wanted to know what makes martial arts so popular in the black community.
    Martial arts in the black community is no different from the "greater community" but because it was neglected when reported by what is termed the mainstream media, it was seen that many of the early champions (of most physical sport) were from the black community.

  8. #8
    I just caught this last night. I really enjoyed it - the editing had a cool modern feel that you usually don't see on PBS. Plus the featured martial artists were really top-notch. Not sure if I'd agree that the one guy was doing an African martial art (looked like Chinese weaponry and technique to me), but he believed he was so who am I to argue. The Ron Van Clief story is pretty inspiring.

  9. #9
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    I love these 70's MA docos:

    Check this out:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yt0RwZJD1uY

    I just watched Black Belt Jones again the other day - classic....

    Off topic - anybody know of any other good ones?

    In the past I have enjoyed:
    The Warrior Within
    The Way of The Warrior (BBC)

  10. #10
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    There was one from the mid-'70s called The Fighting Black Kings.

  11. #11
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    Also one called "The Perfect Weapon" 1978.

    Cant find it anywhere, starring Ron of course!

  12. #12
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    Just found it on Youtube of course!

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0V0NX2ILihg

    There are some great old school martial artists in this footage.

    The Pete Siringano section is great -he is just nailing Bob Long - check it out.
    The old days of martial arts schools where if you couldnt hack it - you just left.
    Last edited by Blacktiger; 02-17-2013 at 12:19 AM.

  13. #13
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    The Black Kung Fu Experience Screening Great Star Theater SF Chinatown


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