BRUCE LEE BIOPIC
Feature Film Narrative
Project Type: Feature Film Narrative
Project Status: Pre-Production
Director: Kayvon Derak-Shanian
Producer and Screenwriter: Vuong Tran
LOGLINE
1. Shaking Barriers
Young Lei Zan Fan faces ruthless high school bullies and gangsters terrorizing Hong Kong. Using his extraordinary intellect and martial skill, he rises to confront chaos, protect the people he loves, and forge a revolutionary hybrid martial art that will change the world, forever
2. Enter the Heart
A Chinese man and a white woman fell in love in 1960s racist America, defying barriers and a vengeful rival.
SYNOPSIS
1. Shaking Barriers
Zan Fan got bullied at school by Blair. He learned Wing Chun to defend himself against Blair. His best friend Wong got defeated in a boxing match, so Zan Fan had to blend Wing Chun, boxing and other martial arts to create a unique fighting style that will eventually change the world. Meanwhile Blair and gangsters of Hong Kong plot revenge against Zan Fan for his vigilantism. Based on a true story
2. Enter the Heart
Linda, a white young woman, fell in love with Bruce, a Chinese immigrant. Linda’s mother Vivian opposed the relationship. Bruce navigated through life in a racist U.S. Bruce faced humiliations, doubts and challenges. Bruce had to prove his love to Linda while facing a vengeful foe.
MORE ABOUT THIS PROJECT
Bruce Lee, he was a real person. A real life, real dreams, real struggles, real pain. He was the first Asian main actor in a Hollywood film. 50 years after his death, people still talk about him. He was funny, charismatic, romantic and fierce.
All the desirable qualities. I have a strange and strong connection to this man, I have researched intensively on his life, his martial arts, his beliefs and wisdom. I have watched two major documentaries about his life. And was inspired to craft an original interpretation of his life regarding the previous biopics.
Bruce Lee wasn't alone. His wife Linda, his children Brandon and Shannon. His friends: Taky, Jesse, Ted and Dan were all real people who supported him. They stuck through him thick and thin in the most desperate of times. Especially Linda. In modern Hollywood, Asian people are often depicted as joke characters and stereotypes to make fun of. Yet the image of Bruce Lee still burned through our minds, to remind ourselves that Asian are people too. And they deserve to be recognized for their incredible talents.
This biopic is not just about Bruce. It's about all of us, from the struggling Asians in foreign lands. To repressed minorities, to the undistinguishable love between two worlds. This biopic will remind the world how powerful Bruce Lee was as a person. And how we can all learn from him..
Meet The Filmmakers
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Vuong Tran
Producer and Screenwriter
I'm a dying fan of Bruce Lee. I wrote the scripts based on intense research on Lee's life and philosophies. I read Linda Lee's book "Bruce Lee: The man only i knew" and 1993 Dragon: The Bruce Lee story and 2008 the Legend of Bruce Lee.I'm also an advocator for Asian Americans. I am also a current researcher at Orange Coast College's psychology
I believe strongly in Justice and fair treatment of individuals. My scripts on Bruce Lee reflect the reality that many Asians are facing today. I believe that the scripts have the ability to raise awareness about Anti-Asian racism, and create a better world for younger Asians in western countries.
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Kayvon Derak-Shanian
Director
Kayvon is a four-time Oscar-qualified filmmaker.
His directorial debut, Empty Hand, is a feature documentary that follows four karate competitors as they train to face their toughest rivals in pursuit of the National Karate Kid Championship. The film premiered at DOC NYC.
His second film, The Real Miyagi - winner of seven international film awards, stars Steven Seagal, Dolph Lundgren, and Michael Jai White. It tells the story of Fumio Demura, the legendary karate master who inspired generations. The film was acquired by Netflix for worldwide distribution from 2015 to 2022.
In 2018, Make America Laugh Again opened theatrically in New York and Los Angeles to favorable reviews, winning the Audience Award at Cinequest. The film also qualified for the 91st Academy Awards in 2019.
In 2021, Kayvon returned to the world of The Karate Kid with More Than Miyagi: The Pat Morita Story, a documentary about the beloved actor behind the iconic character. Featuring Ralph Macchio, Tommy Chong, and Henry Winkler, the film is available globally on all major VOD platforms and holds a 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
In 2022, Kayvon produced Pepe Serna: Life Is Art, a documentary about Mexican-American character actor Pepe Serna, who has appeared in over 250 films and helped pave the way for generations of Chicanx performers in Hollywood. Featuring Edward James Olmos, Eva Longoria, and Cheech Marin, the film premiered at both the Palm Springs International Film Festival and the Austin Film Festival.- IMDb mini biography by: Scoplin Pictures
Your Help
BRUCE LEE BIOPIC is a fiscally sponsored project of Cinematography for Actors, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Your donation will be tax-deductible!