Sometimes a book comes along dealing with a topic in which you thought you had little interest. Then you open it and—wow!—it reciprocates to open up a world for you. Lingnan Hung Kuen: Kung Fu in Cinema and Community is one of those books.
It looked like a nice gift item. But once we got into the text, we realized that this book is more than just a pretty face; in well-written text, the authors explore not only Hung Kuen’s Lam family and their amazing insight into recording their style photographically, but sets this against the backdrop of 20th century Kung Fu cinema.
Starting from what many people call the birth of modern Kung Fu films—One-Armed Swordsman—it proceeds to other beloved classic (and not-so-classic) films. Topics such as choreography, masculine and feminine roles, plots, historical representation—even a wonderful section on full-color, hand-painted Kung Fu film posters from Ghana—fill the pages of this book.
The photos of Lam Sai Wing alone make this a lasting treasure.
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The book “Lingnan Hung Kuen” is a Real Gem. Its content is focused, like the ma bu horse stance, and sharp with the bridge arms fu hok training. A must-get book to read and study on our journey.
Ps. A very good companion volume to 300 years of Hakka Kung-Fu. Thanks Plum.