It’s hard to think about kung fu movies without also thinking of Bruce Lee. In fact, his name and the martial arts are practically synonyms at this point. Of course, he’s much bigger than his on-screen persona. And if you’ve ever wanted to learn more about the man, the myth, and the legend that is Bruce Lee, ESPN is right on the cusp of releasing an episode of 30 For 30 titled ‘Be Water.’
Renowned for a series of now-legendary martial arts movies in the 1970s, Bruce Lee’s life wasn’t all glitz and glamor. The son of a Chinese opera star, Lee came to the United States with dreams of becoming a movie and television star but was met with racism and rejection. Still, he persisted and forged his own path to fame and visibility, marked by bonds with the likes of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (who appears in the documentary), Chuck Norris, and many others. This documentary charts that path through archival footage, interviews, etcetera — paying tribute to Lee as both an actor and activist, his life, his struggles, and his enduring legacy.
