Bamboo, Nunchucks & Dirty Footprints: A Retrospective of Bruce Lee’s ‘Game of Death’

July 6, 2020July 19, 2019 By Alan Canvan and Matthew Polly

On the eve of the 46th anniversary of Bruce Lee’s passing, Alan Canvan will premiere a new edit of Lee’s Game of Death (Running Time 39:05), a posthumously released unfinished film. Visualized by Canvan, the new cut reframes Lee’s famous project by combining John Barry’s riveting film score with Lee’s extended raw footage to reveal the hidden symbolism and themes within the narrative of Game of Death. The result is a powerful and resonant story that explores classical mythology and Jungian psychology, honoring the artistry of both Bruce Lee and John Barry. After the screening, Canvan will be joined by author Matthew Polly (Bruce Lee: A Life) for a discussion on Game of Death, followed by Q&A with the audience.

Author Bio

Alan Canvan

Alan Canvan has been researching Bruce Lee's life and cinematic legacy for over three decades. In 2018, Alan presented the first U.S. screening of Bruce Lee's Hong Kong film classic "The Orphan" since the early 1960's. A lifelong martial artist, he teaches self defense in the tri-state area to a select number of students. His love for '70s/'80s cinema, music and comic book art generally keep him inspired and neighborly to those around him. Alan attended the Joe Kubert School of Arts and is a graduate of New York Film Academy.

Matthew Polly

Matthew Polly is the national bestselling author of American Shaolin, Tapped Out, and Bruce Lee: A Life. A Princeton University graduate and Rhodes Scholar, he spent two years studying kung fu at the Shaolin Temple in Henan, China. His writing has appeared in The Washington Post, Esquire, Slate, Playboy, and The Nation. He is a fellow at Yale University and lives in New Haven, Connecticut.