PLANET CHOCKO – art/music/movies/beyond » The Black Kung Fu Experience

The Black Kung Fu Experience – (2012)

January 22nd, 2013 by Mr. C

Director: Martha Burr & Mei-Juin Chen
Stars: Ron Van Clief, Dennis Brown, Tayari Casel, Donald Hamby
Genre: Martial arts and culture – documentary
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The Fist and Sword ongoing movie series at the Museum of the Moving Image curated by Warrington Hudlin is one of my favorite events to attend in New York City! Hudlin is very knowledgeable in the martial art scene in New York and is a student of Jujitsu Master Lil’ John Davis. Warrington is also a walking knowledgebase of information on martial art films as well. Last Monday on Martin Luther King day – we were treated to a screening of The Black Kung Fu Experience which was part of the Fist and Sword series. Michael Woods, Sifu Carl Albright, and Sifu Alan Goldberg were also in attendance.

(Warrington Hudlin – curator of Fist and Sword series)

The Black Kung Fu Experience was a very inspirational documentary about 4 african american martial artists, all from various backgrounds but carved from the same mold of inner strength, humility, and passion. These Masters of their respective fighting arts all have something in common from the 1960’s and 1970’s – the influences of kung fu through movies while growing up in the inner city. We as viewers got to travel to NYC, Los Angeles, Washington D.C., the U.S. Virgin Islands, Hong Kong, and Jamaica to get a glimpse of these warriors in mind, body, & spirit. Masters: Ron Van Clief, Dennis Brown, Tayari Casel, & Donald Hamby are highly regarded asian fighting art experts that went through similiar paths and struggles yet their storyboards are all unique. While the movies might have introduced the asian arts to these individuals which started a spark towards their martial arts journey – their resilience, intestinal fortitude – their endless search to learn & grow as a person while keeping the thought of bettering their community by passing on knowledge has kept their internal flames of fury & peace on high. These four teachers have all pledged their allegiance to the arts but more importantly they have all pledged their allegiance to their communities. The determination and drive despite the racism that these four went through are truly inspirational. I can truly say that not only are they great role models for the black community, they are great role models for Americans!

(Master Ron Van Clief)

Ron Van Clief in particular is a real life american hero. I was familiar with the Black Dragon’s martial arts prowess and his dip into films in Hong Kong in the 1970’s but I was not aware of the struggles that he went through while serving in the Marines as he faced racial discrimination from fellow americans in the Carolinas. Furthermore, being black – he was sentenced to serve in a one way mission in the Vietnam War, but as god would have it – the Black Dragon made it a roundtrip affair though lots of psychological scars from warfare would haunt him for decades. Master Ron Van Clief had made martial arts as an outlet to express himself and 40+ years later – he continues to spread his knowledge as well as not being afraid to empty his cup to learn new things. He seemed to be such a gentle and peaceful soul when he spoke at the panel at the Musuem of the Moving Image after the screening. Master Van Clief has roots in Brooklyn but has relocated to the U.S Virgin Islands to spread his knowledge.

Sifu Dennis Brown is another throwback kung fu relic that teaches Shaolin kung fu in the Washington D.C/Maryland area. His life story tells a tale of a martial hero’s uplifting ascent from poverty to the gold mountain of old-school traditional kung-fu! The interaction between himself and his young students always showcases nuggets of discipline and encouragement as well as rewards and acknowledgement when the student does well in academics. Sifu Brown teaches in the Maryland metropolitan area.

(Sifu Tayari Casel)

Sifu Tayari Casel was one of the first fighters in the U.S. to put kung fu on the map in the 1970’s with his many successful bouts in the ring. His legendary fight at Madison Square Garden against the real shogun of Harlem – Master Little John Davis drew much attention! Sifu Casel has an impressive form that flows like water but can strike with the power and speed of a cobra! I was really impressed by Sifu Casel’s eclectic mix of Chinese martial arts blended with African culture. Tayari Casel Martial Arts Academy is a perfect example of how to combine traditional cultures together to make a product that is relevant to you and your community, all the while still being true to yourself! Well done sir! His inspirations reach as far as Jamaica and beyond! Sifu Tayari Casel teaches in the Washington D.C./Maryland Metropolitan area. Tayari was also on the Q&A panel with Ron Van Clief after the screening. They both were very articulate and humble in speech.

Sifu Donald Hamby representing the 5 animal – Hung Ga Kung fu family is a style that traces their lineage back to the likes of China’s most celebrated hero – Wong Fei Hong! Sifu Donald and his flesh tearing tiger grip was a force to be reckon with for sure! He was truly a gentle giant, but one that you did not want to mess with. Sifu Donald’s story along with his son following in his footsteps was a very touching tale indeed! The humbleness of this sifu has him visiting Hong Kong periodically to keep his kung fu family within arms grasp as he pays respect to Sifu Lam Jo’s Hung Ga family tree. The film had a nice clip of father and son on the Steve Harvey show doing a metal bending – mind blowing demonstration of steel rod vs neck. Sifu Donald teaches in Los Angeles.

The Black Kung Fu Experience is a documentary that takes a look at how urban america fused the teachings of traditional martial arts along with their own culture and made it into something relevant to their environment. At the Q&A after the screening of the film, Tayari Casel and Ron Van Clief made it clear that “Kung Fu” is more than just punches and kicks. It’s a journey about discovering yourself. It’s a lifelong journey of empowerment, survival, and being self-aware!

(Michael Woods at the Museum of the Moving Image)