WCI Review - Wing Chun Masters: Vol. 1 - Francis Fong & Allan Lee
Wing Chun Masters Magazine is one of the last publications, in both general topic and the martial arts world that still offers video elements as part of the purchase of one of their magazines. For years, the physical copy of the magazine had an accompanying DVD that evoked the same excited surprise to open the package as enjoyed as children when opening a breakfast cereal box to look for the secret prize.
With the evolution and proliferation of digital media, the access to the magazine and complementary video features of various martial arts masters of various disciplines with a unique, in-depth approach to interviewing the featured guest and represented martial art with demonstrations of their knowledge, skill and application of it.
In this first of two volumes reviewed in this issue of Wing Chun Illustrated, the featured guests are Sifus Francis Fong and the late Allan Lee (Lee Che Kong). Life and love of system take the platform as they take centre stage with each enjoying a half-hour of run-time. The format of the interviews ranges from interview to in-class footage to demonstrations for all parties.
Sifu Francis Fong speaks of his beginnings in Hong Kong as a mischievous teenager learning Judo and Taekwondo until his introduction to his life's path learning Wing Chun where he, "quit (them both)," pursuing to learn from the late Sifu Jiu Wan of Foshan who also emigrated to the then British colony with his skills in tow. Sifu Fong's journeys found him moving to Canada for university and ultimately settling in Atlanta, Georgia, where he set roots as an instructor of the system. Also, his meeting, inspiration, and learning from Guro Dan Inosanto.
Sifu Fong offers an insightful perspective on the importance of realising one's calm and relaxed application in learning and practice to maximise one's application through structure and understanding of the body's functions provided in Wing Chun's first form supported by a demonstration partner. From foundations to drilling, he lights up his student and the screen with an explosive display of techniques. He signs off with the simple wisdom that, "Without discipline, you will get nowhere".
The presentation of the interviews gives the viewing audience the feel of actually sitting down with the interviewee over a cup of tea, sharing in honest moments with a candid passion. Sitting with Sifu Allan Lee sets the table with the story of learning from one of Ip Man's top students, the late Sifu Lok Yiu, and then learning directly from the Grandmaster himself, where he shares some of the resonating wisdom of the system patriarch that left an everlasting impression on his learning and teaching journeys.
"In Wing Chun, we don't have a set technique", shares Sifu Lee, where he expands on Wing Chun's fluid nature of adaptability. Witnessing him in action is a generational snapshot of fundamental application with a pragmatic and practical approach. So rich in content it will provide the audience with new revelations with every viewing.
Wing Chun Masters: Vol. 1 - Francis Fong & Allan Lee
Language: English
Running Time: Approx. 64 min.
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