Legend of a Warrior

Canadian filmmaker Corey Lee points his camera at his own family in this feature-length documentary that serves as a belated exercise in paternal bonding. Lee is the son of Frank Lee, a prominent Chinese-born martial arts coach who became famous for his mastery of white crane kung fu. In the early 1980s, the elder Lee left his wife and a young Corey to head for Hong Kong to work as a coach/manager for martial arts champion Billy Chau. In Legend of a Warrior, now fortysomething Corey temporarily leaves his spouse and children to train at his father's martial arts center—where the elder Lee appears to give his aspiring fighters a level of fatherly support that Corey did not experience while growing up. Along the way, Corey also seeks out a greater understanding of Frank's Chinese heritage (Corey's mother is white). Corey Lee clearly enjoys being on camera (the production often seems to be little more than a vehicle designed to call attention to his athletic prowess), while Frank seems to be patient and cordial regarding the whole matter—the true feat of strength in this home movie. Featuring both English and French-language versions on the disc, this is an optional purchase, at best. Aud: C, P. (P. Hall)