Jackie Chan reenacts his role from *Enter the Dragon* at Locarno Film Festival, embracing both action and nostalgia.
At Switzerland’s renowned Locarno Film Festival, Jackie Chan reenacted his small but memorable role in Bruce Lee’s classic filmEnter the Dragon. Chan reflected on the challenges he faced during filming, including a moment when Lee unintentionally struck him with a stick, yet he persisted to complete the scene.
A Glimpse into Jackie Chan’s Early Career and Martial Arts Training
During a masterclass at the festival, Chan recounted his youth and introduction to martial arts. He described being a mischievous child reluctant to study, which led his father to enroll him in a martial arts school. Chan fondly remembered,
“I was lazy, naughty, I didn’t want to study – that’s why my father sent me to martial arts school. I liked fighting when I was young. Later, he asked: ‘Did you like the school?’ Yes, very much. I could kick the teacher, punch someone – whatever I wanted to do,”
he joked, revealing his early passion for fighting and movement.
Starting as a stuntman, he appeared in Bruce Lee’s Fist of Fury, which helped him transition into acting after experiencing life on film sets as a child. Reflecting on this experience, he said,
“I went: ‘Movies are great – I can have my own lunch box’.”
Insights on Filmmaking and Personal Growth
Chan engaged the audience with lively storytelling and displayed humility by often asking for help in recalling details. He opened up about his absent father, who sent him recordings of his voice, sharing,
“If I listened to them now, I think I’d cry.”
Expressing his dedication to mastering filmmaking, Chan said he used to do his own makeup to impress directors and eventually took on directing himself. He asserted,
“I do everything – myself. Now, I tell filmmakers: ‘If you only learn how to direct, that’s not good enough’.”
He emphasized his commitment to quality, explaining,
Image of: Jackie Chan
“The audience doesn’t know about the rain or the producer, or that the budget was cut. They just want a good movie. I always remember that, so I try to make every scene perfect. Now, these big studios, they are not filmmakers – they are business guys. It’s very difficult to make a good movie these days.”
Chan also highlighted his adaptability throughout his career, stating,
“I always learn how to change.”
Beyond action, he demonstrated his willingness to explore other talents by singing for the audience, illustrating his desire to be respected as an actor, not just an action star. He reflected on this recognition by saying,
“Only now they say: ‘Jackie is a good actor,’ and that’s why you gave me this award.”
Honoring a Career and Legacy at Locarno
Jackie Chan was presented with the Pardo alla Carriera, Locarno’s prestigious career achievement award, on Saturday. Giona A. Nazzaro, the festival’s artistic director, praised Chan’s impact on cinema, describing him as “a true genius” who redefined the action film genre. Nazzaro remarked,
“He reinvented, literally, what an action film is,”
further adding,
“There is before Jackie Chan and there’s after.”
Accepting the accolade, Chan recalled a conversation with his father, where he asked,
“I’m 60. Can you still fight when you’re 60?”
Chan admitted uncertainty at the time but added,
“I didn’t know what to say [to him]. But now I’m 71 and I still can fight.”
