You are here:

Be Water

Name: Be Water
Director: Bao Nguyen
Released: 2020
Duration: 105 min

Representation Score

6.3/10

Good

2020

Director

Bao Nguyen

Runtime

105 minutes

Average Rating

No ratings yet

New Showbiz Analysis

Be Water is a nuanced critique of historical representation that centers on the systemic barriers faced by ethnic minorities. By focusing on Bruce Lee's rejection by Hollywood, the film dismantles traditional Western cinematic hierarchies through a non-Western lens. The documentary excels in its racial and cultural reclamation efforts. It uses Lee's personal writings and rare archival footage to highlight his journey as a pivotal moment of racial identity and ability to act. While the film opens up discussions around identity fluidity, it remains predominantly focused on a male biography. It lacks explicit LGBTQ+ representation and specific depictions of disability.

Watch this, not that →

Category Breakdown

Does Be Water have LGBTQ+ representation?

Fair

The film touches on the fluidity of identity through Bruce Lee's experiences but does not provide explicit LGBTQ+ character arcs.

How does Be Water portray gender?

Fair

This biographical film about a male icon challenges the typical hyper-masculine portrayal by emphasizing Lee's intellectual and internal struggles.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Be Water?

Excellent

The documentary highlights an Asian protagonist resisting Western cinematic norms. It uses archival footage to emphasize an Eastern perspective and criticizes the exclusion of non-white actors.

How does Be Water represent religion and culture?

Excellent

The film examines the tension between Western capitalism and Eastern heritage. It portrays Lee's philosophy as a move toward subjective morality and away from Western-centric structures.

Does Be Water include disability representation?

Minimal

There is no specific evidence regarding the portrayal of physical or neurodivergent disabilities in this work.

Present on Screen

Strong focus on an Asian protagonist challenging Western cinematic norms.
Effective critique of systemic racial exclusion in 1970s Hollywood.
Sophisticated exploration of cultural reclamation and Eastern heritage.
Highlights intellectual and internal depth over physical dominance.

Limited or Absent

Lacks explicit LGBTQ+ character arcs or overt representation.
Primarily focuses on a male icon, limiting gender diversity.
No evidence of disability or neurodivergent representation.

Official Synopsis

In 1971, after being rejected by Hollywood, Bruce Lee returned to his parents’ homeland of Hong Kong to complete four iconic films. Charting his struggles between two worlds, this portrait explores questions of identity and representation through the use of rare archival footage, interviews with loved ones and Bruce’s own writings.

How are these scores produced? →