At the 2025 Locarno Film Festival in Switzerland, Jackie Chan took the stage for a lively masterclass, blending personal stories, martial arts memories, and plenty of humor. The 71-year-old actor even recreated his small role from Bruce Lee’s Enter the Dragon, recalling how Lee accidentally hit him during filming.
Chan shared how his early years were shaped by discipline and mischief—his father sent him to martial arts school to curb his rebellious streak, but it became the foundation of his career. From his start as a stuntman in Fist of Fury to directing his own films, Chan credited determination and versatility as the keys to his longevity.
Reflecting on Hollywood’s initial indifference—“Jackie who?”—he revealed that Rush Hour was the turning point, allowing him to bridge cultures and reach a global audience. He emphasized that story always comes before fight scenes, criticizing action films that lack coherence.
Receiving Locarno’s prestigious Pardo alla Carriera award, Chan was celebrated as a pioneer who redefined the action genre. “There’s before Jackie Chan, and there’s after,” said artistic director Giona A. Nazzaro. Smiling, Chan added, “I’m 71, and I can still fight.”
—
Photo Credit: Denis Makarenko / Shutterstock.com