A Feat of Strength
The documentary film Rêve de kung-fu will soon be released in Chinese cinemas. This vivid creation traces the extraordinary journey of Taling Tene Rodrigue, a Cameroonian researcher, to master martial arts and use them to promote cultural exchanges between China and Africa.
This journey is much more than just a personal experience. It builds a bridge between two cultures and shows how universal values such as discipline, respect and perseverance, which are inherent in martial arts, can transcend geographical and cultural boundaries.
Seeds of a dream
The origins of Rodrigue’s “kungfu dream” go back to his childhood in Bafoussam, a town in western Cameroon. Watching the films of Bruce Lee, Jackie Chan and Jet Li, the young Rodrigue was touched by the spiritual and philosophical depth of kungfu. Beyond fighting, he saw martial arts as a medium to gain inner strength, balance and wisdom. Inspired by this vision, from an early age, he harboured the dream of becoming a symbolic figure of kungfu, like Bruce Lee. Over the years, this interest has developed into a deep-rooted passion that has formed the centrepiece of his academic and personal career.
After graduating from secondary school in Bafoussam, he moved to Dschang to complete his studies, where he first discovered kungfu clubs. Attracted by this opportunity to get closer to his dream, he decided to join one of these clubs. During his years at the University of Dschang, he combined rigorous studies with intensive training in Chinese martial arts. His fascination with Bruce Lee led him to specialise in Jeet Kune Do (JKD), the discipline founded by his idol. He particularly appreciates the “no-style” approach, which invites you to adapt the techniques to your own needs. “It’s a way to demonstrate not only physical skills, but also intellectual and spiritual development,” he told ChinAfrica.
After graduating, he moved to Yaoundé, where he founded his own kungfu club, Young Tiger Temple. To deepen his understanding of Chinese martial arts philosophy, he joined the Confucius Institute at the University of Yaoundé II in 2010 to learn Chinese. From then on, learning the Chinese language became an essential part of his approach. He discovered that language and martial arts are closely linked: Terms such as qi (life energy) and dao (way) have meanings that are essential to understanding the essence of Chinese martial arts. “By studying the Chinese language, I was able to better understand these concepts and interact directly with masters and practitioners in China, which has enriched my martial arts practise and broadened my horizons,” he emphasised.
A journey of discovery in China
A year later, Rodrigue decided to continue his studies in China, which brought him closer to his “kungfu dream.” He completed a master’s degree in Chinese as a foreign language at Zhejiang Normal University and then a doctorate in traditional culture and sports at Shanghai Sports University. As part of his doctoral thesis, he traced the development of Chinese martial arts in Africa and analysed the interaction between these martial arts and African martial arts. He also emphasised the key role of martial arts in promoting exchanges between the peoples of China and Africa, especially through martial arts films, and introduced the concept of “Sino-African kungfu films” for the first time.
After completing his doctorate, he moved to the Institute of African Studies at Zhejiang Normal University, where he found a unique platform to continue his research and promote China-Africa cultural exchange, especially through martial arts and kungfu films. There he heads the Centre for African Film and Television Studies, with a particular interest in the production of Sino-African kungfu films. At the same time, he is interested in the development of China-Africa relations, emphasising the importance of cultural diplomacy and media exchange in promoting dialogue between the two cultures.
The promotion of cultural exchange between China and Africa remains the centrepiece of his work. He has been involved in setting up various initiatives, including academic programmes between Zhejiang Normal University and certain universities in Cameroon, film projects and cooperation between Chinese and African media. He also organises workshops to introduce Chinese students to African art, music and dance, especially through the African Museum established at Zhejiang Normal University in 2010. According to him, this hands-on approach helps to break down stereotypes and promote a deeper, more nuanced understanding of the two cultures.
Maintaining the momentum
Rodrigue has been working with his production team at Zhejiang Normal University since September 2023 on the documentary film Rêve de kung-fu, for which he is co-director, screenwriter and lead actor. The documentary explores the mutual inspiration between African and Chinese cultures through the martial arts. Beyond the physical techniques, it focuses on spiritual and emotional transformation and addresses universal themes such as discipline and balance. Its aim is to deconstruct stereotypes, promote a deeper understanding and enrich cultural exchange between the Chinese and African peoples.
Rodrigue is also involved in a number of other film projects that cover broader issues related to the African diaspora in China as well as the role of martial arts in shaping global perceptions of African and Chinese identities.
However, in order to produce compelling and coherent live-action films based on these concepts and not just documentaries, additional funding is required, which is beyond the scope of his university. He is, therefore, seeking support from investors, filmmakers and entrepreneurs who wish to participate in this wonderful adventure of Sino-African cultural exchange through kungfu, so that they can together explore new avenues of cooperation between China and Africa in this promising sector of culture and audio-visual industry.
In the near future, he plans to expand the scope of his research and outreach activities, both academically and practically. He is currently writing a book that explores the points of contact between African and Chinese martial arts. He is also committed to promoting African cinema in the Chinese market and plans to collaborate with filmmakers in Africa.
At a personal level, he continues to practise martial arts, in particular deepening his commitment to JKD, which he sees as a holistic philosophy of life. “I am particularly excited about the prospects of enriching cultural exchanges and cooperation between China and Africa,” he concluded.
