Cinematographer bridges Hollywood and Chinese culture

Andrzej Bartkowiak, a celebrated Hollywood cinematographer, director and producer, has always had a passion for Chinese culture and martial arts.

As a renowned director of photography, working on major Hollywood blockbusters such as Speed and Lethal Weapon 4, Bartkowiak has worked across a diverse range of genres and styles, collaborating with some of the most esteemed directors in Hollywood.

Bartkowiak, who was honored with the American Society of Cinematographers (ASC) Lifetime Achievement Award during the society's 39th annual awards ceremony on Feb 23 in Beverly Hills, also has sat in the director's chair and left a lasting impact on action cinema, particularly through his innovative integration of Chinese martial arts into Hollywood films.

"I love Chinese culture," Bartkowiak told China Daily. "That's why I've directed a series of films that highlight Chinese martial arts."

Bartkowiak has visited China multiple times, exploring different cities and immersing himself in the country's rich history and vibrant culture. He has often expressed admiration for China's hospitality, deep-rooted traditions and artistic heritage, which continue to inspire his work.

He made his directorial debut in 2000 with Romeo Must Die, a martial arts action-thriller starring Chinese action superstar Jet Li (Li Lianjie).

Li, a wushu champion born in China, had already gained international fame through classic martial arts films such as the Once Upon a Time in China series. Romeo Must Die marked Li's first Hollywood role, introducing the wushu champion — already a legend in Hong Kong martial arts cinema — to Western audiences.

Known for his lightning-fast movements, Li's skill was so extraordinary that filmmakers often asked him to slow down so that the camera could properly capture his moves.

Li's collaboration with Bartkowiak was a turning point in Hollywood martial arts cinema, blending kung fu with urban action and hip-hop aesthetics, creating a new genre — the "hip-hop kung fu" movie for Western audiences, according to Vulture.

Following the success of Romeo Must Die, Bartkowiak continued to develop his East-meets-West action style, directing Exit Wounds (2001), Cradle 2 the Grave (2003), and Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun-Li (2009), bringing Chinese martial arts into the Hollywood mainstream with a modern, stylish twist.

The influence of Bartkowiak's action movies on subsequent action films and their contributions to the popularization of Asian martial arts in Hollywood are "undeniable", according to a review by Film-Authority.

Hollywood's martial arts films have played a crucial role in bridging Eastern and Western cultures, introducing global audiences to the dynamic world of Chinese kung fu.

Legendary martial arts icons such as Bruce Lee, Jackie Chan and Jet Li have mesmerized generations with their extraordinary skills. By blending traditional martial arts philosophy with contemporary storytelling, the films have helped redefine the action genre on a global scale.

A feature of Bartkowiak's work is his longstanding collaboration with martial arts stars such as Li, Mark Dacascos and a consistent team of martial arts performers led by Dion Lam from Hong Kong.

The continuity in cast and crew has helped establish a distinct cinematic language that fans of action films have come to recognize and appreciate.

Bartkowiak has long aspired to bring the story of the Nanjing Massacre to the big screen, adapting the novel When the Purple Mountain Burns: A Story of the Rape of Nanking by Shouhua Qi. His vision for the project took a profound turn in 2019, when he visited the Memorial Hall of the Victims in Nanjing Massacre by Japanese Invaders after receiving the script.

"I was so moved by the visit, it revived the script," Bartkowiak said, noting the emotional impact of seeing the historical evidence firsthand. He is now seeking co-production partners and investment to bring the project to reality.

Bartkowiak anticipates the film as an authentic international production, featuring Chinese actors and potentially a co-director to ensure historical and cultural accuracy. While primarily shot in China, the film will incorporate both English and Chinese dialogue, reflecting the multilingual nature of its characters and the global significance of Chinese history.

"I'd love to produce an international film and collaborate with Chinese filmmakers," he said, citing his interest to strengthen cinematic ties between China and Hollywood.