Leading Man
“I just need to warn you,” the public relations manager says ominously, as I am about to meet Donnie Yen in the VIP suite at Lane Crawford IFC Hong Kong, where the movie star is introducing his second collection of sunglasses under the DonniEye label. “There will be about nine people in the room, and a video team will be filming the whole interview.” As I open my mouth to protest, she adds, “Oh, and he’ll be keeping his sunglasses on.”
In case the size of his entourage isn’t enough of a clue, Yen is a big deal. He’s practically a household name in Asia thanks to the franchise, in which he embodies the legendary father of wing chun, a form of martial arts, and since his 2016 turn as a blind, wisecracking, he’s become known internationally as well. Now, Yen has just filmed the 76th movie of his 30-year career (his most recent work is the much-debated live action in which Yen plays Commander Tung). His impressive footwork, as a multiple world wushu tournament champion, and body of work have earned him an uncontested place in the league of martial arts superstars such as Bruce Lee and Jackie Chan.
