A Bruce Lee martial-arts classic gets an Indigenous twist as the first feature film ever to be fully dubbed in an Aboriginal Australian language.

In Hong Kong director Lo Wei’s Fist of Fury, Lee plays kung fu pupil Chen Zhen, who pursues a path of fiery vengeance when he discovers his mentor has been murdered. Immediately hailed as a masterpiece upon its release, the film, set in 1930s Shanghai, impresses with its balletic combat choreography and – in the guise of an underdog story – compelling critique of injustice and colonial brutality. Now, inspired by the 2013 Navajo dub of Star Wars: Episode IV, this 1972 revenge romp is not only given new life but also told with a fresh, local voice.

Noongar multidisciplinary creative Kylie Bracknell teamed up with the Perth Festival’s Noongar Advisory Circle to create this audaciously entertaining redub, which is based on the original Cantonese audio and performed by an all-Noongar cast. Executive-produced by the Perth Festival and Boomerang and Spear, Fist of Fury Noongar Daa is a must-see reimagining that contributes to the preservation of a critically endangered language; fans of martial arts, blockbuster action and First Nations art best prepare for this cinematic sucker-punch.

“Gives new meaning to Lee’s star portrayal of the eternal fight against injustice.” – The AU Review