To Become a Lion | Op-Docs

I was born in Sydney, Australia, as the only child of parents who immigrated from China with little financial security or knowledge of English. I spent most of my childhood in Sydney’s Chinatown, by my mother’s side during school holidays as she worked the checkout at a Chinese supermarket.
As a child I was mystified by the magnificent lions that would appear, as if from nowhere, on the streets of Chinatown and the Sydney suburbs. I would watch with awe as they performed elaborate dances during cultural events.
My work as a filmmaker is dedicated to Australian immigrant communities like the one I grew up in. When I was commissioned by the Powerhouse Museum to direct this short documentary, I discovered that almost every Asian person I spoke to has a friend or a family member in the lion dancing community.
The commitment of lion dancers to their craft is astounding, and I want to draw attention to the people inside the performance, people who dedicate a significant part of their lives to this tradition.
- Film and Text by David Ma ( davidmaa?hl=en). This short film was commissioned by the Powerhouse Museum ( powerhousemuseum).
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[@JinwukoonAu]

Thank you for letting us be a part of your documentary. We're proud to play our part in carrying on this tradition.

[@Trund27]

Thank you for sharing your gifts with us. Deep respect to you and your team.

[@Unajenita]

Love this!!! Thank you for sharing with us. My son is learning Shaolin Kung Fu and has recently been very interested in lion dancing. Going to show him this video. Again, thank you for sharing 🙏💕

[@powerhousemuseum]

It was truly an honour to have Jin Wu Koon be a part of our documentary. Your contribution is invaluable, and we deeply appreciate your dedication to carrying on this important tradition. Thank you for being a vital part of our project!

[@watchmegirly]

I love the way he sees tradition, that it can change and adapt with the times, and that's okay. And that he's willing teach as long as you're willing to learn, keeping it alive, unlike his predecessors💕

[@celinechoong6614]

As a Malaysian Chinese, I never expected to hear the warm familiarity of Cantonese when clicking in to watch this video! Thank you NYT for opting to produce this video close to the cultural source ❤

[@RayLui20]

love this video from NYT. Did lion dancing since I was a kid and always wanted more visibility to this wonderful art.

[@Trund27]

This is spectacular. I could have watched this for hours, frankly. Love this incredible tradition!

[@btimec5290]

David Ma- what a masterclass. A beautiful six minute piece. Loved it!

[@puppyandkittygames]

Thank you for keeping the lion dance alive. I always look for lion dance and competition during Chinese New Year online. I grew up watching lion dance in our neighborhood. They are always so loud and so cool and in a big group going from shop to shop.

[@slothxbean]

Watched a lion dance performance recently, seeing so many young people in the team and the satisfaction on everyone’s faces after performing was very touching. Respect Great documentary, his open approach to teaching is fantastic

[@katesmiles4208]

That was wonderful. Thank you for sharing ❤

[@mantaradius5902]

Thank you for this beautiful insight into Lion Dancing. I would love to see a longer video in this style

[@marki7901]

谢谢推广中国文化🎉❤ Thank you for sharing Cantonese Cultures 🎉❤

[@TheEmongification]

Amazing and well-done Op-doc! On another thought, has no one actually thought of nominating Lion Dancing as an Intangible Heritage of Humanity to the UNESCO? It could be some sort of cross-boundary nomination (e.g. Nowruz, Falconry, the Mediterranean Diet etc.) spanning the Chinese diaspora, not only in Southeast Asia but also places such as Australia, and the United States.

[@MegaBossmare]

Beautiful. Very thoughtful to share his knowledge

[@virifdrl]

such a majestic culture, respect and love from 🇲🇽

[@KeshenMac]

Jesus Christ this doc is so well made

[@SecretCollage]

LOVE that they did a piece on this, is very touching to see more culture documentations of such powerful stories that formed into traditions.

[@I_am_Lauren]

The teacher is amazing and a truly unique person!

[@Pammellam]

I love Lion Dancing! Thank you for this wonderful visual explanation!

[@svenwolt]

What a visual masterpiece.

[@hongweixu1999]

This is beautiful and awesome.

[@jjtang9670]

I love lion dance❤ They made difficut move so easy and charming.

[@matiasleivacirici7215]

This is priceless! Thank you for creating this ❤

[@LWSPAKMEI]

Beautiful⚡️thanks for sharing⚡️ Deep respect from France

[@slessex]

I absolutely love this. It’s just so beautiful!

[@mickgreer2146]

Wonderful

[@masonobrien1903]

Wow great piece of film!

[@impishishere]

This is beautiful

[@deborahpappas7334]

I love the lion dance❤

[@moonshinebling]

Interesting!!

[@wacxr123]

好有质感

[@ChandraNYC]

🦁

[@enviosinterdimencionales8612]

this is key for the next elden ring DLC!.

[@sadbravesfan]

Post the op-doc about Motaz

[@silife750]

Who are the director , editor , and sound designer of this film? Very good docu.

[@powerhousemuseum]

Thanks so much! The director and editor is David Ma and the sound designer is Mara Schwerdtfeger.

[@user-er3ri6sc3j]

April 1977 he arrived in Australia. I left Tsuen Wan.

[@cagliarigirl6510]

Like 3 ❤

[@oliverocampo2198]

Periodismo Sicario !

[@VANTYCSolutions]

Que tal la locomotora 🚂 que le pasó ayer encima al Paquin Times🤣🤣🤣❓

[@muhammadnazar1153]

[ada apa ya]

[@EnriqueRamirez-vw8dl]

Viva el Presidente más Honesto de México. Sí al Plan C.

[@prabinpaudel5572]

What's op-doc?

[@nuckinfuts7610]

Opinionated Documentaries. It's in the description.

[@Eleora1997Msia]

better than using real animal as entertainment. Human just need to be exercise. Circus can be replaced with puppet

[@pologarza08]

The New Fake Times and natalie kitroeff😂😂😂😂

[@jin_cotl]

The second time the monk was shown was so creepy. Black eyes

[@lawrup]

To become lion one must learn to Eat like a lion Sleep like a lion Pee like a lion

[@ramzangujjar3545]

I am a 23 year old young man I am smart if I join you you will benefit and grow you can ask me questions

[@user-vb8sq9pk3g]

葬儀のライオンを燃やしてしまうのは悲しい… 一緒にあの世に行くという意味なんだろうけど

[@williambo5989]

so common for chinese masters to not sharet heir secret

[@jin_cotl]

I mean you can learn about it more online