Luc Bendza has spent 27 years in China, having arrived in 1984 to study Chinese kungfu at the famous Shaolin Temple in Henan Province. During the 1990s, he won several prizes in both international and Chinese national kungfu championships, attracting the attention of many film directors. Bendza has acted in Chinese movies, and gained famed as an African kungfu master.

As a little boy, Bendza was fascinated with kungfu films and Bruce Lee. At the age of 14, he came to China and was determined to stay after watching breathtaking kungfu performances by Shaolin monks. In order to further understand Chinese kungfu, six months later, Bendza left Shaolin for Beijing where he spent a year formally studying Chinese language in Beijing Language and Culture University. In 1987, Bendza enrolled at Beijing Sport University where he majored in traditional kungfu.

Lacking natural talent, Bendza realized that to succeed in the field, he must learn something special. He chose to study fumogun, a traditional Chinese stick work with smart and practical moves but few practitioners. He managed to contact Wang Huafeng, a master of the fumogun, hoping to learn the skill from him. To test his will, Wang asked him to practice outside in the dead of winter. Bendza was from tropical region and had never seen snow. But Beijing's cold temperatures were tough in winter. He found it difficult to even stretch his hands out in the cold air. But he persevered and finally impressed the master, who then taught both fumogun and miaodao, a traditonal Chinese broad sword, to his foreign student for seven years.

In 1990, Bendza won top prize at his first World Wushu (martial arts) Championship. Ever since, he has taken on different styles, becoming a well-rounded kungfu master.

Another path 

Since 1992, Bendza has taken parts in more than 10 films, fulfilling his dream to be a kungfu star. However, working on the TV play series The Legend of Bruce Lee was the most impressive for him: It gave him the opportunity to finally "meet" his idol, Bruce Lee.

For Bendza, Bruce Lee is his idol who attracted him to China and supported and encouraged him during his study in China. In the TV play series, Bendza plays Jessy Glover, a friend of Bruce Lee. Glover was based on a person who is still living in the United States and is operating a kungfu school there. While shooting the play in the United States, Bendza and his colleagues visited Lee's grave to pay homage. Standing in front of the grave, Bendza was moved. "A mixture of excitement and sentiment struck me," he recalled. "I finally met the man who changed my life!"

In March 2011, Bendza landed his first role in a Chinese period film, Women Generals of the Yang Family. He was excited to play a kungfu master from an enemy force. "There are few foreign faces in ancient Chinese stories, let alone an African. The man lived in the Song Dynasty of 1,000 years ago, that was a big challenge for me," he told ChinAfrica. 

It's also the first film on which Bendza used his favorite weapon, miaodao. Unfortunately he had a rough time. The film, a tale of war, was produced in a desolate and remote region of Inner Mongolia. Bendza had to suffer not only bone-chilling cold but also pain from being maneuvered around on wires. "To make sure each move clear and sharp, for most time I remain hung by wires to keep limbs in the air," he said. "I was really scared when it got high." 

During filming, Bendza fell from a horse and hurt his hamstring in a fight, but it was worth the pain. "It's very difficult to fight with a weapon, because you have to pay attention to controlling [your] strength and displaying the characteristics of the weapon, while being smart and creative at the same time. The most important thing is perfect coordination between two people, because some moves are so dangerous that the actors may get injured in spite of wearing protective gear. But I appreciate it very much that the director gave me the opportunity to show what I have learned in the past over 20 years," he explained.

The film's director is Frankie Chan, an all-round film artist from Hong Kong, who has known Bendza for 15 years. Chan appreciates his star's talents very much. "We have worked together in several modern kungfu films, but this story of ancient Chinese war can let Bendza show more talents," said Chan. After researching to make sure that China has made contact with Africa in the Song Dynasty, Chan created a role especially for Bendza. "His passion and years of effort on Chinese kungfu impressed me so much," said the director. "I didn't offer him this role because of friendship [but because] he is qualified." 

Bendza has his own view. "All the amazing moves we see in the film are the external form of Chinese kungfu. It's essentially about man getting to know himself and nature."

Thinking of Gabon

Bendza wants to be more than a film star. "I love films and kungfu, but to help China learn more about Gabon and to promote business cooperation between China and Africa are at the top of my priority list," he said. 

Despite his years in China, Bendza has never forgotten where he was brought up. After the film Women Generals of the Yang Family finished shooting, Bendza plunged himself into the preparation of the Gabon pavilion at the 41st World Horticultural Exposition this year. Between April and October, more than 12 million visitors will come to Xi'an of Shaanxi Province to celebrate the big event. "It's another important exposition after Shanghai World Expo, and a great opportunity to introduce Gabon to the world," said Bendza. 

Bendza is also dedicated to non-governmental exchanges between China and Africa as a whole, with his connections and experience in China. Since the founding of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, he has come to believe that exchanges between the two will become more frequent and non-governmental contacts will play an important role. "Contacts between China and Africa is mostly between governments, but non-governmental organizations are working actively in Chinese cities like Guangzhou and Yiwu. I hope to build a bridge for investors and enterprises in both regions," Bendza explained.

On June 28, 2010, Bendza, together with several Africans living in China, jointly established the China-Africa International Cultural Exchange and Economic Trade Promotion Association. Founded at the African pavilion at the Shanghai World Expo, it promotes trade between the two regions. 

Introducing Chinese investors to Gabon is one of Bendza's goals. He participated in the establishment of Gabon Itinerary, Gabon's biggest travel agency, which offered services to both Chinese tourists and enterprises investing in Gabon and other surrounding African countries. "The finals of the 2012 African Cup will be held in Gabon," said Bendza. "We extend a warm welcome to Chinese tourists, officials and entrepreneurs watching the games and investing in my hometown."