The International Women’s Day with the Malayan Tiger. Maybe because of her origins or because she is born in 1962, but Michelle Yeoh could be really seen as the famous Malayan Tiger, one of the strongest and bravest women working in the martial art cinematic industry.
Flying start
In the 80ies, Michelle Yeoh started to work in the Hong Kong martial art movies under Sammo Hung. Despite she did not practice any martial art, the young actress managed to do most of her own stunts, thanks to her background as dancer. The best stuntmen of Hong Kong helped her to learn Kung fu basics, so with her natural stage presence, became soon one of the first female protagonists of the martial art film industry. Working with those that will be the future icons of the martial art movies in the world, like: Cynthia Rothrock, Yuen Biao, Sammo Hung himself and obviously Jackie Chan.
Into the firmament
If the 80ies and the 90ies take Michelle Yeoh to the top of the popularity as “femme fatale”, becoming even Bond girl in the 007’s movie Tomorrow Never Dies, through the 2000s she manages to reach the pantheon… Ang Lee’s movie Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon marked a new age for the Wuxia genre, in which Michelle Yeoh become the perfect exponent.
A fierce tiger
Seen the past year in the Marvel masterpiece Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, later this year, Michelle Yeoh will probably shine once again exclusively on Netflix in the upcoming miniseries The Witcher: Blood Origin. Really an example for the next generation of women, remembering that the beautiful Malaysian actress is turning 60 this year!
The International Women’s Day with the Malayan Tiger has just ended, but her art is forever! What is your favorite Michelle Yeoh’s movie?