Latest News
9/26/2011 12:24:46 PM
DIANA GOES TO WASHINGTON TO RECEIVE THE AMERICAN COURAGE AWARD ON OCT 6TH
DIANA INOSANTO GOES TO WASHINGTONWASHINGTON, D.C--On October 6, 2011, Diana Lee Inosanto will be awarded The American Courage Award by the Asian American Justice Center (AAJC) in Washington D.C, for the civil rights themes in her critically acclaimed movie "The SENSEI" in which Inosanto wrote, directed and produced as well as co-starred. The SENSEI is a coming of age film about a bullied gay teenager, set in 1985 when AIDS first devastated American communities.
In spite of great obstacles incurred by the surrounding controversy of making The SENSEI, Inosanto"s tenacious dedication to the cause of civil rights and use of incredible creative aptitude to deliver the message of advancing social justice is why AAJC honors her with this award.
The American Courage Award is given to an individual, company, or organization that has shown extraordinary courage or commitment to the cause of civil rights, a leader who has taken an important stand, an activist who overcame extraordinary challenges, an artist with a unique vision, or a journalist breaking an important story.
In order to make The Sensei a reality, Inosanto had to overcome many obstacles. School officials in two Colorado school districts, including Jefferson County, refused her permission to film, deeming the content of her film too controversial and subsequently resulting in the loss of one of her films major funders. In addition, Inosanto would also have to endure death threats for her making of The SENSEI. Nevertheless, Inosanto persevered. Undaunted, she did not let these setbacks keep her from delivering her powerful message of tolerance.
The 15th Annual American Courage Awards reception will culminate with the 20th Anniversary Celebration of the AAJC. The AAJC is building off a great event last fall in which they honored Lt. Dan Choi, and Dr. Franklin Odo. This year Inosanto will be joined by other awardees that include Wade Henderson , who will receive the Distinguished Service Award, Congressman Mike Honda, & President and Executive director of the Asian Pacific American Legal Center, Stewart Kwoh-who will both receive the President"s Award, and Comcast NBCUniversal will receive the Bridge Builder Award.
The public is welcomed to join the AAJC at 6:30 p.m. at t he Park Hyatt Hotel in Washington, D.C. for the 15th Annual American Courage Awards where there will be a celebration of the 20 years of advancing equality and justice. For further details, please visit www.advancingequality.org or follow on Facebook (Asian American Justice Center) and Twitter (asianamjustice). You can also contact Kristen Stehling at (202) 292-2300 x131 or kstehling@advancingequality.org. http://aajc.schipul.net/20th-Anniversary/
9/24/2011 10:57:50 AM
ARTICLE I WROTE ON GIL JOHNSON / Man Behind the Tao of JKD book
Just letting you know I"m in Black Belt magazine with an article about the new edition release of the Tao of Jeet Kune Do and the man behind it, Gil Johnson. I thought you might want to have a link to this article. Here is the link: http://bit.ly/odC4DhTHE MAN BEHIND, BRUCE LEE'S THE TAO of JEET KUNE DO
On the eve of the new rendition of the Tao of Jeet Kune Do, public awareness will be awakened again to the legendary man known that this book was by-- Bruce Lee. I smile, thinking back to when I was a child and I called this special human being "Uncle Bruce". But, there was another special human being that I regarded warmly in that same family spirit. And, when looking closely at the Tao of JKD, this other person was behind the scenes as well--a devotee who used his time and energy to building the most prolific and modern book in martial arts history. This unsung hero deserves to be remembered within the chronicles of the JKD world. His name is Gilbert Johnson.
But who is Gilbert Johnson? Why is he of major significance? Let's begin with the facticity that Gilbert was specifically chosen by Linda Lee to carefully and delicately tend to the sea of papers reflecting her now, late husband's thoughts, words, and insights to share with the world. The monumental task of organizing and preserving these writings by my Honorary Uncle would become a sacred endeavor for Gilbert-- he was co-editor to the Tao of Jeet Kune Do (and later the book, The Filipino Martial Arts by my father, Dan Inosanto). As an accomplished martial artist on his own terms, he was an inquisitive human being, and connected very much with the teachings and principles of Jeet Kune Do.
But before this mission of anthology with the Tao of JKD, Gilbert was a gifted writer and independent journalist who frequently wrote for Black Belt magazine and other publications during the 1960's-1970's. According to his family member, Gilbert experienced several life threatening events in his lifetime, but he managed to survive those. As a freelance journalist, Gil also threw himself smack into the middle of the 1979 protests in Isfahan, Iran and survived to write of his account of the Iranian Revolution. Perhaps having served in the military, Gilbert was prepared to boldly and resiliently come face-to-face with the world.
Still, Gilbert managed to have a big heart. He wanted to help people. Gilbert tried to share his enthusiasm and friendship with others no matter how old --or young. I adored this man as a child growing up. He inspired me through the pure essence of his kindness.
But, by the time the 1980's rolled around, the AIDS epidemic started to ground itself in the states. In those days in US history, AIDS was labeled the gay disease despite that in other countries it was a heterosexual disease. Sadly, Gilbert was one of the first people I knew to contract the disease via a blood transfusion he needed after being involved in a car accident and because of this, he quickly understood the discrimination and prejudice encountered by people who have contracted AIDS or the HIV virus. As a result he became an activist to make people aware that AIDS is not a gay disease and can affect anyone, that compassion is needed, not hate. In my film, The Sensei, this historical attitude has been reflected within the martial arts world, with school owners dealing with a gay student in the dojo. As a writer, director & producer he would challenge me-- mind, body and spirit--to address the prejudice that has touched the martial arts community in this way.
As a close family friend to my father and the rest of the original JKD family, Gilbert was a brilliant choice by Linda to meet the challenges of putting together the most soul searching and significant writings of my godfather. He tirelessly worked and employed the work habits of a researcher and detective studying and training with my father and the other JKD students at our family academy, humbling tucked away at that time, at our home's backyard in Carson, California.
He wanted to understand and explore through all his senses what my uncle was saying through these precious and profound documents that were left behind. And when he was done categorizing and carefully arranging the chapters of the Tao of Jeet Kune Do, I liken it to a doctor helping to deliver a child into the world.
It has been 35 years since the Tao of Jeet Kune Do was born into the public eye--I am glad that such writings will be exposed to a new generation--and that Gilbert has a place in martial arts anthology of such ground breaking and spiritual knowledge for the world to see.
---Diana Lee Inosanto
9/11/2011 8:41:39 PM
REMEMBERING THE 10TH ANNIVERSARY OF 9/11
Today, my husband Ron Balicki, our son, Zachary, and I went to the Museum of Tolerance --aka the Simon Wiesenthal Center-- to light a candle and help recite the names of those that lost their lives on 9/11. I am left with these thoughts.May We Never Forget. May We Never Become Complacent as Time Goes By. And Most Important, May We Have the Present Mind To Be Grateful Everyday For Our Loved Ones. The Journey of Life is so Precious.
7/12/2011 2:38:08 PM
DIANA ON FUEL TV NEW SERIES ON BRUCE LEE LIVES
You may see me and Dad on one of the series episodes discussing my Honorary Uncle"s (Bruce Lee) influence (or I might have ended up on the cutting floor of the editing room), but either way, there are lots of great interviews with some impressive people in our pop culture discussing him in this series. BRUCE LEE LIVES on Fuel TV7/1/2011 11:21:28 AM
Diana is First Woman to get the Maverick Award
July 30th, 2011 at AOF International FIlm Festival, I will be the first woman to receive the Maverick Award for my work and history in the entertainment field. I am very honored and I hope this achievement will open the door for other women down the road.12/5/2010 2:41:21 AM
Diana Lee Inosanto writes foreward in the newly released BRUCE LEE: CONVERSATIONS ~ Now available in bookstore world wide
Diana Lee Inosanto writes the foreward in BRUCE LEE: CONVERSATIONS by Fiaz Rafiq. "An excellent insight in Bruce Lee"s influence on some of today"s top stars-and a new perspective on the man himself." - Men"s Fitness12/5/2010 2:36:13 AM
Diana Lee Inosanto in Special U.K. Edition DVD of HOW BRUCE LEE CHANGED THE WORLD
Diana Lee Inosanto will be appearing in the U.K"s Special Edition of HOW BRUCE LEE CHANGED THE WORLD. Extended Bonus Interviews include Ms. Inosanto, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, along with other appearances by Jackie Chan, John Woo, Donnie Yen, Brett Ratner and of course his wife Linda and daughter Shannon Lee.12/4/2010 11:53:42 PM
End Bullying ~The SENSEI - the Award Winning Independent Filmmaker D. Lee Inosanto
THE SENSEI, by award winning independent filmmaker, D. Lee Inosanto, is now available
The Anti-bullying film that teaches through martial arts cinema and philosophy the destruction of bullying and the path to empathy
Purchase of The SENSEI DVD can be bought thru Pointmanproductions.com. In addition, online streaming of The SENSEI can be purchased at I-Tunes.com, NetFlix.com and Amazon. com .
International Online Distribution coming soon in 2011.