Kicking ass in Kabul: Afghan Bruce Lee impersonator goes viral

http://www.theguardian.com/film/2014/dec/11/afghan-bruce-lee-abbas-alizada-bruce-hazara?CMP=ema_861


‘Bruce Hazara’, who recreates the poses of the martial arts legend on Facebook, has become a cult figure, appearing on al-Jazeera and across global media

Ben Beaumont-Thomas
Thursday 11 December 2014 08.20 EST

With his shock of black hair and calmly handsome features, 20-year-old Abbas Alizada is the spitting image of a certain famous martial artist and film star – and armed with some nunchuks and a vest, he transforms himself into Bruce Hazara, Afghanistan’s premier Bruce Lee impersonator.

The photos and videos he posts on his Facebook page, executing high kicks and looking intensely down the lens, have now earned him viral fame. He’s earned over 50,000 followers on Twitter, al-Jazeera have filmed him in action, and Reuters have gone to Kabul to interview him.



Bruce Hazara in full flight. Photograph: Twitter: @brucehazara


“I want to be a champion in my country and a Hollywood star,” he told the latter. “The only news that comes from Afghanistan is about war ... I am happy that my story is a positive one.” He stages pictures amid the ruins of the Darul Aman Palace, and he takes the name Hazara from his tribe. “The destruction here makes me sad, but it also inspires me,” he says.

FULL story AND VIDEO at link.