The Legend Is Born: Ip Man

Set in Foshan in the early twentieth century, this Hong Kong action drama follows the youth of Ip Man, the Wing Chun master later known as Bruce Lee's teacher. As a boy he is placed under the instruction of the martial arts master Chan Wah-shun, and after the master's death he continues his training under Chan's senior student Ng Chung-so. In time he leaves Foshan for Hong Kong, where he studies further and faces hostility and discrimination from foreigners, as well as resistance from those attached to the orthodox ways of his own school.

Herman Yau directed the film, the fourth of the sixteen features he has directed in chronological order, following All of a Sudden and preceding Ip Man: The Final Fight. Erica Li and Eric Lee wrote the screenplay, and the cast is led by Yu-Hang To as Ip Man, alongside Huang Yi, Yuen Biao, Louis Fan Siu-Wong, Rose Chan Ka-Wun and the real Ip Chun, Ip Man's own son.

The film was released in June 2010 and runs 100 minutes. It took about 3 million US dollars worldwide and holds a TMDB rating of 6.9 out of 10 from 746 votes, a moderate audience response. Around thirty performers are credited.