Episoder
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Is Scott Adkins the natural successor to Jean-Claude Van Damme? Why did Andrew Koji almost quit acting only months before landing the lead role in the beloved kung fu series, Warrior? And can we expect a rematch between Indonesian action stars Joe Taslim and Iko Uwais? The answers to these questions and many more are revealed in Best of Actors, one of three compilation shows released simultaneously to celebrate the 100th episode of this podcast, which started life back in 2016. Over three episodes, I share some of my favourite conversations recorded over the last eight years of the show. On this episode, you will hear from: Cynthia Rothrock, the undisputed queen of martial arts movies, who discusses her feelings about being a role model for women in action cinema and the martial arts; Andrew Koji, the British actor whose career has gone from strength to strength after securing the lead role in the Warrior TV show, inspired by the writings of Bruce Lee; Scott Adkins, who has made five appearances on the show since its inception, who discusses his career highlights including receiving awards in China from Jackie Chan; Michiko Nishiwaki, the Japanese bodybuilder who became an action star during the golden age of Hong Kong action cinema in the 1980s and 90s; and Joe Taslim, Indonesian judo champion and one of the biggest names in modern martial arts cinema, whose films include The Raid, The Night Comes for Us, and Mortal Kombat.
If you enjoyed this 'best of' compilation episode, remember to check out Best of Directors and Best of Stunts, which have also dropped at the same time as this episode. Listen to the full conversations with all my guests who have appeared on this show via the website, kungfumovieguide.com, and everywhere you get podcasts.
LINKS
'Best of Directors': https://bit.ly/KFMGPodBestOfDirectors
'Best of Stunts': https://bit.ly/KFMGPodBestOfStunts
Cynthia Rothrock on Kung Fu Movie Guide Podcast: https://bit.ly/KFMGPodCynthiaRothrock
Andrew Koji on Kung Fu Movie Guide Podcast: https://bit.ly/KFMGPodEpisode37
Scott Adkins on Kung Fu Movie Guide Podcast: https://bit.ly/KFMGPodScottAdkins
Michiko Nishiwaki on Kung Fu Movie Guide Podcast: https://bit.ly/KFMGPodMichikoNishiwaki
Joe Taslim on Kung Fu Movie Guide Podcast: https://bit.ly/KFMGPodJoeTaslim
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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The life of a stunt performer is both exhilarating and dangerous, spectacular yet physically and mentally demanding. Stunt performers put their lives on the line every day for our viewing pleasure, yet are seemingly ostracised from the film world, especially in Hollywood where there is still no Academy Award for their service to the industry. Since this podcast was launched in 2016, I have had the pleasure of speaking to many of the leading voices in the stunt world, from stunt doubles and performers to fight trainers who work with huge movie stars to make them look awesome for the big screen, and stunt coordinators whose job it is to keep everybody safe. In this 'best of' episode - one of three compilation shows which have been released simultaneously - my guests include: Jonathan Eusebio, the legendary fight coordinator who helped to create the fighting styles for both Jason Bourne and John Wick, revolutionising Hollywood action cinema in the process; Jwaundace Candece, founder of stuntpoc.com, who is working tirelessly for better representation for stunt performers of colour in the industry; Olivia Jackson, whose life was transformed forever when a stunt went horribly wrong while doubling Milla Jovovich in Resident Evil: The Final Chapter; Rocky Taylor, Britian's oldest stunt performer, still going strong at nearly 80 years old; and Heidi Moneymaker, stunt coordinator and performer best known for doubling Scarlett Johansson as the Marvel superhero, Black Widow.
If you enjoyed this 'best of' compilation episode, then remember to check out Best of Directors and Best of Actors, which have also dropped at the same time as this episode. Listen to the full conversations with all my guests who have appeared on this show over the last eight years via the website, kungfumovieguide.com, and everywhere you get podcasts.
LINKS
'Best of Directors': https://bit.ly/KFMGPodBestOfDirectors
'Best of Actors': https://bit.ly/KFMGPodBestOfActors
Jonathan Eusebio on Kung Fu Movie Guide Podcast: https://bit.ly/KFMGPodJonathanEusebio
Jwaundace Candece on Kung Fu Movie Guide Podcast: https://bit.ly/KFMGPodEpisode58
Olivia Jackson on Kung Fu Movie Guide Podcast: https://bit.ly/KFMGPodOliviaJackson
Rocky Taylor on Kung Fu Movie Guide Podcast: https://bit.ly/KFMGPodRockyTaylor
Heidi Moneymaker on Kung Fu Movie Guide Podcast: https://bit.ly/KFMGPodHeidiMoneymaker
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Manglende episoder?
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With financing and shooting schedules shrinking, how hard is it to make a decent action movie on a low budget? How can you make your lead actor look like an action hero if they refuse to train? And is there scope in the martial arts genre for tackling more challenging topics, like homophobia and racism? In 'Best of Directors' - one of three compilation shows available now - I share some of my favourite conversations with directors who have appeared on the podcast since its inception in 2016. This includes: Hollywood stunt legend J.J. Perry, who made his directorial debut in 2022 with the vampire action comedy, Day Shift, starring Jamie Foxx; the actor and filmmaker Diana Lee Inosanto, best known for playing Magistrate Morgan Elsbeth in The Mandalorian and Ahsoka, who discusses her 2008 martial arts indie, The Sensei; Jesse V. Johnson, known for his work with UK action star Scott Adkins in films including Triple Threat, Accident Man, and Avengement; Gareth Evans, visionary director of The Raid series; and Isaac Florentine, responsible for some of the best martial arts movies of the 2000s, including the Undisputed films and Ninja series.
If you enjoyed this 'best of' compilation episode, then remember to check out Best of Stunts and Best of Actors, which have dropped simultaneously with this episode. Listen to the full conversations with all my guests who have appeared on this show over the last eight years via the website, kungfumovieguide.com, and everywhere you get podcasts.
LINKS
'Best of Stunts': https://bit.ly/KFMGPodBestOfStunts
'Best of Actors': https://bit.ly/KFMGPodBestOfActors
J.J. Perry on Kung Fu Movie Guide Podcast: https://bit.ly/KFMGPodJJPerry
Diana Lee Inosanto on Kung Fu Movie Guide Podcast: https://bit.ly/KFMGPodDianaLeeInosanto
Jesse V. Johnson on Kung Fu Movie Guide Podcast: https://bit.ly/KFMGPodJesseVJohnson
Gareth Evans on Kung Fu Movie Guide Podcast: https://bit.ly/GarethEvansKFMGPod
Isaac Florentine on Kung Fu Movie Guide Podcast: https://bit.ly/Episode67KFMGPod
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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In Part Two of our annual End of Year Show - featuring the author of 'Life of Action' Vol 1 and 2, the action movie expert Mike Fury - we discuss our favourite fight-centric action films of 2023. Which film will be crowned our favourite of the year? We also read out comments from Fu followers around the world who have been telling us their favourite martial arts movies of the year over email and social media. We also discuss some of the films that we disliked in 2023 and look ahead to the martial arts movies we are most looking forward to in 2024. A huge thank you to all the Fu followers around the world for all your support in 2023. See you in 2024!
LISTEN TO PART ONE
https://bit.ly/KFMGPodEOYShow2023PartOne
LINKS
Mike Fury's website: https://www.mikefury.net/
Mike Fury on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themikefury
Mike Fury on Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheMikeFury
Kung Fu Movie Guide website: https://bit.ly/KFMGhome
Kung Fu Movie Guide on Instagram: https://bit.ly/KFMGInstagram
Kung Fu Movie Guide on Facebook: https://bit.ly/KFMGFacebook
Kung Fu Movie Guide on X (formerly Twitter): https://bit.ly/KFMGTwitter
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Ho ho ho and happy Christmas to all the Fu followers around the world! Welcome to Part One of our annual End of Year Show, featuring the author of 'Life of Action' Vol. 1 and 2, Mike Fury. In Part One, we discuss the martial arts movie news that has been grabbing the headlines in 2023 - from Donnie Yen and Jackie Chan's many new projects, to Michelle Yeoh's success at the Oscars and the 50th anniversary of Bruce Lee's death - and remember the famous people we lost this year. We also play clips from some of the many great guests who have appeared on the podcast in 2023, including action stars Marko Zaror and Vincent Lyn, kung fu movie expert Ric Meyers and stunt performer Alyma Dorsey. And, because it's Christmas time, we also unwrap some martial arts movie themed presents, and play messages from many of our friends on the action movie scene. A huge thank you to the following people for taking part in this episode: Frank Djeng, Janell-Vela Smith, Jesse V. Johnson, Joey Ansah, JuJu Chan Szeto, Kenji Tanigaki, Loren Avedon, Mark Strange, Marko Zaror, Matt Routledge, Matthias Hues, Max Huang, Mike Leeder, Philip Ng, Richard Norton, Ricky Baker, Samm Deighan, Sarah Chang, and Soo Cole. Thank you to all the Fu followers around the world for all your support in 2023.
LISTEN TO PART TWO
https://bit.ly/KFMGPodEOYShow2023PartTwo
LINKS
Mike Fury's website: https://www.mikefury.net/
Mike Fury on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themikefury
Mike Fury on Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheMikeFury
Kung Fu Movie Guide website: https://bit.ly/KFMGhome
Kung Fu Movie Guide on Instagram: https://bit.ly/KFMGInstagram
Kung Fu Movie Guide on Facebook: https://bit.ly/KFMGFacebook
Kung Fu Movie Guide on X (formerly Twitter): https://bit.ly/KFMGTwitter
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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From Chile to Mexico to Hollywood - and back again - Marko Zaror's incredible rise in the action world reached a new crescendo in 2023. Known as the 'Latin Dragon', Marko's scene-stealing performance as the main heavy, Chidi, in Chad Stahelski's masterpiece, 'John Wick: Chapter 4', saw him duel on-screen with fight legends Hiroyuki Sanada, Donnie Yen and Keanu Reeves; meanwhile, back in his home country of Chile, he reunited with his childhood friend - the filmmaker Ernesto Díaz Espinoza - to produce and star in their fifth indie action film together, the deeply personal 'The Fist of the Condor'. Now capable of shifting between key roles in huge productions and making his own movies the way he wants them to be made, Zaror has reached a sweet-spot in his career - but it has not been an easy journey with plenty of bumps along the way. At one point, he even considered retiring from the film industry altogether, and training to become a professional MMA fighter, until a timely conversation with Robert Rodriguez convinced him otherwise. He has since gone on to work with Rodriguez in many film and TV projects, including 'Machete Kills', 'From Dusk Till Dawn: The Series', and 'Alita: Battle Angel'. In this conversation, Marko explores his roots as a Bruce Lee-obsessed kid in Chile with a dream of making it in the movies, to eventually ripping up the screen in one of the biggest - and best - action franchises in Hollywood history.
LINKS
Marko Zaror on IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1047252/
Marko Zaror on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/markozaror/
Marko Zaror on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/markozaroroficial
Marko Zaror profile on Kung Fu Movie Guide: https://bit.ly/ProfileMarkoZaror
'Fist of the Condor' trailer: https://youtu.be/x53EpE12AsY
'Fist of the Condor' review on Kung Fu Movie Guide: https://bit.ly/FistOfTheCondor2023
'John Wick: Chapter 4' review on Kung Fu Movie Guide: https://bit.ly/JohnWickChapter4KFMG
'Kiltro' review on Kung Fu Movie Guide: https://bit.ly/Kiltro2006
Our not-so-comprehensive list of fight-centric action films released in 2023: https://bit.ly/KFMGPodEOYShow2023PartOne
SPONSOR
This episode is sponsored by 'Five Deadly Rebels', a kung fu sci-fi scripted podcast from DimensionGate, available now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts and anywhere you get your podcasts. 'Five Deadly Rebels' is a modern day retelling of 'Five Deadly Venoms', the cult classic 1970s kung fu film produced by the Shaw Brothers. Its classic kung fu meets the gangster genre, meets science fiction, all set in present-day New York City. The soundtrack is from Wu-Tang Clan producer, Cilvaringz. The season finale drops Wednesday 13 December. 'Five Deadly Rebels' is narrated by Ian Tuason for DimensonGate - a fiction podcast production company.
'Five Deadly Rebels' website: https://www.fivedeadlyrebels.com/
Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0SpeVIDiKxISPC1am0d9Ta
Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3sbe40O
Listen to a sample of the show on YouTube: https://youtu.be/n_MXpCvK4MQ?si=bmJQ6tiS5OnitlvI
Listen to the trailer on YouTube: https://youtu.be/MotN_D8Jfs0?si=hPBq0YJegir-vCnR
DimensionGate website: https://www.dimensiongate.com/
DimensionGate YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@DimensionGateInc
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It has been over a decade since we last spoke in-depth to the author and kung fu movie expert, Ric Meyers - the man responsible for introducing much of America to the classics of martial arts cinema over a writing career spanning five decades. His books - including 1985's 'Martial Arts Movies: From Bruce Lee to the Ninjas', 1995's 'The Encyclopedia of Martial Arts Movies', 2001's 'Great Martial Arts Movies: From Bruce Lee to Jackie Chan and More', and 2011's 'Films of Fury' project, which involved both a book and a documentary - are essential resources for any serious fan of kung fu cinema.
Now aged 70, Ric shows no signs of slowing down. He is still offering his honest, forthright opinion on modern action movies - particularly in his role as a regular reviewer on the 'That Phat Samurai Guy' YouTube channel - and as the long-standing compere of the annual Kung Fu Extravaganza event at San Diego Comic-Con, which just celebrated its 26th anniversary. On this episode, Ben catches up with Ric on the kung fu movies he has enjoyed in the last decade since they last spoke, the future of the genre, and how his own martial arts journey is progressing. As a kung fu practitioner, Ric has developed a keen eye on authenticity in kung fu cinema, something he feels is distinctly lacking from the genre today - although he does recognise and celebrate the filmmakers still trying to convey a more accurate portrayal of kung fu practice on-screen, acknowledging the works of Jackie Chan and the director, Xu Haofeng.
LINKS
Ric Meyers on IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1838515/
Ric Meyers on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ric_Meyers
Ric Meyers on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ricmeyers
Ric Meyers on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ricmeyers
Ric Meyers on 'That Phat Samurai Guy' YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=that+phat+samurai+guy+ric+meyers
Buy 'From Bruce Lee to the Ninjas: Martial Arts Movies' by Bill Palmer, Karen Palmer, Amy Harlib and Ric Meyers on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Bruce-Lee-Ninjas-Martial-Movies/dp/0806510099/
Buy 'The Encyclopedia of Martial Arts Movies' by Bill Palmer, Karen Palmer and Ric Meyers on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Encyclopedia-Martial-Arts-Movies-ebook/dp/B00CG16G2W/
Buy 'Great Martial Arts Movies: From Bruce Lee to Jackie Chan and More' by Ric Meyers on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Great-Martial-Arts-Movies-Citadel/dp/0806520264/
Buy 'Films of Fury: The Kung Fu Movie Book' by Ric Meyers on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Films-Fury-Kung-Movie-Book/dp/0979998948/
Buy 'They Shouldn't Have Killed His Dog: The Complete Uncensored Ass-Kicking Oral History of John Wick, Gun Fu, and the New Age of Action' by Edward Gross and Mark A. Altman on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/They-Shouldnt-Have-Killed-His/dp/1250278430/
'Iron Fists and Kung Fu Kicks' review on Kung Fu Movie Guide: https://bit.ly/IronFistsAndKungFuKicks2019
The calligraphy fight from 'The Magnificent Butcher' (1979): https://youtu.be/V7A0M5u_Pas?si=iGjI5BNoSxfzhw-I
Ric's eBay sellers account, Chimera Publishing: https://www.ebay.com/str/chimerapublishing
Kung Fu Movie Guide interview with Ric Meyers from 2011, updated 2013: http://kungfumovieguide.com/interview-ric-meyers/
WHAT WERE YOUR FAVOURITE FIGHT FILMS OF 2023?
Check out our not-very-comprehensive list on the Kung Fu Movie Guide website: https://bit.ly/KFMGPodEOYShow2023PartOne
Let us know your favourite films - and why - and your comment could be read out on our End of Year Show 2023, featuring 'Life of Action Vol. 1 and 2' author Mike Fury. Email your response to [email protected], or message us on social media.
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Vincent Lyn's short career in Hong Kong action movies may only span a few years, but his good looks, martial arts abilities and acting skills saw him work with some of the biggest names in the industry, operating at the height of their powers. The list includes Donnie Yen, Yuen Woo-ping, Corey Yuen, Cynthia Rothrock, Cynthia Khan, Simon Yam, and Jackie Chan. He admits he had no idea that the films he was making would go on to become so influential and cherished by generations of action fans around the world. In fact, given the ad-hoc nature and breakneck speed of Hong Kong filmmaking, he sometimes had very little concept of which film he was working on at any given time, moving from set to set as part of a staple of dependable 'gweilo' fighters who always played the villain, and ultimately got their asses kicked by the lead.
His final Hong Kong film role was as the main heavy in the Jackie Chan adventure, 'Armour of God II: Operation Condor' (1991), before he returned to the USA to pursue a multitude of other talents. He became a kung fu instructor (teaching his own family style, Ling Gar Kung Fu), a Grammy Award-nominated musician, a philanthropist and humanitarian. His charity, We Can Save Children, has seen him visit some of the poorest parts of the world in a bid to end the exploitation of children. He can often be found travelling the world, meeting with dignitaries and governments, and talking at the UN. When he's not focused on his charity work, he can be found behind the piano - something he learned from his musical mother at a very young age. Vincent's new immersive album, 'Elysian Eclipse', is available now.
LINKS
Vincent Lyn on IMDb:
Vincent Lyn on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vincent.lyn.50/
Vincent Lyn on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vincent.lyn.50/
Vincent Lyn profile on Kung Fu Movie Guide: https://bit.ly/ProfileVincentLyn
We Can Save Children website: https://www.wecansavechildren.org/
Listen to 'Elysian Eclipse': https://exxeo.xyz/elysian-eclipse/
Robert Samuels on the Kung Fu Movie Guide Podcast: https://bit.ly/RobertSamuelsKFMGPod
'Tiger Cage' (1988) review on Kung Fu Movie Guide: https://bit.ly/KFMGTigerCage
'The Blonde Fury' (1989) review on Kung Fu Movie Guide: https://bit.ly/TheBlondeFury1989
'Armour of God II: Operation Condor' (1991) review on Kung Fu Movie Guide: https://bit.ly/ArmourOfGod2
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Over the last decade, Germany has become a hotbed of aspiring young martial arts talent who have seen their careers grow from DIY short films on YouTube to massive Hollywood productions. Cologne-born Vi-Dan Tran is a wushu practitioner and Hong Kong movie fan. His passions led to a career in stunts and eventually membership of the hallowed Jackie Chan Stunt Team, working with the man himself on movies like 'The Foreigner' and 'Bleeding Steel'. Nowadays, Vi-Dan Tran can be found behind-the-scenes working on the action design of some of Hollywood's biggest movies, from 'Shang-Chi' to 'Dune'. His latest film is 'Knights of the Zodiac', a live-action take on Japan's popular 'Saint Seiya' manga series. It's pretty clear that Vi-Dan Tran will be directing feature films soon enough, and he admits that he couldn't have achieved so much if it wasn't for the strong bonds he has made within the German martial arts filmmaking community.
It was Vi-Dan Tran who helped to bring fellow German martial artist Lorenz Hideyoshi onto the set of 'Dune', where he worked as Timothée Chalamet's stunt double for both films in the series. Lorenz is equally puzzled as to why there are so many Germans of his generation working in the action film business; people like Andy Long, Max Huang, Mike Möller, Julia Schunevitsch, Can Aydin, Cha-Lee Yoon, Phong Giang, not to mention Lorenz's own brother, Felix Fukuyoshi. Despite their individual successes, they can all still be found jumping into each other's projects, as demonstrated by Lorenz with his stand-out appearances in great martial arts movies like 'Plan B' and 'Luc Van Tien'. A multitalented artist in his own right, Lorenz's new short film is called 'Daddy Issues', a fun kung fu throwback in which he stars, co-writes and co-directs.
LINKS
Lorenz Hideyoshi on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lorenzhideyoshi/
Lorenz Hideyoshi on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HideyoshiR
Lorenz Hideyoshi on IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3947656/
Lorenz's production company, Young Masters, on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@youngmasters
'Daddy Issues' short film: https://youtu.be/IXoAnSBrXgw
'Dark Jedi: A Star Wars Fan Film': https://youtu.be/Qh83vsRzgAY?si=N63y--lkLAiC8QqH
'Dune' stunt team fight scene - Vi-Dan Tran versus Lorenz Hideyoshi: https://youtu.be/B_dtwG8GG7g
'Dune: Part Two' trailer: https://youtu.be/_YUzQa_1RCE
'Amazon Taps Lucas Carter To Pen Remake Of German Actioner ‘Plan B’; Sylvester Stallone Among Producers', Variety.com: https://deadline.com/2022/07/amazon-studios-remaking-german-actioner-plan-b-penned-by-lucas-carter-1235080073/
'Plan B' (2016) review: http://kungfumovieguide.com/plan-b-2016/
'Luc Van Tien: Kung Fu Warrior' (2017) review: http://kungfumovieguide.com/luc-van-tien-kung-fu-warrior-2017/
'Duty - Out of Line' short film: https://youtu.be/_Wa-cNx391g?si=GKN_xBD6mhK41Nc_
Vi-Dan Tran on IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm4263148/
Vi-Dan Tran on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vi_dan/
Vi-Dan's production company, T7 Productions, on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@T7pro
'Darth Maul: Apprentice - A Star Wars Fan Film': https://youtu.be/Djo_91jN3Pk?si=A7sfj4m36Y-qhPh3
'Cyberpunk 2077: Phoenix Program Fan Film': https://youtu.be/JJdtkKNQKJ4
'Knights of the Zodiac' (2023) review: http://kungfumovieguide.com/knights-of-the-zodiac-2023/
Max Huang on the Kung Fu Movie Guide Podcast: http://kungfumovieguide.com/kfmg-podcast-s06-episode-73-max-huang/
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We have a directors double bill on this episode of the Kung Fu Movie Guide Podcast, featuring conversations with two filmmakers who have both released independent martial arts movies in 2023.
Froukje Tan is a Dutch filmmaker who specialises in telling family-orientated stories which are accessible to all. Her new film - her first in the directors' chair for over a decade - combines her knowledge of child development and the martial arts, herself being a long-time practitioner of southern style kung fu. Set in her home city of Rotterdam, 'Kung Fu Leeuw' - aka 'Kung Fu Lion' - tells the story of two troubled teenage boys who are brought together by their sifu (played by kung fu movie star Lau Kar-yung) to perform the traditional Chinese lion dance. The film received rave reviews following its release in February 2023 in the Netherlands, and it continues to be screened at film festivals around the world, including the Fighting Spirit Film Festival in London, where it received its UK premiere in September. It will also be screened as part of the International Kids Film Festival which runs from 14-30 November across India, the Middle East, South Asia and Southeast Asia.
Another martial arts film screened at this year's Fighting Spirit Film Festival was 'Walid', a Malaysian action movie focusing on the horrific crime of human trafficking. It is the second directorial effort from filmmaker Areel Abu Bakar, who launched onto the Malaysian martial arts scene in 2019 with his great Silat film, 'The Deed of Death'. The title character of Walid (played by Megat Sharizal) is a kind teacher who transforms into all-out super-killer when one of his pupils - an illiterate immigrant girl - is kidnapped and sold into the child sex trade. Bakar - himself a Silat practitioner - once again calls upon his many training buddies to help deliver punishing, violent action scenes which have been stunning - and surprising - audiences around the world following its world premiere in New York in July 2023. The film is scheduled for a wider online release in December 2023.
LINKS
Froukje Tan on IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1717961/
Froukje Tan on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/froukjetan/
Froukje Tan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/froukjetan/
'Kung Fu Lion' trailer: https://youtu.be/R4TYRYrvB1M
'Kung Fu Lion' review on Kung Fu Movie Guide: http://kungfumovieguide.com/kung-fu-lion-2023/
International Kids Film Festival, 14-30 November: https://www.ikff.in/
'Steam' short film, directed by Pau Han-kho: https://youtu.be/uRLH8JTbqCs?si=T4xg_82noWilmlqS
Areel Abu Bakar on IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm4702675/
'Walid' trailer: https://youtu.be/U8DJQDOmhzU
'Walid' page on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/filemwalid/
'Walid' page on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FilemWalid
Layar Pictures YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@layarpicturessdnbhd7468
'Walid' review on Kung Fu Movie Guide: http://kungfumovieguide.com/walid-2023/
'The Deed of Death' review on Kung Fu Movie Guide: http://kungfumovieguide.com/the-deed-of-death-2019/
For more details about the 2023 Fighting Spirit Film Festival, visit https://www.fightingspiritfilmfestival.com/.
Listen to Ben Johnson on Episode 137 of the SpyHards Podcast, 'Enter the Dragon' special: https://www.spyhards.com/e/137-enter-the-dragon-1973/
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The martial artist, instructor, writer, actor, painter, fight choreographer, singer and all-round entertainer Eric Lee got his nickname - the 'King of Kata' - after winning a string of trophies throughout the 1960s, 70s and 80s. He has over 100 world titles, and was the undefeated forms and weapons champion from 1970 to 1974. Over the years, his kung fu demonstrations escalated to include music, lighting, comedy, acting and sound effects, and his entertaining mix of martial arts and performance wowed audiences around the world. He would quickly become a regular fixture in the fight press, and a career in action movies followed. One of his earliest roles was with the director, Sam Peckinpah, on 'The Killer Elite' in 1975, but perhaps Lee's most famous role was in John Carpenter's cult classic, 'Big Trouble in Little China' (1986), playing a villain in Lo Pan's gang. As an actor and fight choreographer, he has appeared in over 80 movies and TV productions, and worked with many of the best martial artists in the action genre - including Jackie Chan, Cynthia Rothrock, Don "The Dragon" Wilson, Benny "The Jet" Urquidez, Bolo Yeung, Billy Blanks, and many more. Now in his mid-70s, Eric may have retired from competition, but he continues to pick up new interests and hobbies. In this wide-ranging conversation, we discuss his early years in China and his training in Hong Kong; the feedback he received when introducing kung fu to American audiences; his move from stunt performer to actor to working behind-the-scenes; and his love of all things music. Eric is also a published author; his instructional books include '3 Sectional Staff', 'The Broadsword', and 'Fight Back: Your Guide to Self-Defence'. His latest book, an autobiography called 'The Journey of an Artist', is out now.
LINKS
Eric Lee's website: https://ericlee.com/
Eric Lee on IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0497224/
Eric Lee on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@grandmasterericlee4240
Eric Lee profile on Kung Fu Movie Guide: https://bit.ly/EricLeeProfile
Buy 'The Journey of an Artist' by Grandmaster Eric Lee on Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Journey-Artist-Grandmaster-Eric-Lee-ebook/dp/B08L8T7WXY
'Big Trouble in Little China' (1986) review on Kung Fu Movie Guide: http://bit.ly/BigTroubleInLittleChina
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Women have been performing stunts in movies since the advent of cinema, but over the decades, their voice and influence in the industry has become marginalised. From fears of being overlooked, undermined or replaced, to the notion of "wigging" - male stunt performers doubling female characters - and concerns over sexual harassment, safety and security, April Wright's fascinating 2020 documentary, 'Stuntwomen: The Untold Hollywood Story', tells the shocking truth of how women - and other marginalised communities - have had to fight, quite literally, to be heard in a business predominantly run by white men. Using exclusive interviews with today's top female stunt performers and actors (including Michelle Rodriguez, Amy Johnston, Alyma Dorsey, and Heidi and Renae Moneymaker), and the pioneering women who paved the way for greater gender equity (including Jeannie Epper, Julie Ann Johnson and Jadie David), the documentary is a rip-roaring, high-kicking, full-throttle depiction of a stunt industry caught between the mistakes of the past and the need for progression. In this special stuntwomen-themed episode, listen to its director, April Wright, discuss what she learned during the making of the documentary, as she lifts the lid on some of Hollywood's darkest secrets. Plus, listen to versatile stunt performer Alyma Dorsey ('The Matrix Resurrections', 'Joker', 'Captain America: Civil War') explain her first-hand experience of working in the stunt industry as not only a woman, but also a Black woman, and the challenges she has had to face during her long and distinguished career. 'Stuntwomen: The Untold Hollywood Story' is available to buy and rent in the UK on Apple TV. April Wright's new documentary, 'Back to the Drive-In', is available to buy and rent on digital platforms in the USA courtesy of Uncork'd Entertainment.
LINKS
Watch 'Stuntwomen: The Untold Hollywood Story' on Apple TV: https://tv.apple.com/gb/movie/stuntwomen-the-untold-hollywood-story/umc.cmc.1nlx2mlmowxo9eyaomocg3zz5
'Stuntwomen: The Untold Hollywood Story' trailer: https://youtu.be/Dt6fvbB9uXw
'Stuntwomen: The Untold Hollywood Story' review on Kung Fu Movie Guide: https://bit.ly/StuntwomenKFMGReview
Buy the book, 'Stuntwomen: The Untold Hollywood Story' by Mollie Gregory, on Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Stuntwomen-Untold-Hollywood-Screen-Classics-ebook/dp/B00WNGD0OC/
April Wright on IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2119697/
April Wright on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/april_wright_1999/
April Wright on Twitter: https://twitter.com/driveindoc
Alyma Dorsey stuntreel: https://youtu.be/Mtr-wheImBs
Alyma Dorsey on IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm5219486/
Alyma Dorsey on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alymadorsey/
Alyma Dorsey on Twitter: https://twitter.com/AlymaDorsey1
Alyma Dorsey on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@alymadorsey9799
Watch 'Back to the Drive-In': https://www.amazon.com/gp/video/detail/0J1T05LM0KY496HM6MAXDTQMQZ
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Keith Cooke is one of action cinema's all-time greatest kickers. From his explosive triple kicks as Muay Thai instructor Prang in the cult classic, The King of the Kickboxers, to his turns in costume as Reptile and Sub-Zero in the 1990s Mortal Kombat movies, Cooke's poise, energy and talent marked him out as one of the most engaging breakout martial arts stars of the 1990s. It was a phone call from none other than Enter the Dragon producer Fred Weintraub that transformed Cooke's fortunes in Hollywood. A karate world champion and three-time 'Competitor of the Year', not to mention an expert in a range of martial arts styles, Cooke's first forays into action movies were small-scale, until Weintraub cast him as Dakota, the high-kicking Native American sidekick to China O'Brien in Cynthia Rothrock's USA debut. Co-produced by Golden Harvest in Hong Kong, the film and its sequel became huge hits in the highly lucrative straight-to-video market. Although his fans may know him from his iconic film roles, Cooke's real passion is teaching. He taught generations of fighters from his Brentwood school for nearly 30 years, until he was forced to close its doors during the Covid-19 pandemic. Now he is launching a new online training programme and product, called The Ring Workout, a system designed to help people maintain strength, definition and fitness by working on the most comprehensive muscle group - the core. Now aged 63, Keith seems as fit now as he ever was - so what's his secret? And given his extensive fight knowledge, what style does he think is the best? And how does the new Mortal Kombat movie stack up to the original films?
LINKS
The Ring Workout: https://keithcookefitness.com/
Keith Cooke on IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0177455/
Keith Cooke on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/keithcookefit/
Keith Cooke on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/keithcookestudio/
Keith Cooke profile on Kung Fu Movie Guide: https://bit.ly/ProfileKeithCooke
'The King of the Kickboxers' (1991) review: http://bit.ly/KingOfTheKickboxers
'Mortal Kombat' (1995) review: http://bit.ly/MortalKombat1995
'Mortal Kombat: Annihilation' (1997) review: http://bit.ly/MortalKombatAnnihilation1997
Episode page on Kung Fu Movie Guide: https://bit.ly/KeithCookeKFMGPod
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When Asian action cinema expert, producer and casting director Mike Leeder left his job in a Croydon department store to go on holiday to Hong Kong, little did he know that - 32 years later - he would still be there. Before he fell in love with the city, he fell in love with its movies; a blossoming romance which started with a Jackie Chan double bill of Snake in the Eagle's Shadow and Drunken Master, and has led him to working on many of Hong Kong's biggest and best productions over the last three decades; from Fist of Legend to Fearless, True Legend to Once Upon a Time in China, Man of Tai Chi to the Ip Man series. On screen, he has been on the receiving end of a headlock from Jean-Claude Van Damme and refereed a kung fu battle with Jet Li, as well as working with the likes of Jackie Chan, Sammo Hung, Scott Adkins, Mark Dacascos, Donnie Yen, Yuen Woo-ping, and many more. Over the years, his encyclopaedic knowledge and passion for Hong Kong movies has seen him contribute many articles and interviews to leading magazines and websites, as well as providing his voice to audio commentaries for Blu-ray labels across the UK, USA and Europe. In this wide-ranging conversation, we discuss his life in the UK before his journey east; that time he went to interview Jackie Chan, and what happened next; the lack of film preservation in Hong Kong; and how not to get noticed in the martial arts movie world.
LINKS
Mike Leeder on IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0498566/
Mike Leeder on Twitter: https://twitter.com/bigmikeleeder
Mike Leeder on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bigmikeleeder/
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The wait is over! We can now finally reveal our favourite fight films of 2022 in Part Two of our annual End of Year Show, featuring Mike Fury, the action movie expert and author of Life of Action Vol. I-II. As is tradition with this show, neither Ben or Mike are aware of what the other person has selected for inclusion in their personal top five list; will there be consensus, or will it end in a bloody fight to the death? Top picks for 2022 include a strong roster of big-budget superhero carnage from the Marvel and D.C. cinematic universes; quirky, offbeat action comedies; DTV slugfests from giants of the genre (Michael Jai White, Gary Daniels, Dolph Lundgren, Scott Adkins and more); and international sleeper hits buried on streaming platforms, from countries including Japan, Malaysia and South Korea. They also select the worst martial arts movies of the year, read out comments from our listeners, and look ahead to the many high-kicking adventures coming our way in 2023. It's a festive, fun-packed show. So sit back, relax, make yourself another 'snowball', and enjoy! And if you want to play along at home, visit this link to find a not-very-comprehensive list of fight-centric action films released in 2022. https://bit.ly/EndOfYearShow2022Part2
LINKS
Listen to Part One of our End of Year Show 2022: https://bit.ly/EndOfYearShow2022Part1
Donate to the Kung Fu Movie Guide: https://paypal.me/kungfumovieguide
Mike Fury's website: https://www.mikefury.net/
Buy Life of Action Vol. I-II: https://www.mikefury.net/shop
Mike Fury on Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheMikeFury
Mike Fury on Instagram: http://instagram.com/themikefury
Mike Fury on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lifeofactionbook
Follow Kung Fu Movie Guide on Twitter: http://bit.ly/KFMGTwitter
Follow Kung Fu Movie Guide on Instagram: http://bit.ly/KFMGInstagram
Follow Kung Fu Movie Guide on Facebook: http://bit.ly/KFMGFacebook
Kung Fu Movie Guide Podcast on Spotify: http://bit.ly/KFMGPod
Kung Fu Movie Guide Podcast on Apple Podcasts: http://bit.ly/KFMGPodApplePodcasts
Kung Fu Movie Guide Podcast on Google Podcasts: https://bit.ly/GooglePodcastsKFMGPod
Mike's T-shirt, 'Invincible Armour' by 36 Styles: https://www.36styles.com/
Ben's T-shirt, 'Fighting Spirit Film Festival 2022' design by ShaolinJaa (https://www.instagram.com/shaolinjaa/) and Crike99Art (https://www.instagram.com/crike99art/), available via Art Martial Clothing: https://artmartialclothing.com/
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It's the most wonderful time of the year... that's right, the time when we release our special annual two-part End of Year Show, in which we look back over the best and worst that martial arts movies had to offer in 2022. Podcast host Ben Johnson is joined once again by Mike Fury, film expert and author of 'Life of Action Vol. I-II'. In Part One, Ben and Mike discuss the big stories that grabbed the martial arts movie headlines in 2022, play Christmas messages recorded especially for the show by some of the biggest names in martial arts movies - including the likes of Kenji Tanigaki, Philip Ng, Scott Adkins, JuJu Chan, Loren Avedon, Richard Norton and many more - and, because it's Christmas time, they also exchange a few presents. So sit back, relax, make yourself a 'snowball', and enjoy!
LINKS
Listen to Part Two of our End of Year Show 2022: https://bit.ly/EndOfYearShow2022Part2
Donate to the Kung Fu Movie Guide: https://paypal.me/kungfumovieguide
Mike Fury's website: https://www.mikefury.net/
Buy Life of Action Vol. I-II: https://www.mikefury.net/shop
Mike Fury on Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheMikeFury
Mike Fury on Instagram: http://instagram.com/themikefury
Mike Fury on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lifeofactionbook
Follow Kung Fu Movie Guide on Twitter: http://bit.ly/KFMGTwitter
Follow Kung Fu Movie Guide on Instagram: http://bit.ly/KFMGInstagram
Follow Kung Fu Movie Guide on Facebook: http://bit.ly/KFMGFacebook
Kung Fu Movie Guide Podcast on Spotify: http://bit.ly/KFMGPod
Kung Fu Movie Guide Podcast on Apple Podcasts: http://bit.ly/KFMGPodApplePodcasts
Kung Fu Movie Guide Podcast on Google Podcasts: https://bit.ly/GooglePodcastsKFMGPod
Mike's T-shirt, 'Invincible Armour' by 36 Styles: https://www.36styles.com/
Ben's T-shirt, 'Fighting Spirit Film Festival 2022' design by ShaolinJaa (https://www.instagram.com/shaolinjaa/) and Crike99Art (https://www.instagram.com/crike99art/), available via Art Martial Clothing: https://artmartialclothing.com/
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It was a screening of 1972's 'Five Fingers of Death' (aka 'King Boxer') that would transform the life of Robert "Bobby" Samuels. At that time, he could not have foreseen that he would go on to become the first African American member of the Hong Kong Stuntman Association, a star of martial arts action cinema, a Hung Gar expert training under kung fu master and actor, Chiu Chi-ling, and a close personal friend of Sammo Hung - one of the biggest names in kung fu movies. Bobby's story is one of dogged determination and commitment to a singular vision; to break free from his humble beginnings in West Philadelphia, USA, and launch himself onto the silver screen in Hong Kong. All roads lead to a fateful meeting with Sammo Hung in the early 1990s, and prominent roles in his films 'The Gambling Ghost' (1991) and 'Don't Give a Damn' (1995) followed. The two developed a close personal friendship, one that continues to this day. On this episode, we discuss Bobby's experiences of living with Sammo and his family, collaborating on his films, and working with the best in the business at the height of their powers - people like Yuen Biao, Lam Ching-ying, Yuen Woo-ping, Collin Chou, and many more. Since returning to the USA, Bobby can increasingly be found behind the camera as a director and producer, helping to inspire and promote the next generation of action stars. In 2021, he made his feature film directorial debut with the action comedy, 'Made in Chinatown', starring members of the cast of 'The Sopranos', and co-directing with the Hollywood stunt legend, James Lew. The film is available now to rent and buy on digital platforms.
LINKS
Robert Samuels on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/samuels_r
Robert Samuels on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/robertbobbysamuels
Robert Samuels on IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0760512/
Robert Samuels profile on Kung Fu Movie Guide: https://bit.ly/RobertSamuelsProfile
'Made in Chinatown' trailer on YouTube: https://youtu.be/Q4n4U9a_qK8
'Made in Chinatown' review on Kung Fu Movie Guide: https://bit.ly/MadeInChinatown2021
'Shadow Fist' short film on YouTube: https://youtu.be/v4tZdwssIBs
'Shadow Fist II' short film on YouTube: https://youtu.be/9yNgHg4xK90
'Jugando Con Fuego' short film on YouTube: https://youtu.be/gkURqr5fRLg
'The Gambling Ghost' review on Kung Fu Movie Guide: https://bit.ly/TheGamblingGhost1991
'The Red Wolf' review on Kung Fu Movie Guide: https://bit.ly/TheRedWolf1995
'Don't Give a Damn' review on Kung Fu Movie Guide: http://bit.ly/DontGiveADamn95
TAKE PART IN OUR 2022 END OF YEAR SHOW
Tell us your favourite fight films of the year - and why - and your comment could be read out on our annual End of Year Show, landing during the week of Christmas and featuring the action movie expert, Mike Fury. And if you're not sure what to choose, please consult this selected list of fight-centric action films released in 2022: https://bit.ly/EndOfYearShow2022Part1
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Scott Adkins is in a good mood. The response to his latest martial arts movie, 'Accident Man: Hitman's Holiday' - the sequel to his dream project, 2018's 'Accident Man', based on a cherished British comic book he loved as a kid - has been incredibly positive, with many fans claiming it to be one of his best movies. In a gruelling 22-day shoot, Adkins - as producer, story developer, fight choreographer and lead actor - has managed to turn around another action-packed and entertaining indie which delivers way beyond its limited schedule and budget, full to bursting with belly laughs and great fight scenes. As the assassin, Mike Fallon - a hitman who disguises all of his kills as accidents - we find Adkins in a role he clearly loves to play; self-deprecating, goofy, but with a lethal set of skills. During this conversation - Scott's fifth appearance on the show - we discuss the making of the 'Accident Man' sequel, and why he believes it betters the first; what it was like working with the film's directors, the Kirby brothers, making their feature film debut; and the preparation involved in delivering such incredible action, including sparring with the film's exhaustive list of awesome, battle-ready co-stars, including Sarah Chang, Beau Fowler, Faisal Mohammed and Andy Long. We also look ahead to his role in 'John Wick: Chapter 4', scheduled for release on 24 March 2023 - and we finally discover Scott Adkins' favourite martial arts film of all time. 'Accident Man: Hitman's Holiday' is available to rent on digital in the UK courtesy of Sony Pictures Home Entertainment.
LINKS
Scott Adkins on Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheScottAdkins
Scott Adkins on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thescottadkins/
Scott Adkins on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/officialscottadkins
Scott Adkins on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHO1XcwkJmTS0Hb1NkBks9A
'The Art of Action' web series: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL6TGfz7ZsXZ0nmlpNccSWr8Q_3xAr4Slj
'Accident Man: Hitman's Holiday' trailer: https://youtu.be/YwJ8AFMUrPo
'Accident Man: Hitman's Holiday' review on Kung Fu Movie Guide: https://bit.ly/AccidentManHitmansHoliday
'John Wick: Chapter 4' trailer: https://youtu.be/qEVUtrk8_B4
Variety article: 'Zoe Saldaña Held Her Breath Underwater for Five Minutes While Filming ‘Avatar 2,’ James Cameron Hired ’World’s Best Breath-Hold Specialists’: https://variety.com/2022/film/news/zoe-saldana-avatar-2-training-held-breathe-5-minutes-underwater-1235413876/
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When Jimmy Wang Yu died on 5 April 2022 at the age of 79, Jackie Chan took to his social media accounts to pay his respects, stating that "the contributions you've made to kung fu movies and the support and wisdom you’ve given to the younger generations will always be remembered in the industry." But Wang Yu's legacy is a complicated one. Despite being a huge Hong Kong martial arts star in the 1960s and 70s, his international status has now been overshadowed by his contemporaries - especially Bruce Lee - and his infamous off-screen antics have, particularly in Asia, threatened to overwhelm his cinematic contributions. However, he unquestionably remains one of kung fu cinema's most influential figures; Shaw Brothers' first martial arts star whose break-out role in the wuxia classic, 'One-Armed Swordsman' (1967), helped it to become the first Hong Kong film to gross HK$1m at the box office. His pioneering directorial debut, 'The Chinese Boxer' (1970), is credited for being the first empty-hand kung fu movie - a runaway hit which saw the martial arts genre move away from the traditional swordplay films which had made Wang Yu a household name, and paving the way for the kung fu boom of the 1970s. The film was also the catalyst for the rebellious star to break his contract with Shaw Brothers, an unprecedented move which saw him work with the rival studio, Golden Harvest, and relocate to Taiwan where he was allocated the freedom to write, direct and star in many of his own productions, including the fan favourites 'One-Armed Boxer' (1971), 'Beach of the War Gods' (1973), and 'Master of the Flying Guillotine' (1975). Joining me to look back over the colourful life and career of the late Jimmy Wang Yu are the writer and film historian, Samm Deighan, and the Asian cinema expert, Frank Djeng. We dive into Wang Yu's early life and interests, his cinematic inspirations, his notorious private life and affiliations with criminal gangs, and we select our favourite Wang Yu movies. Samm Deighan is a Philadelphia-based writer and film historian, author of 'The Legacy of World War II in European Arthouse Cinema' and a presenter on the cult film podcast, 'Twitch of the Death Nerve'. Frank Djeng is an Asian cinema expert based in San Francisco.
LINKS
Jimmy Wang Yu profile on Kung Fu Movie Guide: http://bit.ly/JimmyWangYu
Tribute to Jimmy Wang Yu podcast page on Kung Fu Movie Guide: https://bit.ly/TributeToJimmyWangYu
'One-Armed Swordsman' (1967) review on Kung Fu Movie Guide: http://bit.ly/OneArmedSwordsman
'The Chinese Boxer' (1970) review on Kung Fu Movie Guide: https://bit.ly/TheChineseBoxer1970
'One-Armed Boxer' (1971) review on Kung Fu Movie Guide: https://bit.ly/OneArmedBoxer1971
'Master of the Flying Guillotine' (1975) review on Kung Fu Movie Guide: http://bit.ly/MasterOfFlyingGuillotine
Follow Samm Deighan on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sammdeighan/
Follow Samm Deighan on Twitter: https://twitter.com/sammdeighan
Become a Samm Deighan patron at https://www.patreon.com/sammdeighan
Buy Samm Deighan's book, 'The Legacy of World War II in European Arthouse Cinema', on Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Legacy-World-European-Arthouse-Cinema/dp/1476683522
'Twitch of the Death Nerve' podcast: https://cinepunx.com/podcast-episodes/twitch-of-the-death-nerve/
Follow Frank Djeng on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/frankdjeng/
Cool Ass Cinema - 'The Flying Guillotines: History of the Shaw Brothers Trendsetter, its sequel and Imitators Part 1': http://www.coolasscinema.com/2020/06/the-flying-guillotines-history-of-shaw_8.html
‘Big Boss Theme’ by Peter Thomas Sound Orchestra: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pyZn_3jnrVA
'Sky High' by Jigsaw: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QjtD8A-MWBc
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As a powerlifting champion, three-time ‘Miss Fitness’ winner in Japan and an action film star, Michiko Nishiwaki has been on quite a journey. When she left school to start working in human resources for the Mitsubishi bank in the 1970s, her life goals were similar to many other Japanese women in her position; to find a husband and have children. But for Michiko - obsessed with gymnastics, karate, fitness, singing and the arts from an early age - she decided to take a different path. Following her brother into the fitness industry, she became a gym owner in Japan and a pioneer in women’s bodybuilding. At the height of her fame in the 1980s, she used her celebrity to break taboos, confronting the traditional image of women as the ‘weaker’ sex in Japanese society, and using film and television to promote the health benefits of weight-training. Her fame caught the attention of Golden Harvest in Hong Kong, who invited her to make her big-screen debut in the 1985 action comedy, My Lucky Stars, alongside Jackie Chan, Sammo Hung and Yuen Biao. A career as a Hong Kong martial arts star beckoned, mostly portraying evil Japanese gangsters in an array of wild, ‘girls with guns’ action movies. In the late 1990s, she relocated to Hollywood, becoming a stunt performer in films like Charlie's Angels, Rush Hour 2 and Kill Bill, and doubling for the likes of Lucy Liu, Kelly Hu and Zhang Ziyi. Now, aged 64, she is making a comeback after over a decade away from the industry, working as Michelle Yeoh’s stand-in for the bonkers 2021 smash hit, Everything Everywhere All at Once. As she approaches her film career with a renewed focus, what does the next chapter in Michiko's already incredible and multifaceted career look like? A huge thank you to Sally Hinata for arranging this conversation.
LINKS
Michiko Nishiwaki on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michikodb/
Michiko Nishiwaki podcast page: https://bit.ly/KFMGPodMichikoNishiwaki
Michiko Nishiwaki profile on Kung Fu Movie Guide: https://bit.ly/ProfileMichikoNishiwaki
Michiko Nishiwaki on IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0632811/
'Everything Everywhere All at Once' - Kung Fu Movie Guide review: https://bit.ly/EEAAO2022
'Everything Everywhere All at Once' trailer: https://youtu.be/wxN1T1uxQ2g
'My Lucky Stars' fight scene: https://youtu.be/IVJY2L4M54c
'God of Gamblers' dice scene: https://youtu.be/o2Y1Q8Go7Hs
Momoe Yamaguchi sings 'Cosmos' on Japanese television in 1977: https://youtu.be/9P-ePLE4t3Y
'Devil Hunters' stunt goes wrong, featuring Moon Lee and Sibelle Hu: https://youtu.be/7m90uRyGDi4
Michiko interview on Japanese television in 1983: https://youtu.be/TxqmpkWvUuU
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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