Kung Fu Movie Guide Podcast

Episode 108 - Tribute to King Hu

Mon, 26 May 2025 08:19:35 GMT

King Hu is one of China’s most influential filmmakers, famous for his historical martial arts films which helped to popularise the wuxia (‘martial chivalry’) genre in the 1960s and 70s with classic films like 'Come Drink with Me' (1966), 'Dragon Inn' (1967), and 'A Touch of Zen' (1971) - the latter of which he received the Technical Grand Prize at the 1975 Cannes Film Festival. His work has inspired directors ranging from Tsui Hark to Ang Lee, Zhang Yimou to Quentin Tarantino, and since his death in 1997 at the age of 64, organisations like the King Hu Foundation have continued to promote and champion his work. As a result, much of his exquisite output is now readily available around the world in lovingly restored digital formats. To discuss the life and work of this extraordinary filmmaker, we welcome two King Hu Foundation board members: Michael Berry, Director of the Center for Chinese Studies at UCLA, who is also a Professor of Contemporary Chinese Cultural Studies; and the filmmaker, Céline Zen, a Chinese-born, France-based producer and director. We discuss the early life of the Beijing-born auteur who was forced into exile in Hong Kong after the Chinese Communist Revolution, and his journey from artist to actor, writer, and director, becoming one of the biggest talents at new Shaw Brothers production company before his relocation to Taiwan. We discuss the meaning of 'wuxia'; his influences - from his love of calligraphy to Ming dynasty history and the Chinese Opera - and how, despite his critical praise, his films were not always successful in their day, and the toll this took on his work in later life. A huge thank you to Audrey Edwards at the King Hu Foundation for her help in organising this episode.

LINKS

King Hu Foundation website: https://kinghufoundationusa.org/

King Hu Foundation on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kinghufoundation/

Michael Berry's website: https://michael-berry.com/

Michael Berry on the UCLA website: https://www.alc.ucla.edu/person/michael-berry/

Michael Berry on Douban: http://site.douban.com/108600/

Michael Berry on Weibo: https://weibo.com/bairuiwen

Michael Berry on X: https://x.com/Bairuiwen

Michael Berry on ClubHouse: http://clubhousedb.com/user/bairuiwen

Buy Michael Berry's books on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Michael-Berry/author/B001HCVQQW

Céline Zen on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/celine-zen-7a6570195/

Céline Zen on IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm4508435/

Trailer for Céline Zen's 'Vous êtes jeunes, vous êtes beaux' (2018): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8vIOOeqph08

A tribute to King Hu: https://youtu.be/rGueQmyN_kM

Kung Fu Movie Guide Podcast - 'Dragon Inn' special - Live in Lewes with Katrina Durden: https://bit.ly/KFMGPodKatrinaDurdenLive

Buy King Hu films on Blu-ray in the UK from 88 Films and Eureka Entertainment: 'Come Drink with Me' (https://88-films.myshopify.com/products/come-drink-with-me-88-asia-24), 'Dragon Inn' (https://eurekavideo.co.uk/movie/dragon-inn/), 'A Touch of Zen' (https://eurekavideo.co.uk/movie/a-touch-of-zen/), 'The Fate of Lee Khan' (https://eurekavideo.co.uk/movie/the-fate-of-lee-khan/), 'The Valiant Ones' (https://eurekavideo.co.uk/movie/the-valiant-ones/), 'Raining in the Mountain' (https://eurekavideo.co.uk/movie/raining-in-the-mountain-kong-shan-ling-yu/), 'Legend of the Mountain' (https://eurekavideo.co.uk/movie/legend-of-the-mountain/).

King Hu profile on Kung Fu Movie Guide: https://bit.ly/KingHuProfile

'Dragon Inn' review on Kung Fu Movie Guide: https://bit.ly/DragonGateInn

'A Touch of Zen' review on Kung Fu Movie Guide: https://bit.ly/ATouchOfZen

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 107 - Christina Newland | Live in Woking, 'Hard Target' special

Mon, 05 May 2025 12:48:41 GMT

In the pantheon of great Van Damme action flicks from the 1980s and 90s, 'Hard Target' (1993) undoubtedly stands out as one of his best. As hunky Cajun ex-Marine, Chance Boudreaux, the mullet-wearing 'Muscles from Brussels' struts his more sensitive side while also exhibiting the sort of superhero antics that would put Schwarzenegger to shame, like firing a pistol while standing on a moving motorbike and - famously - punching a snake. He has his director to thank for one of his most iconic roles: John Woo, the 'heroic bloodshed' maestro fresh from his ballistic Hong Kong masterpiece, 'Hard Boiled' (1992), and determined to make an impact in his American directorial debut. The resulting concoction is pure Woo - a slow-motion bullet ballet of epic proportions which cemented his position as one of cinema's greatest directors of action. Joining me and 'Life of Action' author Mike Fury to discuss this milestone in movie mayhem is Christina Newland, lead film critic at the i Paper and a contributing editor to Empire Magazine. As three dedicated Jean-Claude Van Damme fans, we unpick the reasons why we think his appeal is more inclusive than that of his action contemporaries - people like Sylvester Stallone, Steven Seagal, and Chuck Norris - and the lasting legacy that John Woo has had on action cinema. This episode was recorded live at the Nova Cinema in Woking, UK, in November 2024 as part of the British Film Institute's Art of Action season. A huge thank you to the crew at the Nova Cinema and the people of Woking who attended the show, and the Independent Cinema Office and Film Hub South East for helping to organise the event.

LINKS

Christina Newland on Blue Sky: https://bsky.app/profile/christinalefou.bsky.social

Christina Newland's website: https://www.christinanewland.co.uk/

Christina Newland on Substack: https://substack.com/@christinanewland

Subscribe to 'Sisters Under the Mink' on Substack: https://christinanewland.substack.com/

Buy 'She Found It at the Movies: Women writers on sex, desire and cinema': https://www.waterstones.com/book/she-found-it-at-the-movies/christina-newland/9781912157181

'Act Like a Man: Jean-Claude Van Damme' by Christina Newland: https://mubi.com/en/notebook/posts/act-like-a-man-jean-claude-van-damme

Buy 'Hard Target' on 4K UHD from Kino Lorber: https://kinolorber.com/product/hard-target-4k-uhd

'Hard Target' review on Kung Fu Movie Guide: https://bit.ly/HardTarget1993

Jean-Claude Van Damme profile on Kung Fu Movie Guide: https://bit.ly/VanDammeKFMG

Jean-Claude Van Damme on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jcvd/

John Woo on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/john_woo_filmmaker/

'John Woo’s Next Film Is ‘A Half-Musical’ With Sparks', Empire Magazine: https://www.empireonline.com/movies/news/john-woo-half-musical-sparks-exclusive/

'Celebrate Renowned Hong Kong Action Classics, Storytellers, And Film Icons With Shout! Studios’ New Home Entertainment Series Hong Kong CInema Classics': https://www.shoutstudios.com/press/celebrate-renowned-hong-kong-action-classics-storytellers-and-film-icons-with-shout-studios-new-hom

Mike Fury on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themikefury/

Mike Fury's website: https://www.mikefury.net/

Visit the Nova Cinema in Woking: https://www.novacinema.com/

Learn more about the BFI's Art of Action season: https://www.bfi.org.uk/art-action

A huge thank you to Independent Cinema Office (https://www.independentcinemaoffice.org.uk/) and Film Hub South East (https://www.independentcinemaoffice.org.uk/film-hub-south-east/)

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 106 - Sébastien Foucan | Live in Canterbury, 'Drunken Master' special

Mon, 21 Apr 2025 11:55:15 GMT

Parkour pioneer Sébastien Foucan can be credited for bringing Parkour to the masses. His seminal UK documentary, 'Jump London' (2003) - and its follow up, 'Jump Britain' (2005) - sparked a cultural phenomenon which would see youngsters take to the streets in wild, acrobatic, hair-raising abandon; running, climbing and leaping across their urban environment in scenes we still see on our streets today. For Sébastien, a movie career followed, with stand-out roles in action films including 'Casino Royale' (2006) and 'The Tournament' (2009). Those perceptive enough to see the inspiration behind his incredible physical abilities and derring-do would be quick to reference the work of Jackie Chan, whose stunt-filled films would prove to be one of the early catalysts for Sébastien and his friends to take to the streets of Paris, recreating what they saw in his movies. Today, Sébastien is an inspirational speaker and CEO of the Foucan Academy, teaching kids the art of movement and self-expression. His motto: "we play".

On this episode - recorded live at the Gulbenkian Arts Centre in Canterbury as part of the British Film Institute’s Art of Action season - Sébastien explores his love of Hong Kong action cinema (especially the films of Jackie Chan and Bruce Lee), his experiences working in Hollywood, current attitudes towards Parkour, and much more. This conversation was recorded after a screening of the 1978 Jackie Chan classic, 'Drunken Master', and is co-hosted by the 'Life of Action' author - and friend of the show - Mike Fury. A huge thank you to the crew at the Gulbenkian and the people of Canterbury who attended the show, and the Independent Cinema Office and Film Hub South East for helping to organise the event.

LINKS

Sébastien Foucan on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sebastienfoucan/

Sébastien Foucan on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Seb-Foucan/100010605671158/

Sébastien Foucan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sebastien-foucan/

Sébastien Foucan website: https://www.sebastienfoucan.com/

Foucan Academy: https://foucanacademy.com/

'Jump Britain' on YouTube: https://youtu.be/2TJurAP9l-Q?si=Abborgj9sRKdOKMN

Chase scene from 'Casino Royale': https://youtu.be/iZxNbAwY_rk?si=9RvrgPTeoUWGT0GZ

Sébastien Foucan on 'Ninja Warrior UK': https://youtu.be/o7YFOF1oeag?si=hjKZ23vx9DT-6S-k

Mike Fury on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themikefury/

Mike Fury's website: https://www.mikefury.net/

'Drunken Master' review on Kung Fu Movie Guide: https://bit.ly/DrunkenMasterKFMG

'Drunken Master' trailer: https://youtu.be/WSu-9X8NF9k?si=BNVVYygZ7Ke_VdYp

Buy 'Drunken Master' on Blu-ray: https://eurekavideo.co.uk/movie/drunken-master/

Visit the Gulbenkian Arts Centre in Canterbury: https://thegulbenkian.co.uk/

Learn more about the BFI's Art of Action season: https://www.bfi.org.uk/art-action

A huge thank you to Independent Cinema Office (https://www.independentcinemaoffice.org.uk/) and Film Hub South East (https://www.independentcinemaoffice.org.uk/film-hub-south-east/)

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 105 - Bren Foster

Mon, 07 Apr 2025 19:01:02 GMT

Bren Foster is a man on a mission. Fresh from the positive reactions to his blistering 2024 martial arts revenge drama, 'Life After Fighting' - which also marked his directorial debut - Bren is now keen to show the world a new kind of action hero. The former soap star, who made his name on shows like 'Days of Our Lives' and 'Home and Away', is now capitalising on his incredible martial arts abilities to star in more fight films. His next will be an MMA actioner with Russell Crowe and Luke Hemsworth, called 'Beast in Me', in which he also provides fight choreography. This will be music to the ears of many martial arts movie fans who, before 'Life After Fighting', could only glimpse at Foster's extraordinary physical abilities in small bursts - like on the documentary series, 'Fight Science', or his roles in two Steven Seagal films, 'Maximum Conviction' and 'Force of Execution', or on the small screen in the series, 'The Last Ship'. If anything, 'Life After Fighting' saw Bren making up for lost time, throwing himself into every aspect of the film - providing roles for his own family and casting many of his students, and even filming at his own martial arts school. As well directing, he writes, stars, produces, and provides fight choreography. Despite its low budget, the film still packs a major punch, and was one of my favourite fight films of 2024. We discuss a life dedicated to the martial arts and competition, the toils of low-budget filmmaking, working with Steven Seagal, and his next steps in an already fascinating career.

LINKS

Bren Foster on IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1248409/

Bren Foster on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brenfosterreal/

Bren Foster on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brenfosterofficial

Bren Foster profile on Kung Fu Movie Guide: http://kungfumovieguide.com/profile-bren-foster/

Bren Foster on 'Fight Science': https://youtu.be/cU4j-t2oYA0

'Life After Fighting' trailer: https://youtu.be/KMdiYlC_cA8

'Life After Fighting' review on Kung Fu Movie Guide: http://kungfumovieguide.com/life-after-fighting-2024/

Watch 'Life After Fighting' on Paramount Plus UK: https://www.paramountplus.com/gb/movies/video/JPOVHXAdlJw50eEVsCzk8tXMySV_yp9P/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 104 - Andy Le / Brian Le

Mon, 10 Mar 2025 13:36:50 GMT

Self-made and self-taught, the story of Martial Club - a YouTube channel created in 2012 by Daniel Mah and the brothers Andy Le and Brian Le - is truly inspiring. As kids obsessed with kung fu movies, they would copy the moves, create their own short films and upload them to the internet, purely as a way of expressing their passion for the martial arts. As their filmmaking and on-screen talent progressed - Brian, Andy and Daniel are all incredible performers, combining their martial arts skills with tricking, breakdancing, gymnastics and more - as did their following, and pretty soon, Hollywood came calling. The last few years have been a whirlwind for the Le brothers, including work as fight choreographers on the multi award-winning 'Everything Everywhere All at Once', which involved going toe-to-toe on-screen with the queen of kung fu cinema, Michelle Yeoh; then there was a TV commercial with Jackie Chan, work on the Marvel blockbuster, 'Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings', plus TV work in 'Into the Badlands' (Brian doubled the actor Nick Frost) and 'The Brothers Sun' (again with Michelle Yeoh). Their success is built on over a decades' worth of hard work and dedication to the craft of martial arts filmmaking; they have quite literally put their blood, sweat, and tears into producing some of the most exciting kung fu action you will find on the internet. Their latest short film, 'Shaolin Avengers', is a love-letter to the genre they cherish and its their most ambitious project yet. It shows them at the top of their game - creative, comedic, and highly charged. With plans to turn it into a feature film, it seems the inspirational story of Martial Club is far from over.

LINKS

Martial Club on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/martialclub

Martial Club on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/martialclubofficial/

Andy Le on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/andyle_official/

Brian Le on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brianle_official/

'Shaolin Avengers' by Martial Club: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l1K8OtHQuas

'Ip Man - The Intercepting Fist' by Martial Club: https://youtu.be/08akhqwjBwc?si=8KcRpZheGa-JWcfr

'Supreme Art of War' by Martial Club: https://youtu.be/-dzt7vski64?si=YKPt2dINl76qUhjO

'A Kung Fu Vampire Story' by Martial Club: https://youtu.be/y3PVTrVQvH0?si=mDFXfG8HDdfAgdUl

'Working with Jackie Chan' by Martial Club: https://youtu.be/JvV_Sa4Tnso?si=owF4jXmmfPsudzRf

'Luc Van Tien: Kung Fu Warrior' (2017) review on Kung Fu Movie Guide: https://bit.ly/LucVanTien2017

'The Paper Tigers' (2020) review on Kung Fu Movie Guide: https://bit.ly/ThePaperTigersKFMG

'Shang-Chi and the Legend of the 10 Rings' (2021) review on Kung Fu Movie Guide: https://bit.ly/ShangChiKFMG

'Everything Everywhere All at Once' (2022) review on Kung Fu Movie Guide: https://bit.ly/EEAAO2022

'Everything Everywhere All at Once' fanny pack fight scene: https://youtu.be/1UQ7yvfctOU?si=ijp8o4U7gmnzvfwr

'Everything Everywhere All at Once' trophy fight scene: https://youtu.be/O-gplbWy__Q?si=QFjLeMmIcBN7kPup

'Urban Ninja' clip on YouTube: https://youtu.be/D2kJZOfq7zk?si=kbebwtc4mkIUJ63G

'Turn Down for What' by DJ Snake and Lil Jon, directed by Daniels: https://youtu.be/HMUDVMiITOU?si=7Q5vJDld7k-3GF0d

Donate to the Kung Fu Movie Guide Podcast on PayPal: https://paypal.me/kungfumovieguide

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 103 - Jude Poyer | Live in Oxford, 'The Heroic Trio' special

Mon, 10 Feb 2025 20:45:39 GMT

For the second of our four live podcasts - co-hosted by the 'Life of Action' author, Mike Fury - we welcome back the British stunt coordinator and former Hong Kong stuntman, Jude Poyer. Jude's first appearance was on Episode 48 back in 2019. Now, in 2025, he is the action director behind Xavier Gens' violent French brawler, 'Farang' (aka 'Mayhem!'), and Gareth Evans' lauded co-collaborator, having worked with 'The Raid' director on his landmark UK crime series, 'Gangs of London', and the eagerly-awaited Netflix production, 'Havoc', starring Tom Hardy. In this wide-ranging conversation, Jude unveils his secret to coordinating a great action sequence, what it feels like to be kicked in the face by Yuen Biao, the difference between working in Hong Kong and the UK, and why he thinks Gareth Evans might be one of the best action filmmakers working in the industry today.

This episode was recorded live at the Ultimate Picture Palace in Oxford, UK, on 12 November 2024, following a screening of the crazy Hong Kong superhero film, 'The Heroic Trio' (1993), directed by Johnnie To, produced by Tony Ching Siu-tung, and starring Michelle Yeoh, Anita Mui and Maggie Cheung. Screening as part of the British Film Institute's Art of Action season - in association with the Independent Cinema Office and Film Hub South East - we also discuss the film and its impact, as well as sharing our thoughts on the lasting legacy of the 'golden age' of Hong Kong action cinema.

LINKS

Jude Poyer on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reelpowerstunts/

Jude Poyer on X: https://twitter.com/ReelPowerStunts

Jude Poyer on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ReelPowerStunts

Jude Poyer's website: http://www.reelpowerstunts.com/

Jude Poyer on IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0694706/

Jude Poyer on Kung Fu Movie Guide Podcast, Episode 48: http://kungfumovieguide.com/kfmg-podcast-s04-episode-48-jude-poyer/

Mike Fury on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themikefury/

Mike Fury's website: https://www.mikefury.net/

'The Heroic Trio' review on Kung Fu Movie Guide: http://kungfumovieguide.com/the-heroic-trio/

'The Heroic Trio' trailer: https://youtu.be/zhrYrExHi2s

Buy 'The Heroic Trio' on Blu-ray: https://www.criterion.com/boxsets/7155-the-heroic-trio-executioners

Visit the Ultimate Picture Palace in Oxford: https://uppcinema.com/

Learn more about the BFI's Art of Action season: https://www.bfi.org.uk/art-action

A huge thank you to Independent Cinema Office (https://www.independentcinemaoffice.org.uk/) and Film Hub South East (https://www.independentcinemaoffice.org.uk/film-hub-south-east/)

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 102 - Katrina Durden | Live in Lewes, 'Dragon Inn' special

Mon, 27 Jan 2025 20:37:07 GMT

For our first live episode - recorded at the wonderful Depot Cinema in Lewes, UK - we welcome back the actor and martial artist Katrina Durden, who first appeared on Episode 12 of the podcast back in 2017. From her work in the Marvel Cinematic Universe in 'Doctor Strange' (2016) and Joey Ansah's fantastic 'Street Fighter' web series, to roles in TV's 'Strike Back', 'Heads of State' starring Idris Elba and John Cena, and the upcoming 'Red Sonja' reboot, Katrina has been kicking-ass in action movies for over a decade. In this special live episode, podcast host Ben Johnson is joined by friend of the show and author of 'Life of Action', Mike Fury, to discuss Katrina's journey from London to Hollywood, her inspirations both on-screen and off, and her experiences working in action movies.

This conversation took place after a rare screening of the 1967 Taiwanese wuxia classic, 'Dragon Inn', directed by Chinese auteur King Hu, showing as part of the BFI's Art of Action season. Ben, Katrina and Mike discuss why the film is so important in the history of martial arts and 'wuxia' cinema, and how it continues to inspire generations of filmmakers. This conversation took place on 7 November 2024 and is the first of four live shows recorded as part of the BFI's Art of Action season, organised in association with the Independent Cinema Office and Film Hub South East. A huge thank you to everyone who came along to the show and the wonderful staff at the Depot Cinema in Lewes.

LINKS

Katrina Durden on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/katrinadurden/

Katrina Durden on Kung Fu Movie Guide Podcast, Episode 12: http://kungfumovieguide.com/kfmg-podcast-s02-episode-12-yolanda-lynes-david-cheung-katrina-durden/

Katrina Durden profile on Kung Fu Movie Guide: http://kungfumovieguide.com/profile-katrina-durden/

Mike Fury on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themikefury/

Mike Fury's website: https://www.mikefury.net/

'Dragon Inn' review on Kung Fu Movie Guide: http://kungfumovieguide.com/dragon-gate-inn/

King Hu profile on Kung Fu Movie Guide: http://kungfumovieguide.com/profile-king-hu/

'Dragon Inn' trailer, courtesy of Eureka Entertainment: https://youtu.be/ySSUsV_qGS8

Buy 'Dragon Inn' on Blu-ray: https://eurekavideo.co.uk/movie/dragon-inn/

Visit the Depot Cinema in Lewes: https://lewesdepot.org/

Learn more about the BFI's Art of Action season: https://www.bfi.org.uk/art-action

A huge thank you to Independent Cinema Office (https://www.independentcinemaoffice.org.uk/) and Film Hub South East (https://www.independentcinemaoffice.org.uk/film-hub-south-east/)

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 101 - End of Year Show 2024 with Mike Fury

Tue, 24 Dec 2024 09:47:43 GMT

It's that time of year again - the annual Kung Fu Movie Guide Podcast End of Year Show returns for its eighth year!

Featuring the author of Life of Action Vol. 1 and 2, Mike Fury, we unpack our martial arts movie highlights of the year, discuss the news that has been hitting the headlines, and - because it's the festive season - we also unwrap some martial arts-themed Christmas presents.

2024 has been a particularly strong year for fight-centric action films. We saw the return of many fan favourites - Po the panda returned in Kung Fu Panda 4, Hugh Jackman's Wolverine returned for Deadpool & Wolverine - and many of the legends of martial arts cinema released multiple films this year, from Jean-Claude Van Damme to Cynthia Rothrock, Jackie Chan to Scott Adkins. But which movies will make the cut in our personal top five of the year - and which film will be crowned the best of 2024?

We also read out messages from you - the loyal Fu followers - who have been submitting your opinions on your favourite fight films from the year. And if you want to play along at home, we've put together a list of martial arts movies released in the UK this year (according to IMDb), available on our website. A huge thank you for your ongoing support in 2024, and wherever you are in the world, have a very happy new year!

Read our not-very-comprehensive list of martial arts movies released in 2024: https://bit.ly/EOYShow2024

DONATE TO THE SHOW ON PAYPAL

Your donation will go towards our continued efforts to share the latest martial arts movie news, reviews and podcasts. https://paypal.me/KungFuMovieGuide

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 100 - Best of Actors

Mon, 20 May 2024 19:43:52 GMT

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.

Episode 99 - Best of Stunts

Mon, 20 May 2024 19:43:22 GMT

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.

Episode 98 - Best of Directors

Mon, 20 May 2024 19:43:05 GMT

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.

Episode 97 - End of Year Show 2023 with Mike Fury: Part Two

Sun, 24 Dec 2023 14:09:15 GMT

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.

Episode 96 - End of Year Show 2023 with Mike Fury: Part One

Mon, 18 Dec 2023 20:26:03 GMT

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.

Episode 95 - Marko Zaror

Mon, 11 Dec 2023 21:11:36 GMT

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

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 94 - Ric Meyers

Mon, 27 Nov 2023 21:03:34 GMT

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 hello@kungfumovieguide.com, or message us on social media.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 93 - Vincent Lyn

Mon, 13 Nov 2023 20:28:10 GMT

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

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 92 - Vi-Dan Tran / Lorenz Hideyoshi

Mon, 30 Oct 2023 21:34:42 GMT

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/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 91 - Froukje Tan / Areel Abu Bakar

Mon, 16 Oct 2023 19:40:40 GMT

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/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 90 - Eric Lee

Mon, 24 Apr 2023 20:01:02 GMT

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

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 89 - Stuntwomen special: Alyma Dorsey / April Wright

Mon, 10 Apr 2023 13:40:04 GMT

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

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 88 - Keith Cooke

Mon, 27 Mar 2023 19:10:12 GMT

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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Episode 87 - Mike Leeder

Mon, 13 Mar 2023 20:34:55 GMT

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/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 86 - End of Year Show 2022 with Mike Fury: Part Two

Sat, 24 Dec 2022 10:54:12 GMT

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/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 85 - End of Year Show 2022 with Mike Fury: Part One

Mon, 19 Dec 2022 20:45:00 GMT

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