WORLD CLASS: A Word With THE CURSE Filmmaker Kenichi Ugana
Ugana’s directing credits partly include VISITORS: THE COMPLETE EDITION, and THE CURSE which just screened at Fantastic Fest.
Interviews
THINKING WIDER: A Word With Actor And Producer Nick Baillie
Nick Baillie stars in “The Wide West” which is now available on Digital for rental or purchase.
DIABLO Director Talks Cinematic Inspirations and Working With Scott Adkins & Marko Zaror
FCS interviews filmmaker Ernesto Díaz Espinoza!
SHEPHERD: A Reverent Tale Of Survival And Faith In Bryan Sloyer’s New Indie Action Short
Another one-off from FCS fave Bryan Sloyer!
Planning The Havoc: A Conversation With HOUNDS OF WAR Director Isaac Florentine
Isaac Florentine has firmly established himself as a director on whom diehard action fans can rely. Since the early 90s, he has consistently delivered films with breath-taking action sequences that rival, and in many cases, far surpass those in larger-scale productions. Beginning his career in the trenches of very low-budget martial arts film production, while also directing the English language inserts for various iterations of the long-running Japanese-import children’s television franchise POWER RANGERS; Florentine developed a style of filmmaking based strongly on clearly framed and edited, highly kinetic action set pieces. His quality of work in these areas, in less than optimal conditions, caused him to rapidly become an in-demand talent during the, then still thriving, world of “Direct to Video Store” film releases. He would not only collaborate with action cinema stalwarts Gary Daniels, Dolph Lundgren, and Jean-Claude Van Damme— he gave each one rock-solid, highly entertaining, entries into […]
Interview: Director William Eubank on his new military thriller LAND OF BAD starring Russell Crowe
William Eubank is a director many film fans first took notice of with the release of the claustrophobic, aquatic horror thriller, UNDERWATER starring Kristen Stewart. Hitting theaters shortly before the isolation era of the global Covid pandemic, and despite a disappointing performance at the box office, the film became the decade’s first true contender for the label of a “cult classic” thanks to strong word of mouth from genre enthusiasts. What that dedicated audience responded to has been evident throughout Eubank’s filmography— whether it be in smaller passion projects, like the mind-bending micro-budgeted sci-fi film THE SIGNAL (2014), or in studio “for hire” fare, like PARANORMAL ACTIVITY: NEXT OF KIN. His work displays a dedication to well-crafted set pieces, striking visuals, and allowing space within the action for thoughtful character work. This trend continues with his latest effort, the military thriller LAND OF BAD. The film tells the story […]
WEATHERING THE STORM: A Word With SOLD Star And Director Jennifer Li
Actress and stunt performer Jennifer Li talks making her graduation shortfilm, SOLD, her career goals and ambitions in our first interview.
ARTISTRY IN VIOLENCE: A Word With TRIGGERED (TOPAKK) Director Richard Somes
We Will Not Die Tonight helmer Richard Somes has directed dozens of projects for film and TV in the Philippines. He comes anchored with a resumè that further extends his credentials as far back as the late 1990s in art and production design, and with a versatile career that’s seen him accredited on numerous projects. His latest, Triggered (Topakk) is no exception, hailed as a return to nostalgic action cinema with a vision that pits him right beside some of today’s Pinoy action cinema hopefuls out of the region like Erik Matti, Vincent Soberano, Pedring Lopez and others. Triggered marks another ambitious outing for Somes, who is joined by screenwriters Jim Flores and Will Fredo in crafting a story intended on accomplishing a few things on its path. Hailed as both an nostalgic return to action cinema delights, as well as a salute to former soldiers coping with post-war trauma, […]
MOVIES AND THE WORLD: A Word With ARTIST UNKNOWN Writer/Director Cinder Chou
Seldom do I get the opportunity to help spotlight a local project that appeals to me. I found that opportunity several years ago as Cinder Chou, a long time production coordinator and assisstant on a number of projects before segueing to directing short films, began envisioning her feature directorial debut. That outlook was eventually realized with the completion of her independently-produced romantic action comedy, Artist Unknown. The film, in part, is also the result of cautious planning and execution for a small-scale production long since the Covid-19 pandemic set in. Alas, having survived the pandemic, Chou’s work is gradually paying off as she now looks toward more festival screenings in the year to come. Artist Unknown also marks the latest foray for actress Kerry Lacy, whose background in martial arts has aptly allowed her to showcase her skills in Stacey Maltin’s prospective 2017 shortfilm thriller, Viola, as well as Don […]
KTV: KILLING TIME VIOLENTLY Director Jimmy Henderson On Making His ‘Unapologetic, Trashy and Charming’ Action Comedy
Cambodian cinemas are only a few days away from the release of Jimmy Henderson’s newest effort, KTV: Killing Time Violently. The film marks another successive entry in the action arena for director Jimmy Henderson, who has become more prominently known in the last several years for placing Cambodia squarely on the radar for a string of stylish beat ’em up thrillers. This includes especially 2017’s Fantasia Festival crowdpleaser, Jailbreak, which became a banner success on Netflix before the streamer’s removal of the film from its catalogue back in May. The film, which featured actor and martial arts duo Jean-Paul Ly and Dara Our as members of tactical unit trapped in a prison and forced to fight for their lives when a prisoner transfer goes awry. “Jailbreak definitely helped me to get my name out there and I am grateful for what it has done for the industry in Cambodia,” says […]
Interview: Sheldon Lettich Talks FIREFIGHT
If you’ve been keeping up the last several months with all things Sheldon Lettich, chances are that at least one update you’ve caught onto was the premiere of Firefight, the 1986 war film directed by Lettich and released nearly 40 years since its production. Lettich is a celebrated mainstay in 90s action cinema with writing and directing credits responsible for bolstering stars like Jean-Claude Van Damme, Mark Dacascos and Daniel Bernhardt, and it’s on that note that our own Vance Ang gets to relieve his enthusiasm and energy in a recent one-on-one with Lettich about the short, its production, and its history leading up to its release. Enjoy the interview and tap here to read Ang’s review!
THE EAGLE LANDS: A Word With KNIGHTS OF THE ZODIAC Co-Star, Stunt Performer And Actress Caitlin Hutson
Director Tomek Baginski’s new live action manga/anime adaptation, Knights Of The Zodiac, is currently enjoying a progressive global theatrical rollout that’s already earned the film a total of US $2.4 million following its releases in Japan, Mexico, Brazil, Kenya, Romania and Latin America as of this post. The film officially opens in theaters in the U.S. this weekend when Sony Pictures and Stage6 Films can finally begin tallying up the film’s reception, marking perhaps the next biggest trial ever to be faced by Masami Kurumada’s fan favorite IP given its history. That history is given a detailed and apt exploration in an online documentary hosted and narrated by Ray Mona, who dives well into the franchise’s reception and overall studio treatment of the epic animated saga on television and home media. Going into Baginski’s new movie, Mona’s Tales Of The Lost docuseries gave me a certain appreciation for Baginski’s efforts, […]
Start Your Week Right With THE CLASSIC FIGHT SITUATION, And Drink Responsibly
It’s Monday morning as I write this, and I’m starting off with a gem by way of Maria Gnecchi with some respite action and comedy courtesy of stunt performers Luis Pan Venezia and Alessandro Xavier De Silva – just a couple of bros in Rome getting caught up in the kind of situation that usually ends up on camera and in front of eyes of action fans. “Classic Fight Situation” it is, yes? Simple as that. Enjoy!
ECHOES AHEAD: A Word With ‘Echo 8’ Scribe Elizabeth H. Vu
Actress and filmmaker Maria Tran’s bolstering independent film career is making headway in the festival circuit with the new psychological action drama, Echo 8. Filming took a few years with the film ending up in post-production with trailer footage finally making its debut late last summer, followed by a series of screenings already underway since ramping up local screening efforts last Fall. (My review can be found here.) In the film, Tran plays the member of a clandestine organization of assassins, whose latest mission now finds her brought face to face with someone connected to her past. The film was written by Elizabeth H. Vu who is more well-learned in the horror arena, which makes Echo 8 her inaugural dip in the action arena, and with suspense now hanging in lieu of the film’s upcoming trilogy slate which now includes Echo 8: Beyond and Echo 8: Five By Five. Vu […]
FRONTIER REELS: Joe Cornet Talks ‘Gunfight At Rio Bravo’
It’s been a few weeks since the banner release of actor and director Joe Cornet’s new Western, Gunfight At Rio Bravo. A sequel is currently in toe and Cornet and lead star and producer Alexander Nevsky have been campaigning for both films, with the first having had its red carpet press premiere last month in Arizona. Of course, this includes interviews with multiple local news outlets including NBC and the like. The following is a read out of an interview Nevsky acquired the rights to in recent weeks for an exclusive presentation here at Film Combat Syndicate, thus signaling a debut interview here with Cornet in which the director discusses making the film, working with the cast, film influences, and more. To add, this comes following our review of the film, also signaling our first bit of coverage of Cornet’s work; In addition to directing, Cornet also joins Nevsky on […]
Make HASTE And Take Five Minutes Out Of Your Day For Aeddan Sussex’s New Action Short!
Two years after crowdfunding, shooting, and completing post-production on Haste, director Aeddan Sussex’s new action short is now online for the masses to take a gander at. That’s five minutes of snackable action and drama featuring UK stunt cats Jon Alagoa and Danny Darwin, with choreography by Alagoa, and a score by Justin Bell (The Matrix Resurrections, Cloud Atlas). Two rivals are brought together for a pre-arranged fight. While one man is reluctant, he becomes incensed once his foe reveals a secret, and will have to battle to discover the truth behind it. Festivals weren’t completely out of the question for this project with its entry last year at London’s Fighting Spirit Film Festival, winning the category of Best Short Film 10 Minutes And Under. That’s five award-winning minutes of lithe storytelling in a truncated period of time now at your disposal in the player below. Enjoy!
REIGN OF THE ASSASSIN: A Word With ‘Blade Of The 47 Ronin’ Actress Luna Fujimoto
Netflix and Universal 1440 have just released their latest offering this season, Blade Of The 47 Ronin from director Ron Yuan. My review is currently available here while as of last week, I was offered an opportunity to get a word in with one of its cast members, actress Luna Fujimoto, who stars in the film as a member the “Onna-bugeisha”, a clandestine unit of female warriors led by modern-day Samurai lord, Shinshiro, played by Mark Dacascos. In our interview, Luna discusses her upbringing in the arts and what it took to land the role, and ultimately working with the likes of Yuan and his team. She’s actually been making the interview rounds for a while now and I’m honored that Film Combat Syndicate just happened to be her latest stop along the way, and after seeing her on screen, I look forward to seeing even more of her on […]
Talking Murder, Mythology, & Clowns with TERRIFIER 2’s Damien Leone
What’s happening right now with “Terrifier 2” is something that basically never happens. A modestly-budgeted independent slasher movie gets a higher-budgeted (but still very modest) sequel? Sure, fine. That’s not unheard of. That sequel getting released on hundreds of screens across the U.S.? That’s a rarity. Even rarer still is that sequel continuing to gain momentum as the weeks go by. Yet, that is exactly what “Terrifier 2” is doing. Racking up a gross at the box office that is substantially higher than its aforementioned budget and getting steadily increasing mainstream attention. It’s baffling in the best possible way- not just because “Terrifier 2” is such an extreme horror film. It’s because you never see a movement like this in horror or even film, in general, these days. On top of that, the film is an incredibly fun slasher movie that manages to transcend its restrictions to end up as […]
The Kirby Brothers On Directing ACCIDENT MAN: HITMAN’S HOLIDAY
Brothers George and Harry Kirby just want to entertain fans of action on screen. The pair have done this by directing more than a dozen short films where the main focus is on action and, most importantly, fun. While they honed their craft with these films (and built a sizable online fanbase to boot), George Kirby steadily established a name for himself in the Hollywood stunt industry. His most high-profile work (so far) came as the fight coordinator on the 2021 blockbuster VENOM: LET THEIR BE CARNAGE but he has also been a stunt performer on such major films as ROUGE ONE: A STAR WARS STORY, JUSTICE LEAGUE, and DOCTOR STRANGE. It was during the filming of DOCTOR STRANGE that the Kirby brothers first came to the attention of acclaimed British martial artist Scott Adkins. In them, Adkins found filmmakers with not only a strong visual style but ones […]
Finding Empathy In Monsters: A Fan Conversation With Director Lucky McKee about OLD MAN
Lucky McKee has been one of the largely unsung heroes of horror cinema, for around 2 decades now. From his debut feature, “May” to his more recent work, “Old Man”, McKee has proven himself time and time again as one of the best filmmakers today at making truly interesting character pieces. With “Old Man”, McKee takes on a film that feels more akin to experimental theater than most films ever attempt. Taking place almost completely in a single location with only two major characters, “Old Man” seems like a film that would be extremely difficult to make work as a full-length feature. However, thanks to the efforts of McKee and his two leads, Marc Senter (who also co-produces) and Stephen Lang– not only does it work as a full-length feature, “Old Man” is an incredibly compelling piece of cinema. At times very funny, sometimes touching, but consistently it’s a tense […]
You must be logged in to post a comment.