Exclusives

BY A MAN’S FACE SHALL YOU KNOW HIM, And I, THE EXECUTIONER: Film Movement Classics Debuts Japan Crime Classics In High-Def In January [Exclusive]

We gave famed director Tai Kato a brief mention in last month’s coverage of the streaming releases for Film Movement Classics’s Red Peony Gambler Trilogy. This week, Kato is now the latest in-focus subject of the label’s latest announcements of Japan crime classics, By A Man’s Face Shall You Know Him (1966), and I, The Executioner (1968). Both films, much like their fellow Showa Era cohorts under the Film Movement Classics banner, are getting replenished releases for viewers, debuting for the first time in high definition on VOD and Digital, and on Film Movement Plus, the label’s in-house streaming platform, on January 31. Film Combat Syndicate is sharing an exclusive look at the trailers for both titles which you can view below within the text. Take a look, and then head over to Film Movement for more! PRESENTED IN HIGH DEFINITION FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER, BOTH FILMS PREMIERE ON […]

WOLVES, PIGS AND MEN And VIOLENT PANIC: THE BIG CRASH: Two Exclusive Clips From The Upcoming Film Movement Classics Titles Arriving Friday

Lee B. Golden III

Film Movement Classics is readying the VOD and Digital releases of two classic titles – restored in 2K – from one of the most lauded filmographies in world cinema history. Kinji Fukasaku’s Wolves, Pigs and Men (1964), and Violent Panic: The Big Crash (1976) are set to stream on the SVOD network this Friday, and we have a pair of clips from both films which we can share exclusively. Japanese director and genre master Kinji Fukasaku is often remembered amongst cineastes for his final film, BATTLE ROYALE (2000), but in his home country, the prolific auteur – across a 40-year career, he directed over sixty movies, received three Japanese Academy Film Prizes for best director, and helped redefine many genres, most notably the Yakuza genre – was respected for a broad range of films that often used violence to make statements about social control, authority, and individual freedom. Of the […]

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HEROES SHED NO TEARS: Eddy Ko Is Trapped Behind Enemy Lines In An Exclusive Clip

Lee B. Golden III

Making its streaming debut at Film Movement Plus on June 7 is John Woo’s 1986 war thriller, Heroes Shed No Tears. The film features Eddy Ko and Lam Ching-Ying in a film that once remained shelved until Woo’s subsequent A Better Tomorrow was released, making Woo a hit director and allowing the previous flick to get some screentime before audiences. In this explosive precursor to his breakout film A Better Tomorrow, director John Woo demonstrates the genesis of his trademark style of hyperkinetic action and violence in the thriller he identified as his “first real film”, breaking a string of low-budget slapstick farces, and building the foundation for his over-the-top genre films that would follow. Making its exclusive North American streaming premiere on Film Movement Plus, HEROES SHED NO TEARS sports a brilliant 2K digital restoration for an optimal viewing experience. Hong Kong action veteran Eddie Ko (The Mission, Lethal […]

THE PRINCESS WARRIOR Fends Off An Ambush With A Royal Beatdown In A New Clip [EXCLUSIVE]

Lee B. Golden III

Filmmaker S. Baasanjargal and co-helmer Shuudertsetseg Baatarsuren will be making landfall this Friday with the release of Mongolian action adventure, The Princess Warrior. To celebrate the occassion, we have an exclusive clip from the film which you can view below, teasing some of the action that awaits, and featuring actress Tsedoo Munkhbat who stars in the title role based on Baatarsuren’s own 2017 novel. The movie itself centers on legendary warrior princess, Khutulun, who despite being embattled with gender expectations and patriarchal hierarchy, rises to the occasion when an assassination attempt on her father compels her to jet across the land with her warrior bretheren, and retrieve a stolen family keepsake from the clutches of an evil would-be warlord. The clip is set midway into the film and is the third key action sequences in which our heroine and her band of warriors must fight for their lives, against a […]

EASTBOUND TRAFFIC Flows With Behind-The-Scenes Photos From Chuck Johnson’s Feature Directing Debut [EXCLUSIVE]

Lee B. Golden III

Film Combat Syndicate was allowed to present a raft of exclusive behind-the-scenes photos from the set of upcoming crime drama, Eastbound Traffic. The film is written and directed by Tokyo-based actor, stunt performer and filmmaker Chuck Johnson who just completed the first full rough edit of the film following pre-production a little over a year ago, and rolling cameras late last year. Ten years in the making, Eastbound Traffic marks the first of five films out of Johnson’s Quiet Flame production outfit, packaging social impact-driven narratives and messaging with compelling stories and stylish action. The movie also serves as the feature launchpad for Quiet Flame following its 2015 start-up as Japan’s first and only English-first stunt team before evolving into a training institution. To its credit, performers out of Quiet Flame have since appeared in numerous projects including – but not limited to – Jared Leto’s 2018 Netflix yakuza drama […]

578 MAGNUM: Alexandre Nguyen Is A One-Man Army In A New Clip [EXCLUSIVE]

Lee B. Golden III

An earlier version of this article was corrected and updated with release platform details. Director Luong Dinh Dung’s new action adventure, 578 Magnum is on the way to digital and VOD platforms this Friday from Film Movement. Several clips are making the rounds this week from a few news sites, and Film Combat Syndicate was granted the opportunity to share and exclusive clip of our own which you can view at the bottom of the page. The clip in question reveals a key moment in the film when Hung (Alexandre Nguyen) confronts a notorious gang while in search of his daughter, per the film’s synopsis. As the clip shows, the free-for-all explodes in a container yard with Hung standing against all odds until he’s cornered into fighting one of the film’s heaviest-hitting characters, played by martial artist Tuan Hac. 578 Magnum also stars Thanh Thao, Huoang Phuc and H’hen Hie, […]

XYZ Films Acquires Domestic Distribution Rights To Sci-fi Actioner ‘SKYLINE: WARPATH’ STARRING IKO UWAIS AND SCOTT ADKINS

Joe Hallett

In Los Angeles, California on 16th January 2024 XYZ Films has acquired all US rights to distribute the martial arts sci-fi action film SKYLINE: WARPATH, written and directed by action mastermind Liam O’Donnell (Beyond Skyline) and starring Iko Uwais (The Raid Franchise) and Scott Adkins (Undisputed), with Louis Mandylor, Randall J. Bacon and Yayan Ruhain rounding out the cast. The film is produced by Matthew Chausse and Evangelo Kioussis. XYZ Films will release the film domestically in early 2025. The rights deal was negotiated by Matthew Chausse on behalf of the filmmakers with Maxime Cottray from XYZ Films. Set within the “Skyline” universe and five years after the events of BEYOND SKYLINE, Sua (Iko Uwais) leads The Resistance against the aliens. When Sua discovers the powerful alien Radial Gauntlet, he must deal with both the corrupt Eric (Scott Adkins) and the army of alien invaders. In a partnership with XYZ Films, the original […]

CREED III – New BTS Images Released

Joe Hallett

The anticipated third instalment of the “Creed” franchise is nearly upon us with a set USA release of 27th February with the UK following shortly after on 3rd March. With Michael B. Jordan reprising his role as Adonis Creed son of the famous Apollo Creed, but also taken on the huge challenge of his directorial debut. In the previous two films we indulged in the relationship between his fathers former rival turned best friend Rocky Balboa (Sylvester Stallone) and his rise to glory inside the ring with Rocky’s help and guidance. This time round we won’t be treated to any Rocky nostalgia which has left some fans a little deflated. With recent comments from Sylvester explaining his frustration and anger over the handling of the rights of “Rocky” explaining it has been an “rough, emotional ride” which points to the fact he has most likely closed that chapter of his […]

SPEED DATING: Shoot Your Shot At The Official Poster For Jean-Paul Ly’s Rom-Com Assassin Short [EXCLUSIVE]

Lee B. Golden III

FCSyndicate can debut the first look at official poster for Jailbreak star, actor and filmmaker Jean-Paul Ly’s new romantic action comedy short, Speed Dating, the latest creation out of JPL Films and Bad Guys Films following Ly’s 2018 thriller, “The Division”. The poster features actress Eloise Lovell Anderson (Villain, FX’s “The Bastard Executioner”), who trained for one month with Ly’s team prior to four daily production schedules a little over a year ago. Anderson stars as a secret agent whose latest side quest to find romance finds her sorely reminded that in her line of work, there are no days off. For Ly, it’s more than a proof of concept as it was also a vehicle to help elevate himself behind the lens, and explore a different side to filmmaking than what fans have grown used to considering his usual output (i.e. Jailbreak, Nightshooters, “Acéré”). To say the least though, […]

KEEPING SECRETS: Marcus Shakesheff, ‘Kamikaze’ Team Going Bigger With Epic Spy Action Thriller [EXCLUSIVE]

Lee B. Golden III

Actor, martial artist and stunt-multihyphenate Marcus Shakesheff is in the works with Keeping Secrets, a new spy thriller he’s writing and developing out of his independent Beat ‘Em Up Films production banner. The film will be his second venture into feature film production after breaking ground in 2016 with Welsh action thriller, Kamikaze. Plot details are largely unknown but the film is being described as a modern day take on Tomas Alfredson’s 2011 adaptation of John la Carrè’s hit novel, “Tinker Tailor Solider Spy”, with an original story based on real people and events through a fictionalized lens. The production is also hinting at inspiration from other classic and contemporary hit thrillers such as the Police Story trilogy, The Raid 2, The Boune Identity, Todd Phillips’s Joker and Donnie Yen headliner, Flash Point. I am further told that the new film aims to be much, much larger than Shakesheff’s predecessor […]

REDEMPTION: New Malaysian Action Thriller From Michael Chuah, Filming Now Underway [EXCLUSIVE]

Lee B. Golden III

Actor and filmmaker Michael Chuah has been around since 2006. He firstly horror drama, Dark Seed, and has been following up with several actioners along the way debuting, initally appearing in Fist Of Dragon (2011), action comedies Firefly (2013) and Special Forces (2016) and Red Storm (2019). If you’re curious and live in the states at least, you can find most of Chuah’s films on Amazon Prime to rent or buy. In the meantime, I can report more on Chuah as he’s already shooting his newest film, Redemption. The film reunites Chuah with actor Henry Thia (Special Forces, Red Storm) and Monday Kang (Fist Of Dragon), with local actor/singer Tian Long also starring. As for the story, this is what Chuah has exclusively sent us along with the still just above: “Jie, one of the top bodyguards in Asia, has decided to retire, and to undergo a more peaceful life […]

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DEATH TOUCH: Troy Sandford To Make His Martial Arts Action Feature Directing Debut [EXCLUSIVE]

Lee B. Golden III

What you’re seeing below in this article and the thumbnail is the preliminary artwork actor, stunt multi-hyphenate and filmmaker Troy Sandford (Ip Man 4: The Finale) has allowed us to share, announcing his feature directing debut, Death Touch. Sanford, who is based in Beijing with his own self-titled stunt unit, Troy’s Team, is partnering with Australia’s Rhythmic Films. Here is what we can report on the story and plot: “Death Touch centers on a peaceful son who is forced to battle his father and siblings when his unborn child threatens to upend the family’s immortality.” FCSyndicate can reveal little else about the film and who is involved while pre-production continues, but I am told the film will look to roll cameras sometime this year. Also, I can share what Sanford has to say about the projects and his hopes going forward. “With the tone of Daredevil, the emotional element of […]

BERZERKER: ‘Paskal’ And ‘Wira’ Star Hairul Azreen To Headline Ranjeet S. Marwa’s New Thriller Shooting This Summer [EXCLUSIVE]

Lee B. Golden III

Three months since the announcement of pre-production for futuristic crime thriller, Berzerker, Film Combat Syndicate can confirm the casting of Malaysian actor and action star Hairul Azreen to lead Ranjeet S. Marwa’s new film. Azreen will play Noble, an ex-con who now walks as a free man, seeking revenge on those responsible for his incarceration. Marwa himself describes the overall tone and vision of the film as a unique blend of sci-fi classic, Blade Runner, and Prachya Pinkaew’s 2003 Thai barnburner martial arts flick, Ong-Bak. Berzerker has been in pre-production since March with Marwa set to direct from a script he wrote with co-scribe Daniel White. Principal photography will begin in Birmingham this July. Manchester-based stunt professional Kiran Pandé (Redcon-1) has been on board the project since late March and will now serve as the film’s fight choreographer. Azreen is considered an A-lister among the current crop of film talents […]

‘Exiled: The Chosen Ones’ Director Revamps Crime Thriller, BERZERKER, Filming In June [EXCLUSIVE]

Lee B. Golden III

The past fifteen months have seen misses rather than hits for director Ranjeet S. Marwa, who’s ambitious plans for crowdfunded action thriller, Blood Rush, came to a screeching halt as the Coronavirus pandemic took center stage in the UK as it did the rest of the globe. Many productions forced to stop midway or shelved altogether, although many filmmakers and industry stalwarts instead chose to work around the current pandemic to keep the biz afloat on the market and distribution fronts, with at least some ongoing productions relegated to safety protocols to avoid scrutiny. Marwa, based in Birmingham, had met up with two cast members upon visiting Jakarta last year prior to virtually shooting independent mini-doc, Covid-19: The Impact On Asian Cinema to make use of his time during the U.K. lockdown. In the time thereafter, he chose to put his focus into the virtual markets to pitch his projects, […]

THE HUNT: SAVAGE WITHIN Squads Up In New Stills From The Upcoming Sci-Fi Thriller [EXCLUSIVE]

Lee B. Golden III

Film Combat Syndicate can share a duo of exclusive images to accompany the latest post update from the official Instagram account for The Hunt: Savage Within. Principal photography on the upcoming proof-of-concept wrapped in January from director Fabien Garcia, who began campaigning the project last year. The Hunt: Savage Within marks the latest effort for Garcia and his team at Z Team Films, having amassed numerous short collaborations along with the action-packed splendor of 2014 martial arts fight thriller, Die Fighting. In The Hunt: Savage Within, American-born Filipina actress plays Sarah, a meek forest ranger who finds herself at the center of an epic battle between elite spec-ops soldiers, and a supreme alien killer known only as “The Trickster”. Also starring are Brett Tutor (Monsters Of Men), Lou Wegner (Last Call In The Dog House), Carla Seneca (Sons Of Thunder), Xango Henry (Call Me King), Davis Chong (Die Fighting) and […]

INSIGHT: Ken Zheng Leads The Hard-Hitting Cast In A Bevy Of Exclusive Action Clips And Promos For The New Thriller

Lee B. Golden III

Sun And Moon Films have supplied Film Combat Syndicate with close to a dozen assets of footage, including clips and promos, for the new sci-fi action thriller, Insight. The film was close to seven years in the making for actress, martial artist and filmmaker Livi Zheng, who rejoins actor and martial artist Ken Zheng following their 2014 breakout indie thriller, Brush With Danger, in which the director also starred. Jian (Ken Zheng) is a counter terrorism agent who blends his skills as a martial artist and clairvoyant to bring the world’s most nefarious individuals to justice. This lone wolf is forced to make an unexpected detour to Los Angeles upon receipt of the devastating news of a cover up surrounding his brother’s alleged suicide. With the reluctant help of LAPD detectives, Abby (Madeline Zima), Carl (Tony Todd), and Captain Duke (Keith David), the unlikely group become involved in the investigation. […]

SURVIVORS: Ride Or Die With A First Look At K&K Productions’ Martial Arts Vs. Zombies Proof-Of-Concept [EXCLUSIVE]

Lee B. Golden III

Filmmaking duo George and Harry Kirby have spent more than a decade building their brand as filmmakers and worthwhile content creators through their K&K Productions label. Since then, they’ve garnered a sizeable audience with their projects over the years, many of which are catered to fan favorite IPs such as Dragon Ball Z, League Of Legends, DC Comics, Marvel and more. It was earlier on back in 2013, however, their shortfilm output progressed a little further, making their bid in the horror arena with talented martial arts and stunt stylings of David Cheung (Green Street 3, Black Widow) and Isky Fay (Snatch, Pennyworth) as heroes battling it out in the cold against a swarm of the undead. “At the time, we became very much into the zombie genre and we wanted to bring our love for action to that genre,” says Harry Kirby, who tells us that he and George […]

EXILED: THE CHOSEN ONES Director Teases ‘Apex Predator’, Announces Sequel Title [EXCLUSIVE]

Lee B. Golden III

Director Ranjeet S. Marwa’s newest thriller, Exiled: The Chosen Ones, remains in post-production with the team going over pages of notes of what to include and so forth. All hints at a release are tentatively looking toward Spring or the Summer depending on how things fluctuate, while Marwa continues to build his repertoire a bit for the 2021 seasons. He’s currently developing a new romantic drama which he’ll announce soon, and he’s also prepping a few more projects to round out the year, namely with Sunny Pang hitman thriller, Blind Rage. In the midst of all this though, it hasn’t hindered him, or his team any, from procuring any notions about a sequel to the aforementioned survival thriller, which wrapped additional photography in recent weeks. “The buzz around Exiled has been great so far.” says Marwa, who almost three weeks ago from this report, Marwa announced on The Movie Dojo […]

THE LAST SAVAGE: Check Out These Concept Posters For ‘Skylines’ Director’s Martial Arts Tournament Thriller [EXCLUSIVE]

Lee B. Golden III

The last five years have seen filmmaker Liam O’Donnell riding high as he pressed on with Skyline sequel, Beyond Skyline in 2017, and ultimately prepping a third. By the time of its release though, the freshman sci-fi filmmaker also had his eye on another concept, The Last Savage, which he took and pitched to IFFAM in Macao late that year. O’Donnell shot Beyond Skyline at Mike Wiluan’s Infinite Studios in Batam, and in the jungles and temples of Yogyakarta the year prior, where he fell in love with the country and people of Indonesia. His own director’s statement alluded to his inspiration by the “fierce spirit” of Indonesians and their “fight to preserve its unique wildlife and habitats”, thus describing The Last Savage as “a cinematic love letter to the pulp adventures of Tarzan, the post-apocalyptic world of Mad Max, and the vicious beauty of the martial art Silat.” The […]

WOLVES: Hannah Al-Rashid And Julie Estelle In The Running For Female-Fronted Revenge Thriller In Early 2021 [EXCLUSIVE]

Lee B. Golden III

There’s certainly been a build-up of things in the works for filmmaker Ranjeet S. Marwa, and with as the new year approaches. Following up from last week’s mention of Wolves, we can officially report further on the project’s development with Marwa penning the script to direct, as well as produce. The film is billed as a female-fronted revenge thriller in the vein of John Wick, and is currently circling a shortlist of actresses including Hannah Al-Rashid (Buffalo Boys) and Julie Estelle (Foxtrot Six) for the lead role. The film’s official logline reads as follows: “Old ghosts may prove hard to kill for Tora, a beautiful and deadly assassin who’s since traded in her former life of violence and bloodshed for that of marriage, and motherhood to their young son. On one fateful day, Tora’s world comes crashing down when her family is summarily executed, pulling her back into the fray […]