I’ve only seen action film documentaries that commonly cover Hollywood and Hong Kong. Seldom has Thailand been a subject in this regard, even particularly since the early 2000s when Tony Jaa collectively lunged a knee at our senses with Ong Bak (2003), and this is where actor and filmmaker Byron Gibson (Rise Of The Footsoldier: Retribution, Bet Dead Casino) comes in with his latest effort, Action Movie Mayhem: Bangkok’s Dangerous.
Viewers get to hear from several interview subjects along the way: Ron Smoorenburg, Tofan Pirani, Alessio Pescatori, Willy Zogo, and Suksuwan “Pom” Wongsuwan, with action footage interwoven between each segment. You get to hear first-hand from the cast about their entry into the industry, the benefits and challenges and lessons they’ve learned along the way.
The cast talks abundantly about the importance of enduring the work and avoiding shortcuts or temptations to quit, even in the face of duplicity from haters and the occasional gatekeeper. Some of the more acute highlights come with deeper confessions from a few of the cast members regarding family woes and physical injury, the latter of which gets a brief archival flashback with some brutal footage that isn’t for the faint of heart.
Smoorenburg, who has collaborated with Gibson on many projects in recent years, is especially emphatic on how Thailand operates in its machinations for action and stunt design, as well as a hub for international players looking to leave their mark in the region. He also shares a bone to pick with a few mainstream franchises he’s not too fond of, and I can think of a few other directors I’ve spoken to and heard of who might agree with him.
If you’re into action films and have watched documentaries like Kung Fu Stuntmen and Red Trousers, or even the 87Eleven-centric Action and Wick Is Pain, Action Movie Mayhem should proffer something extra in its spotlight of the Southeast Asian region. Bangkok’s Dangerous is only the first episode, with more to come from Gibson who is also working on two more that are well on the way.
Watch Action Movie Mayhem: Bangkok’s Dangerous for free on Relay.
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