american fighter

AMERICAN FIGHTER Review: Derivative, But Still Packs A Punch

AMERICAN FIGHTER is not an action film per se but rather a sports drama, think more along the lines of ‘BEST OF THE BEST’ (1989), ‘BLOODSPORT’ (1988) or even ‘ROCKY’ (1976); and though it lacks the same pedigree as those classics, there is still much to like about this film by Director Shaun Paul Piccinino. The clinch here (pun intended) is that the protagonist is not an all American boy-next-door, but rather that of an Iranian refugee seeking his own version of the fabled ‘American dream.’ Yet it eludes him due to his ethnicity, with the 80s setting besieged by conflict in an era of the Iranian hostage crisis and the like. High stakes are immediately established for Ali Jahani (George Kosturos) as he enters himself into underground fighting tournaments in order to raise money to free his mother from Tehran, after his Father (Tony Panterra) is killed by militants. […]

AMERICAN FIGHTER Knuckles Up A May Release From Lionsgate

Lee B. Golden III

Filmmaker Shaun Paul Piccinino (The Lackey) was one of the earlier prospects I’d become familiar with since the dawn of this website over at Blogger, and so it feels absolutely rewarding to be discussing his latest feature film at Lionsgate, American Fighter. The film had its debut at Fantasia International Film Festival in 2019 when I was able to acquire a virtual screening of it to review. Needless to say, I dug it, and having since made headway with its releases, including via Signature in the UK, it’s now in Lionsgate’s hands this week with plans to roll the film out in select theaters and wherever movies can be rented beginning May 21, before releasing on Blu-ray and DVD May 25. The move here on Lionsgate’s part also signals the studio’s favor with actor Sean Patrick Flanery whose empassioned mixed-martial arts sport drama, Born A Champion, also released under the […]

AMERICAN FIGHTER Conquers In The U.K. This Summer From Signature

Lee B. Golden III

Shaun Paul Piccinino’s American Fighter stood tall at Fantasia last summer, if my own thoughts on the film are of any hint. It’s the film that follows up from Alex Ranarivelo’s 2016 based-on-a-true-story induction, American Wrestler: The Wizard, with actor George Kosturos reprising his character now for a more fictional telling, and served with a few doses of kicks, throws and body blows to boot. This now brings us to the official trailer, now streaming for its digital UK release from Signature Entertainment on July 20, and comes with its own buzz pitch that reads “American Fighter boasts many gritty and excellently choreographed fight scenes reminiscent of action cult classics Rocky, Lionheart or The Karate Kid.” It’s not wrong, really. Again, I enjoyed it and you’re welcome to click here and read my interview with Piccinino to learn more on his adventure. A desperate teenager is forced into the dangerous […]

TRULY AMERICAN INDIE: A Word With AMERICAN FIGHTER Director Shaun Piccinino

Lee B. Golden III

The 23rd Fantasia Festival just wrapped while my review coverage of the event is also finally culminating. Click and you’ll find at least one review for director Shaun Piccinino’s latest hard-hitting action drama, American Fighter, billed as a non-canonical follow-up to Alex Ranarivelo’s notable hit, American Wrestler: The Wizard. About six years since our first interview, I finally got to reacquaint with Piccinino over last few weeks about his work just as film screened in Montreal for the festival. Needless to say, there’s more to come from him and his at Truly Indie Studios, and I’ll be sure to help spread the word. Enjoy our conversation below! Hey Shaun, I’m glad we can catch up again in the wake of your latest premiere. How have you been? Thanks Lee, I’ve been great! Working on so many wonderful projects, I feel truly quite lucky actually and grateful for all the great […]

Fantasia Review: Shaun Piccinino’s AMERICAN FIGHTER Flies A Flag Of No Holds-Barred Underdog Heroism

Lee B. Golden III

Following their exploits with Alex Ranarivelo’s American Wrestler: The Wizard, producer Ali Afshar and actor George Kosturos brace for more fictional territory under the stewardship of filmmaker Shaun Piccinino. Their latest effort, American Fighter, returns Afshar’s on-screen persona, Ali Jahani, back on camera for a more martial arts-tinged, revved up sequel that welcomes Tom Flanagan into the fray, and actor and BJJ blackbelt, Sean Patrick Flanery. It’s 1981 and George Lucas’ Star Wars has long since become a burgeoning franchise hit. On the other side of the world, the deadly Iran Revolution is underway, and at the behest of his father, Ali has long since relocated to California to live with his Uncle. One day, the two head to the airport where Ali is expected to finally reunite with his family until things take a dark turn. With his mother trapped in Tehran and held against her will, and no […]

George Kosturos in AMERICAN FIGHTER (2019)

AMERICAN FIGHTER: George Kosturos Ups His Game In The Official Extended Trailer

Lee B. Golden III

Filmmaker Shaun Piccinino is proudly taking the floor at the Auditorium des diplômés de la SGWU for the world premiere of his new action drama, American Fighter. The film, which returns actor George Kosturos to the screen in a loose follow-up from Alex Ranarivelo’s American Wrestler: The Wizard, is screening on July 28 for this year’s 23rd Fantasia Festival which just unveiled an extended trailer above, and programmer Rupert Bottenberg sums up the film accordingly: It’s 1981 and the California sun is shining bright, but there are dark clouds over college kid Ali Jahani, a wrestling champ. He’s haunted by memories of revolutionary Iran, from which he escaped as a child. Those disturbing dreams are realized when bad news, not his beloved parents, greets him at the airport. He’s desperate to get his mother safely out of Iran, but this can’t be done through conventional channels. And it can’t be […]

Action Drama AMERICAN FIGHTER Taps Shaun Piccinino To Direct For ESX

Lee B. Golden III

Acclaimed director and film multi-hyphenate Shaun Piccinino is set to direct American Fighter for ESX Entertainment. The film is a sequel to last year’s American Wrestler: The Wizard which starred actor George Kosturos in the 1980-set tale of a young Iranian teen transplanted into a new town where he’s forced to face adversity from all angles after joining the high school wrestling team. Kosturos is returning to the sequel according to a new report from Variety which also lists Tommy Flanagan, Bryan Craig, Sean Patrick Flanery and Parviz Sayyad attached to star. Forrest Lucas, Ali Afshar, Christina Moore and Anna Zielinski are producing the film with a story by Afshar that now centers on a desperate teen who builds character between opponents upon competing in the underground fight circuit to save his dying mother. “Continuing down the line of a ‘Rocky’ meets ‘Karate Kid’ story, this new ‘American Wrestler’ movie remains a […]