australia

ECHO 8: Maria Tran, Phoenix Eye Fast Track Independent Psych Action Thriller For January Production

Actress Maria Tran took to social media on Sunday to announce pre-production on upcoming psychological action thriller, Echo 8. Tran will star and make her feature directorial debut, as well as head a cast that also includes local actors Takashi Hara and David Vuong. Echo 8 centers on a highly trained assassin who finds herself in a strange house with no memories of how she got there, in the wake of a specialized mission gone awry; Think: Jaume Collet-Serra’s Unknown by way of Renny Harlin’s The Long Kiss Goodnight. Script is currently in the last stages of development with screenwriter Elizabeth H. Vu (Mr. Ghost, The Perception) finalizing the latest draft. The self-funded project hails from Tran’s Phoenix Eye banner where she and cohorts Therese Chen and Nancy Trieu have been working on their film slate with a number of titles, in addition to journeying between locations to share in […]

TAKING ACTION IN THE OUTBACK: Award-Winning Director Johnny Balazs On NIGHT SHIFT, Filmmaking, Fandom And Fortitude

Lee B. Golden III

The last few years have proven helpful in discovering talent out in Australia, and not without some serious internal effort for that matter on the part of its select residents. Characteristically, Australia is just one example out of many in the world in which a demographic of inspired, up-and-coming creatives work and do their best to thrive in their field of choice, which is film. In parallel, however, the land down under also has its share of setbacks – specifically pertaining to the business stimulus of producing local action films. Melbourne-based filmmaker Johnny Balazs is just one out of the pressing handful of talents working and shaping himself around a lens to change this. “The term independent action cinema doesn’t exist in Australia.” says Balazs. “I would often ask people name one action film that’s Australian that you remember and can recall in the last 5 years. Most say Fury […]

THE INNER CIRCLE: A Word With HUNT FOR HIROSHI Director Sam Gosper

Lee B. Golden III

Watching slews of shortfilms continues to put me in the throes of many a filmmaker, and one such individual has since graced me with a fabulous project several years in the making. Enter Circle Of Ninja, a title with franchise potential based on the inner-workings of Resilient Pictures and martial arts stunt and film group, Team 9 Lives over in Australia where aspiring filmmaker Sam Gosper is still laying out the framework for this latest foray into the genre. Thus, first on deck of his Circle Of Ninja franchise is Hunt For Hiroshi, a new shortfilm now making the rounds among private eyes before heading to the Cannes Film Festival in May. I had the opportunity to screen the shortfilm my self last month, and I stand by my review proudly under the distinct notion that it’ll certainly be a feat worth enjoying should this awesome project be granted the necessary […]

Shortfilm Review: HUNT FOR HIROSHI (2016)

Lee B. Golden III

Spend enough time on social media browsing posts about ninjas and movies and you’re bound to come across posts regarding… well, ninja movies. It’s a subgenre that still generates fervor among martial arts fans today, and even enough to garner interest in aspiring film professionals these days. Moreover, it’s a fact that now leaves us with the stylings of filmmaker Sam Gosper representing Australia with his Circle Of Ninja film series beginning with his newest shortfilm debut, Hunt For Hiroshi. Actor Abe Taki kicks off this latest introduction to Gosper’s vision as the title villain – a former ninja himself whose ascention into crime boss status makes him the prime target of former clan and brother-in-arms, Hisashi (David Vuong). With Hiroshi hiding in recluse and Hisashi closing in, all that stands between Hisashi and his target is Dale (Laurent Boiteux), the relentless tactical unit leader in Hiroshi’s employ whose job […]

MONK COMES DOWN THE MOUNTAIN And Kicks Ass In A New International Trailer!

Lee B. Golden III

A North American release date remains pending for director Chen Kaige‘s latest offering, Monk Comes Down The Mountain. In the meantime, with trailers running about, Sony Pictures Australia unveiled its latest trailer several days ago for its own release on July 2, and while earlier trailers have shown more of the film’s comedic tone, this one certainly engages the martial arts spectacle and fantasy much more. SYNOPSIS: In the film, when a young monk is forced to leave his impoverished monastery, he relies on his extraordinary martial arts skills to survive in the outside world. In search of a mentor, he crosses paths with a Kung Fu master who is in possession of the Book of Secrets, which reveals the lost art of the deadly Ape Strike Kung Fu technique. The rare book is coveted by a sinister father and son who will go to any extremes to obtain it. […]

Joshua Tieu Takes Out The Yakuza In A New Clip For THE CHALLENGE LETTER!

Lee B. Golden III

Production is now at the halfway point for the folks behind the upcoming independent martial arts drama, The Challenge Letter, for which production could finish as early as January 2016. Actor Shimamoto Nobuaki stars in this, Sifu Robert Chen‘s directorial debut with co-helmer Nathan Colquoun in a story of a Japanese martial artist who wages a challenge against the world’s top fighters to become the best. The movie is currently casting Chinese actors for more scenes as of this week while I was able to get a quick word or two in with Chen about the status of the production, as well as the overall experience so far. “We try to be as culturally correct as we can with the portrayal of the different groups involved whether Japanese or Chinese, the Culturally diverese crew has huge input in how a scene is going to pan out.” he says. “With action […]

Armor-Up For New Trailer For Down Under Zombie Apocalypse Thriller, WYRMWOOD: ROAD OF THE DEAD!

Lee B. Golden III

It’s been a long road for Aussie filmmaking/producing duo, brothers writer/director Kiah and co-writer Tristan Roache-Turner, but now their long-awaited zombie apocalypse thrill ride is ready to make a splash on the big screen for Wyrmwood: Road Of The Dead. The largely independently funded road killer thriller is four years in the making, intially shooting throughout parts of Austrailia over 20 weekends without a script. The film originally landed perpetual acclaim among critics throughout the film festivals last fall with screenings in Busan, Toronto and over at Fantastic Fest in Texas upon landing several release deals since then, including IFC Midnight and Studiocanal for the U.S. and U.K. respectively, and with Anchor Bay/Raven Banner for Canada as of several days ago. As such, we now have a fresh new trailer this week to help build anticipation over a film that’s sure to impress more audiences. In the aftermath of a […]

Watch The Stylish New Teaser For Australian Martial Arts Feature, THE CHALLENGE LETTER

Lee B. Golden III

Not a lot of kung fu instructors take an interest in acting or screenfighting. As for those who do, it’s always appealing when you find that number of such people who are keen on expanding their craft to such a field, and impressively so. Such is the case with martial arts instructor Sifu Robert Chen of Chang Sing Tong Kung Fu Academy in Australia where he is now in the midst of his latest foray into feature length martial arts action with their current production, The Challenge Letter. An untitled teaser released back in November prior to getting an official branded teaser as of earlier this month, and while the plot is unknown at this point in time, the footage itself is nothing short of amazing, scored with a great montage of Chinese, Japanese and Brazilian fighting styles among others likening a bit to tones similar to hits such as […]

AFM 2014: Aussie Zombie Western BULLETS FOR THE DEAD Readies Filming

Lee B. Golden III

If hybrid Western zombie thrillers are more your speed, then you may be delighted to learn of what’s happening this month for the forthcoming feature production of Bullets For The Dead from writing/directing duo Joshua C. Birch and Michael Du-Shane. The film itself is an expansion following a three-minute concept short they put together in 2011 as part of a masters’ program for South Brisbane’s Griffith Film School where they attended at the time. Set to begin filming in Queensland, Australia on November 17, the film centers on the story of James Dalton, a hardened bounty hunter who, while en route escorting a gang of outlaws led by Annie Blake and upon rescuing a lone preacher from the remains of a massacre, is forced to battle his way through the zombie apocalypse across the American West of the 1870s. Actor Christopher Sommers leads the current cast with actress Vanessa Moltzen […]

Dardrex Presents: DARREN HOLMQUIST V. SHAUN BEEHAG

Lee B. Golden III

Darren Holmqist tries to force Shaun Beehag into submission in their latest fight. It’s not often that independent online filmmakers and action performers travel to other areas of the world to make short test fights for the simple fun of it. However, for online actioner Darren Holmquist, it was quite convenient a pairing when Aussie professional traceur Shaun Beehag flew to California recently on business and decided to pay Holmquist a visit. Hence, we are offered a brand new test fight this week featuring Holmquist and Beehag, choreogrpahed much to the tune of Holmquist‘s “New Style” of evolving choreography that strays from the usual Hong Kong elements he’s incorporated in his projects over the years. The new short was also another opportunity for Beehag to help sharpen his performance level as a stuntfighter since going on hiatus early last year to establish himself as a fitness trainer and an obstacle […]

Help Put Oz On The Map For The New Martial Arts Thriller, MY BROTHER'S RAGE

Lee B. Golden III

Main lead actor Zane Dirani preparing ahead of the main role. (PRNewsFoto/Tom Kondo) The martial arts action cinema genre still has a very sizeable fanbase, and one that can always use a good action film of its kind to entertain audiences everwhere. Part of that audience includes folks over in Australia where at least one filmmaker is determined to make a martial arts film for its deserving fanbase. That filmmaker’s name is Cameron Miller, and he and his cast and crew are assembling a new martial arts action revenge drama titled, My Brother’s Rage, with fellow lead actor Zane Dirani who can be seen beasting out some sick training in a new Indiegogo campaign video for the film, now aiming to help fund some of the film’s essentials, including stunts, on-set effects and make-up and fake blood to enhance the action. As such, the Indiegogo campaign is just three days […]

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Watch An Entire Community Turn On Itself In The New JOHN DOE: VIGILANTE Trailer

Lee B. Golden III

Wanna see what happens when the media sensationalizes the exploits of a self-aggrandized cold-blooded vigilante killer on trial? Then you’ve come to the right place with the new crime thriller, John Doe: Vigilante, from Aussie writer and director Kelly Dolen. And to boot, we have a new trailer following this week’s press release which has all the details you need below. (Special thanks to Scott Wiley for the nod!) LOS ANGELES, CA February 3, 2014 – Main Street Films will be releasing John Doe: Vigilante on March 21, 2014 in select cities. The controversial film has sparked debate during audience test screenings due to its graphic portrayal of violence and incendiary subject matter. Star Jamie Bamber (BATTLESTAR GALACTICA) has spoken out about the film’s controversial subject matter calling it a “social commentary about what’s right and wrong.” The film is about a man who takes the law into his own […]