martial arts with a message

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Shortfilm Review – WARRIORS (2016)

Warriors is an Argentinian short film that uses martial arts as the back drop of a deeper message. Directed by and co-starring Fabricio Martin, the story takes place in a private martial arts competition with our protagonist and another opponent. What seems to look like a martial arts drama goes into something more, with a message that resonates with anyone and not just martial artists. From what we are shown at the beginning, Pablo is an underground fighter that is participating in some illegal looking competition to pay for his grandmother’s house so she doesn’t get evicted. His coach, however, is in it for the money and wants Pablo to hide a knuckle duster in is left glove to finish the fight when the time is right. At the critical time when Pablo has his opponent pinned to deliver that punch, it switches to a more metaphysical fight. Pablo is […]

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Silat Action Drama YASMINE Gets Global Distribution

Lee B. Golden III

Debut director Siti Kamaluddin is still gracing the summer film festival circuit with her newest martial arts action drama, Yasmine, starring Liyana Yus. Much to Kamaluddin‘s approval and that the folks behind the curtain over at Origin Films, the film is marking a major milestone for the director who has so far been busy touring with the film in parts of Asia, and over in Switzerland where it won best Asian film for its Neuchatel premiere earlier this month. And this week, the new film is making headlines with some astonishing updates for fans of the genre all over the world. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the new film has just been snagged by Canada-based indie sales holder 108 Media for worldwide rights. The acquisition comes in light of the excitement currently building up for the film’s forthcoming North American premiere on the night of Friday, July 25 at the […]

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'Win For Love' In The New Music Video For Martial Arts Drama, YASMINE!

Lee B. Golden III

Just off of leaving an impression for attendees at this year’s 17th Annual Shanghai International Film Festival, filmmaker Siti Kamaluddin is still on the road this month with two months left until her new martial arts drama, Yasmine, opens domestically in Brunei this August 21. Until then, the promotional campaign for the film continues with the film now being represented at this year’a 7th Annual ASEAN Consumer Fair in Brunei where Origin Films will be pitching some cool Yasmine-related merchandise. Featuring fight choreography by former Jackie Chan cohort Chan Man Ching, Yasmine is Kamaluddin‘s directorial debut marking the first commercial feature film of its kind to hit Brunei screens in five decades. The film is written by Salman Aristo, and stars breakout lead actress Liyana Yus in a coming-of-age story about honor, family, and most of all, love – the latter being the central theme of the film’s new music […]

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A Warrior Will Rise In The New Indie Webseries Trailer For THE WAY: FIGHTER'S TWITCH

Lee B. Golden III

Independent filmmaker, actor and Jeet Kune Do purveyor Ronny Vega is ready to tackle the second installation of his ambitious new project which delves into the very psyche of what it means to pursue martial arts glory. The second season, The Way: Fighters Twitch, picks up where the finale of the first season for The Way left off with co-star, actor and martial artist Khalil Barnett who also serves as series writer in addition to the new lead actor. The new trailer for the first episode, “Hair Of The Dog”, has gone viral and you can check it out below, in addition to three character posters for the inspired new independent action drama series. Subscribe to the channel and stay tuned for more updates! SYNOPSIS: The Way: Fighter’s Twitch is a martial arts action series that examines the consequences of ego. A warrior’s path is no easy journey. And losing […]

ReDefinition Films Presents: A TASTE OF CAPOEIRA: BATIZADO TIME!!!

Lee B. Golden III

Independent filmmaker Kamal Robinson is currently in the middle of working a series of feature-length documentaries centered on the Brazilian martial art, Capoeira. Initially filmed in Los Angeles two years ago, A Taste Of Capoeira: Batizado Time!!! is reportedly the second in a series of films produced under Robinson‘s banner, ReDefinition Films focused on Capoeira and the lives it touches on a daily basis. This time around, Robinson puts explicit focus on the events and workshops in the days leading up to the main ceremony for Capoeira Brazil’s annual Batizado, emcee’d by CBLA’s own Mestre Boneco and organized by his staff and other participants. And aside from the training and martial aspects of Capoeira, Robinson‘s new film will immerse you in the various interpersonal lives and stories of purveyors and teachers impacted by Capoeira, offering just a slice of a much more global community that comes together in various parts […]

Egos Clash With Steel In The New Shortfilm, PRIDE OF THE SAMURAI

Lee B. Golden III

It’s not often that independent filmmakers can complete a conceptual short piece right away; a lot of times they’re working with several ideas at once with other responsibilities in between. But eventually, things workout, and a concept once put on film finally gets realized and ready to show the world. Such is the case with indie action director Seshiro Kazama (a.k.a. Shaun Charney) who just unveiled his latest contemplative chanbara short film titled Pride Of The Samurai. This particular project, took a few years to finish, and with this being the first of a four part miniseries, hopefully the other three will be well on their way very soon, and of course, time will tell. For now, check out Pride Of The Samurai in the embed below, featuring Charney opposite fellow action actor Jimmy Chhiu, with voiceover narration by Charney and actor Rocky Chavez. And if you haven’t subscribed to […]

THE MARTIAL ARTS KID Aligns With Heavy Hitters To 'Kick' Bullying

Lee B. Golden III

If you’ve been tuned in for the past several months to the recent effots of White Tiger co-stars, actors and action legends Don “The Dragon” Wilson and Cynthia Rothrock, chances are you caught onto the current development of their new cinematic labor of love, The Martial Arts Kid, to be directed by Michael Baumgarten. Wilson and Rothrock can currently be seen in their recent campaign video for the film’s Kickstarter platform which launched last month, and and with three weeks left as of this write-up, the film just recently announced young lead actor Jansen Panettierre for the title role. In light of this, a new press release is out that puts focus on the broader issue of the film’s message, partnering with a New Jersey-based non-profit charity organization Bullying…We’re Kickin It. It’s a message firmly backed by everyone involved, including one of the film’s co-producers, Hollywood stuntwoman Cheryl Wheeler-Duncan, among other major […]

Karate Action Short, OSU, Emits Hardcore Brutality With Martial Grace

Lee B. Golden III

From L to R: Nate Hitpas, Tony Vittorioso and Micah Karns perform Goju Ryu Karate kata, Seiunchin, in the Vlad Rimburg-directed short, Ous. Back in January, I wrote that it was going to be an exciting year for action fans, and particularly for those who follow the work of independent action director and filmmaker Vlad Rimburg. This week, Rimburg fortifies that exact point in his latest indie action shortfilm, expressively titled Osu. The name itself is based on a mildly known word in Japanese culture that is also rooted in a myriad of meanings. In this case, the expression grants the application of yet another installment in the growing repetoire of stellar action shorts by Rimburg, whose YouTube channel has been gaining serious virality and recognition with major industry stunt coordinators and other film bloggers since the release of his homage to The Raid 2 with CZ12 co-star Caitlin Dechelle […]

The Bushido Spirit Reigns Supreme In The New Martial Arts Drama, SANG PEMBERANI (THE BRAVE)

Lee B. Golden III

It was last year that an extended pitch trailer went viral for the Indonesian production of Sang Pemberani (The Brave), directed by Alyandra Pandjipoera and co-directors Agung Dewa and Ryuken Raissa. The film appears to have had some publicity in a few international venues since then, but not much is known about this particular project which filmed sometime last year with its most notable alternate working title, Bushido Spirit. At any rate, the film appears to finally be on its way to Indonesian cinemas with a date now set for May 22. Sang Pemberani stars young actor Reza Hariyadi along with The Raid 2 and Guardian co-star, actor Tio Pakusadewo in this inspirational, thematic tale of a young boy’s journey through triumph over turmoil, the bond of family amidst hardship and tragedy, and the unbreakable spirit that solidifies one’s martial way of life. Kung Fu cinema action veteran and forthcoming […]

New Webseries THE WAY Blends Cerebral Thriller With Bruce Lee Ethos

Lee B. Golden III

I’ve often mentioned Florida’s independent action industry in previous reports and things have since continued brewing with features well on their way from various aspiring directors that I know of. And this week, I can now add another to the list of folks I’ve covered with multifaceted actor and independent filmmaker Ronny Vega who newly unveiled his zero-budgeted online action series titled, The Way. A 14-year purveyor of Jeet Kune Do under Bruce Lee disciple Richard Bustillo, Vega based his concept for the series on formatting each episode as interwoven stories written with a message rooted in Lee’s history, his life philosophy and resounding legacy. Accordingly, the late martial artist and film sensation would also shape Vega aspirations to pursue multiple aspects of film for well over a decade now. “My mother and father were martial artists,” he says. “When I was five, my father would always put Bruce Lee’s […]

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 […]

Go For The Kill: An Interview With KUNG FU FEMMES Producer And Director Tony Laudati

Lee B. Golden III

It was back about a few months ago that Film Combat Syndicate wound up in touch with independent filmmaker and martial arts enthusiast Tony Laudati, best known for his prolific involvement in his enduring labor of love, Kung Fu Femmes. If you are new to this project right now just as I was earlier this year, a simple click to the official YouTube channel will show you up to eight years of content that illustrates just how what was once a concept lagging on paper has blossomed into a longstanding successful cult phenomenon, featuring a variety of physically gifted and talented athletic females. Point in fact, it is was so impressive that it even caught our own Scott Wiley’s attention back when he interviewed actress, stuntwoman, martial artist and Thousand Pounds Action Company member Amy Johnston, who can also be seen in a few of the webisodes now available on […]

Dolph Lundgren Lends A Voice To A Real-World Issue In The New Film, SKIN TRADE

Lee B. Golden III

Perhaps the biggest spectacle that action fans might look for in director Ekachai Uekrongtham‘s upcoming international thriller, Skin Trade, would obviously be the action sequences featuring its lead stars, mainly Dolph Lundgren, Tony Jaa and Michael Jai White. And off of just wrapping the production in Thailand last month, we finally saw an action packed teaser reel that promises to deliver exactly that. But for a project that has been in the works for several years for Lundgren, who also helped produce the film, it was way more than just another day at the office. Earlier this week, the actor went onto CNN International program Quest Means Business with anchor Richard Quest where a few bits of new footage were shown in between segments. Among other things, Lundgren explained a lot of his motivations behind the picture regarding the issues pertaining to illegal human trafficking, which is still an issue […]

THE KARATE KID 2 Finally Nabs A Director

Lee B. Golden III

Today, international martial arts action star Jackie Chan celebrated his 60th birthday to the delight of adoring lifelong fans around the world. For some, today also marks a special treat for those who enjoyed Chan‘s role as Mr. Han, director Harold Zwart’s iteration of late actor Pat Morita’s role as Mr. Miyagi in the 2010 hit film, The Karate Kid, based on the 1984 original film of the same name. On Monday, it was made public that Sahara and The Crazies helmer Breck Eisner would helm the long-awaited sequel for Sony Pictures which would see actor Jaden Smith reprising his role as the character Dre Parker alongside Chan, and possibly actress Taraji P. Henson as Dre’s mother. Granted, further updates are still pending, although I absolutely enjoyed what the 2010 remake had to offer in helping showcase Smith as a physically able and talented actor who can meet the demands […]

Film Of The Week: MAN OF TAI CHI (2013)

Lee B. Golden III

SYNOPSIS: In bustling Beijing, China, ambitious young “Tiger” Chen Lin-Hu (Tiger Chen) works as a lowly courier; but after work, he is a young martial arts star, rising through the ranks representing the Ling Kong Tai Chi tradition. Though most associate Tai Chi with peaceful, yoga-like movements, Tiger has perfected the ancient art and started to make a name for himself in the prestigious Wulin Wang martial arts championship. Meanwhile, in Hong Kong, police investigator, Suen Jing-Si (Karen Mok), who works for the organized crime unit OCTB, has run into a wall in her pursuit of Donaka Mark (Keanu Reeves). Donaka is a powerful Hong Kong businessmen who runs a secret underground fighting ring, where cold hard cash is made by defeating one’s opponent in a no-holds barred fight privately broadcast to wealthy patrons. Looking for a new “star,” Donaka tries to lure Tiger with the promise of easy money. […]

American Tokusatsu Emerges With A New Hero In FUJIYAMA ICHIBAN, Now Filming!

Lee B. Golden III

Tokusatsu fanfare still runs high in its vast community of admirers, around the world, particularly over in Los Angeles, California where a new hero has been created in the form of Fujiyama Ichiban. The character is an original serialized work of author and creator, veteran actor, martial artist, stunt coordinator and suit actor Michi Yamato, whose credits include suit acting for the American TV iteration of Kamen Rider, as well as shows such as Robot 8-Chan and Bioman. Living and working in America since 1993, Yamato is the founder of his own stage combat team over at Samurai Action Studio where he has been ramping up efforts on the action end of things to help bring Fujiyama Ichiban to life right here in America. And this month, off the heels of hosting a successful festival back in December of last year, Yamato is now behind a new directorial effort for […]

The Reality Of Internal Conflict Meets A Touch Of Kung Fu Fantasy In The New Trailer For WARRIORS

Lee B. Golden III

Argentenian martial arts action continues to keep itself on the map with the long awaited release of the new dramatic martial arts action shortfilm, Warriors. The project marks the latest efforts from independent filmmaker and fight choreographer Fabricio Martin, and his production company, Victory Magic Films, and this week, we have a new trailer for the brand new martial arts film following previously unveiled photos courtesy of The Action Elite a few months ago. Watch the trailer and stay tuned for more info. SYNOPSIS: Pablo is a young martial artist who lives with his grandmother and, because of lack of money, is about to take a wrong desicion. In the midst of an enormous confusion Victor will appear, a spiritual being that will make Pablo understand his life from an other point of view. An inner battle between good and evil. WARRIORS is a martial arts and fantastic shortfilm that […]

Virtue Clashes In A Hail Of Ballistic Kung Fu In The New Shortfilm, THE RIVAL REUNION

Lee B. Golden III

Daniel Mah launches his assault in ‘The Rival Reunion It’s been about five years since the amazing folks over at Martial Club began their mission, one which involves martial arts, and using cinema as a platform to achieve in sending their message to the observing public. “Our main goal as Martial Club is to preserve the virtues and ethics of traditional Martial Arts in the modern world.”, says founding team member, aspiring martial artist, award-winning tricking impressario and aspiring actor Andy Le. “We believe the true purpose of Martial Arts is often overlooked and we hope to change that. We want to inspire the world through Martial Arts and hopefully see a greater appreciation for the Martial Arts in the modern society.”. This week, the team continues to reverb that very message with a brand new shortfilm this week featuring members Andy Le and Daniel Mah in The Rival Reunion, […]

Silvio Simac Dares You To Move In The New Action Short, TRICK OR TREAT

Lee B. Golden III

Anyone who happens to be a fan of martial arts action cinema has likely seen actor, action performer and 14-time champion fighter Silvio Simac, who you may recognize from previous appearances in such films as Danny The Dog (a.k.a. Unleashed), The Transporter 3, Undisputed 2: Last Man Standing and in the newly released kung fu thriller from Keanu Reeves, Man Of Tai Chi. While fans can expect to hear more on Simac’s endeavors in film in the years to come, it appears he is also expanding his resume a little more as a filmmaker, sharing co-directorial credits with editor Harvir Gill for Simac’s latest shortfilm performance, Trick Or Treat. The new short plays as a spoof on films like The Terminator and all thing involving tough guys in action films, and of course the title seems fitting for what would have been an awesome October release right around Halloween. However, […]