the paper tigers

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THE PAPER TIGERS Cast And Crew To Cross Hands With Fans At Comic Con International This Month [EXCLUSIVE]

Comic-Con International: San Diego is less than two weeks away with the days winding down and with all the guests and attendees plotting their panels and presentations. This especially goes to the production team behind award-winning runaway independent martial arts comedy hit, The Paper Tigers, who will be on hand for fans during the one-hour panel event, “Kung-fu in the Age of Marvel and John Wick”. “To go to THE Comic-Con representing ourselves and a film we built from the ground up is certainly something special and will undoubtedly be unforgettable.” producer Al’n Duong tells FCSyndicate. “This cast and crew are near and dear to our hearts. Not all film sets are created equal, but The Paper Tigers set was family. We all have branched out to do bigger and badder things since our premiere, and we’re happy to finally be able to get everyone under the same roof again. […]

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Fighting Spirit Film Festival 2021 Affirms September Dates, Feature Line-Up And More!

The next installment of the Fighting Spirit Film Festival for 2021 will be another constrained event, this year for further film festivities, and for remembrance of the fallen. Opening the festival’s two-day gathering at the Stratford Picturehouse on September 11 will be Bao Tran’s feature debut action comedy, The Paper Tigers. Ten years in the making and brought to life with the support of a global community, the film stars Alain Uy, Ron Yuan and Mykel Shannon Jenkins as three washed-up former kung fu disciples on a quest of self-discovery and old age as they’re faced with confronting the elite martial arts assassin who killed their Sifu. Altitude will release the film on Digital September 30. Following that will be what looks to be one of the most gripping documentaries you’ll ever bare witness to in More Than Miyagi: The Pat Morita Story. From Love Project Films and written by […]

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‘THE WAY OF THE PAPER TIGERS’ – Video Interview with Writer Director Bao Tran w/ Producer Al’n Duong

Early June had presented me with the opportunity to sit down and interview Bao Tran, the Director and Writer behind the breakout action hit comedy ‘THE PAPER TIGERS.’ The time difference thankfully didn’t sully any of the content with Bao and his Producer Al’n Duong, providing a candid and enjoyable conversation – illustrating the story behind this incredible project. The perils of interviewing a duo (a phenomena I had experienced at certain junctures during my journalistic pursuits at Australian IRONMAN bodybuilding and fitness magazine) can present a rather unique dynamic, which results in a two contrasting personalities; thus requiring said journalist to adapt and change the line of enquiry. This was certainly not the case with Bao or Al’n. Both were incredibly receptive and accommodating, despite the immense traction and high praise that this film has garnered these creative talents were very humble and open. Both Bao and Al’n had […]

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THE PAPER TIGERS Review: Embracing Earnestness

Earnestness is underrated. Cynicism and brutality have their time and place, especially in martial arts films, but sometimes it’s refreshing to be reminded why the art form matters and what can happen when taken too far. Western action puts a heavy emphasis on jacked guys kicking ass and taking names, quipping about how cool they are or how crazy their situation is along the way. When it’s clicking, that can be a ton of fun, but it becomes tough to watch when the prerogative has been placed on that and not on the action itself. You forget that this stuff hurts. Investment becomes almost nonexistent because you’re just watching people do unbelievable things with very little effort. It becomes visual noise that washes over you with little impact. Action has largely forgotten that we need to care about our central figures. It’s not enough to say “Isn’t this cool??” Enter […]

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CROSSING HANDS, AND HUGS: A Night Out Celebrating With The Director, Star And Producers Of THE PAPER TIGERS In NYC [UPDATED]

  There’s no question the abysmal toll taken on theatrical exhibitors left behind by the Covid-19 pandemic. That espeicially included the prospects of any in-person events that folks might have been planning at the top of last year. With more than a year passing since then, and the progress brought on by the accelerations of vaccine output in the States thanks in large part to a new administration, it’s been rejuvenating somewhat to see moviegoers slowly getting to return to theaters, albeit under continual safety restrictions still in place in many areas. In the midst of it all, it’s especially been opportune for filmmaker Bao Tran as he and his team travel the country to attend select screenings and Q&A events to celebrate the long-awaited release of his feature film debut, The Paper Tigers, now out in theaters and on Digital from Well Go USA. Following recent stops in Bellevue, […]

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THE PAPER TIGERS To Screen At Village East By Angelika In NYC With Director Bao Tran, Star Alain Uy, More In Attendance

Once more, I’m inclinded to help boost the signal for Well Go USA’s latest prospective release, The Paper Tigers, which is now available in select theaters and on deck for disc releases as well this summer. What’s specifically important here though is that attendees to the Village East by Angelika in New York City this Friday and Saturday evening will get to meet director Bao Tran, as well as producers Michael Velazquez and Dan Gildark. Also on hand will be actor Alain Uy who leads the cast for the film, from a script by Tran which centers on a trio of middle-aged former kung fu prodigies forced to get their fighting groove back to avenge the death of their beloved Sifu. Also starring Ron Yuan, Mykel Shannon Jenkins, Matt Page and Ken Quitugua, the film is home to countless positive reviews in the past year since commencing its virtual festival […]

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Reminder: Bao Tran’s THE PAPER TIGERS Debuts In Theaters Today From Well Go USA!

By all accounts, if you’re a martial arts fan then there’s really no excuse for not having heard of Bao Tran‘s feature debut, The Paper Tigers. Born from an idea nearly a decade ago leading to an action-packed proof-of-concept, and an extensive galvanizing effort to crowdfund a targeted campaign to the global film markets for better appeal just a few years ago, that idea now comes nourished with nearly back-to-back stellar reviews from critics and virtual festival audiences the world over, including two reviews here at FCSyndicate HQ from none other than myself, as well as Melbourne-based Vance Ang whose own recent coverage partly states the following: “…As a feel good action comedy, the movie concludes in a decidedly formulaic fashion neatly wrapping up the story. Though nothing teases a sequel, the strength of its characters and themes could no doubt present this avenue – as Bao Tran clearly deserves […]

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Movie Review: The Paper Tigers – “FEROCIOUS FERVOR”

Late one evening, a venerated martial arts master Sifu Cheng (Roger Yuan) is quickly dispatched by a superior opponent cloaked in shadow, who respectfully bows and fades into darkness as the master succumbs to his injuries. Though jarring, it quickly sets a shocking tone for ‘THE PAPER TIGERS’ (TPT) before quickly doing a flashback into the past with three young pupils being mentored by the aforementioned fallen master. The young children are friends Danny, Hing and Jim (played by child actors Kieran Tamondong, Bryan Kinder and Malakai James). Through the literal lens of VHS, these memories show how this trio develop into talented and lethal martial arts fighters, winning challenge matches in high school, at rival dojos and even on the street. Teens Danny (Yoshi Sudarso), Hing (Peter Adrian Sudarso) and Jim (Gui DaSilva-Greene) quickly gain notoriety for their prowess and are dubbed as ‘The Three Tigers’, growing their reputation […]

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THE PAPER TIGERS Lunge Into U.S. Theaters And On VOD This May From Well Go USA

Collider‘s Haleigh Foutch presented the exclusive trailer and poster for Well Go USA’s upcoming martial arts comedy, The Paper Tigers. The film marks a feature debut for writer/director Bao Tran, following its nine-year journey of development which included a blistering shortfilm pitch to present to marketeers. This, followed by preliminary footage to showcase for Frontières, in addition to crowdsourcing and campaigning in alignment with a heavy-handed movement for inclusion in today’s film industry amidst its festival run, and you can surmise exactly the kind of effort that makes a film like The Paper Tigers worth appreciating, rounds of positive reviews and sequel hopes notwithstanding. As teenagers, kung fu aficionados Danny (Uy), Hing (Yuan), and Jim (Jenkins) were inseparable, but drifted apart after graduation due to a mysterious fallout at an overseas tournament. Fast forward 25 years, and each has grown into a washed-up middle-aged man seemingly one kick away from […]

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THE PAPER TIGERS Lands At Well Go USA For A Spring 2021 Release

It’s been a long journey for writer/director Bao Tran‘s kung fu comedy, The Paper Tigers, with nine years of meticulous planning and pitching all the way through production. The film’s next stop on the festival circuit will be the 43rd Asian American International Film Festival as of Thursday, while word from Deadline‘s Dino-Ray Ramos reports the film now has North American acquisition thanks to Well Go USA. The film had its world premiere for the virtual 24th Fantasia Festival back in August. You can check out my review at this link. Billed as an homage to Bruce Lee and Seattle’s kung fu scene, the film stars Alain Uy (Marvel’s Helstrom), Ron Yuan (Disney’s Mulan) and Mykel Shannon Jenkins (Undisputed III), as a trio of former Seattle kung fu badasses years away from their teenage glory. When they learn of their Sifu’s murder, the three are forced to dust themselves off […]

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THE PAPER TIGERS: VOD Tickets On Sale Now For AAIFF 2020

The 43rd Asian American International Film Festival is bowing on October 1 through 11, and so if you live in the tri-state area and have been following Bao Tran’s gung fu comedy, The Paper Tigers, you’re in luck. The film just had its world premiere at Fantasia with more screenings on the way, and amidst the deluge of upward reviews, including my own, the film also scored a 100% Fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes as of this report. Limited tickets are now on sale for screenings of the film which stars Alain Uy, Ron Yuan and Mykel Shannon Jenkins as former gung fu prodigies of their youth who’ve fallen from grace through old age and lack of practice. When they learn of their Sifu’s murder, the trio are forced to dust themselves off and measure up to some of today’s young and cocky purveyors of martial arts in order to […]

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LAAPFF XXXVI: ‘The Girl Who Left Home’, ‘The Paper Tigers’ Among Current Selection For The Upcoming Virtual Festival This Month Through October

As Visual Communications celebrates its 50th anniversary, the firm is proudly presenting the 36th edition of the Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival after scaling back its plans for a May launch. While full line-up awaits announcing, a small bundle of titles including Mallorie Ortega’s The Girl Who Left Home, and Bao Tran’s upbeat gung fu comedy, The Paper Tigers, which just had its world premiere at Fantasia since the weekend. The official schedule will go public on September 15, and you can learn more over at the official website. The Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival (LAAPFF), presented annually by Visual Communications (VC), announced today that the 36th edition of the Festival will take place online from September 24 to October 31, 2020. Originally slated to take place in May 2020, the Festival postponed its in-person spring presentation due to COVID-19, and shifted to present the first Los Angeles […]

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Fantasia XXIV Review: In Bao Tran’s THE PAPER TIGERS, Quinquagenarians Tackle Old Age, Counter Culture And Personal Dilemma In An Upbeat Whodunit Kung Fu Murder Mystery

If you’re a fan of martial arts cinema and have kept up with the burgeoning waves of online talent since 2000, you’ve likely had your eye on filmmaker Bao Tran given his output through his POV-films banner. By 2008, the move to etch his place in independent film history a time or two, including with the wunderkinds of Zero Gravity for noir-tinged action drama short, Bookie, would only be the fortuitous start of Tran’s journey of resolute creativity through community. For this, it’s been nine years since Tran began development, and six since setting it all in motion with his 2015 proof-of-concept, The Challenger, eventually taking his hustle to the Frontières pitch floor with a rich concept and a bold statement to the industry and the world that now culminates his ambitious feature film debut, The Paper Tigers. Directing from his own script and adherent to a bona fide cast […]

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THE PAPER TIGERS: Catch These Hands In The First Official Teaser

THE PAPER TIGERS: Catch These Hands In The First Official Teaser

Award-winning filmmaker and Corey Yuen protégé Bao Tran has earned his stripes well in the past decade as an emerging director. Having further envisioned his progression with keener representation of minorities on the big screen, his latest application with kung fu comedy thriller, The Paper Tigers, aims to do that and a whole lot more. The project’s history dates back to 2015, beginning initially as a hard-hitting proof-of-concept called The Challenger. In the years that followed, Tran and his team, along with producer Al’n Duong, were hard at work advancing with intricate financing and planning measures to galvanize supporters and kung fu cinema fans alike, and even trekking to the Frontières Market in Cannes to make their appeal. Last Spring, Tran and his team were finally able to to commence principal photography after hitting their key crowdfunding goals. As for The Paper Tigers, actors Alain Uy, Ron Yuan and Mykel […]

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THE PAPER TIGERS Are Officially Cast As Cameras Roll For The New Kung Fu Comedy

Bao Tran‘s exhilarating 2015 kung fu proof of concept in The Challenger is taking shape at long last with its current evolution, The Paper Tigers, already underway in Seattle, Washington. The official headline casting for the film has also been laid out as well with Dino-Ray Ramos at Deadline confirming actors Alain Uy (The Morning Show), Ron Yuan (Blood And Bone) and Mykel Shannon Jenkins (Undisputed 3: Redemption). The trio will star respectively as Danny, Hing and Jim – former kung fu prodiges now working as middle-aged men one kick away from pulling a hamstring. When their master is murdered, they must quell their differences in order to seek justice. The actors are joined by 102 Productions’ own Phillip Dang along with sibling martial arts duo, YouTubers Andy and Brian Le (Unlucky Stars, Luc Van Tien: Kungfu Hustle). The three will play a gang of martial artists who come from […]

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FIVE-A-DAY COUNTDOWN: Strega, Contracts, The Paper Tigers, The Outlaw Johnny Black, and Johnny Z

Yesterday we reached past the halfway point of our goal in listing 100 movies to keep track of in 2019. As always, here is another list of five: Strega: After Gun Caliber, actor and filmmaker Bueno is ready to set forth his newest milestone achievement for a rollout this year following suit from his 2016 debut feature. Upgraded to a sleeker black-and-red toned outfit, the gun-toting, perverted suit hero is now faced with new evil, and he’s got a sexy sidekick for good measure in AV star, actress Miori Mai. Contracts: As much as I’ve iterated my support for independent action cinema, Canadian stunt performer and filmmaker has been one of the best, foremost examples invoking why. His latest feature debut is still brewing – formerly titled Contracts 3 – an assassin thriller in which he stars and directs, and I actually got to screen an earlier version of this […]

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Bao Tran’s THE PAPER TIGERS Fulfills On Kickstarter, Signals Forthcoming Stretch Goals

On Saturday, the official Facebook page for Bao Tran‘s upcoming film, The Paper Tigers, posted a new video announcing they’ve reached their all-or-nothing Kickstarter goal. “We have a bit of news for The Paper Tigers on our Kickstarter,” said producer Al’n Duong. “We have reached our goal!” The Paper Tigers began as a shortfilm proof of concept called The Challenger, starring Martial Club’s own Andy Le, and Unlucky Stars actor Ken Quitugua. The release of the short followed with the production of the ten-minute pitch that was funded via Fractured Atlas and presented to buyers at the Frontiéres Platform at the Marché du Film at Cannes earlier this year. Footage from that pitch was finally introduced in a preliminary teaser on October 29 when the Kickstarter launched to help crowdfund a total of $110,000. A week-long dollar-for-dollar push at $10,000 was thrown in the mix on November 21, adding donors […]

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UNFOLDING ‘THE PAPER TIGERS’: Catching Up With Filmmaker Bao Tran

For what it’s worth, director Bao Tran’s 2015 short, The Challenger, was just the shot in the arm needed to help grow his brewing vision for a larger feature narrative. That evolution will next arise as The Paper Tigers which now has a new campaign pending as of Monday to accrue the necessary support needed before rolling cameras some time in the first or second quarter of next year. Tran is joined by producers Michael Velasquez, Al’n Duong, Dan Gildark, and cult cinema favorite, Yuji Okumoto, along with a cadre of ripe, experienced talents as of late for a recently-filmed ten-minute pitch that Tran and Duong brought to the Frontières forum earlier this year to present the film to buyers. Essentially having shot two proofs this time around, I sought an opportunity to try and share an update from the director about his endeavors. The official website is still up […]

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ONCE A COWBOY, ALWAYS A RANGER: A Word With BUFFALO BOYS Star Yoshi Sudarso

As 2017 came to a close, the new year felt ripe in its approach with the number of projects – particularly coming out of Southeast Asia – that were slated to arrive at forthcoming dates. It all stems from the kind of residual energy and excitement that has been percolating since Gareth Huw Evans put an unknown in the spotlight with Iko Uwais in Merantau, just several years before an already world-scale famous Tony Jaa would segue into more flexible auspices of management ahead of Furious 7, among other regional entities such as in Singapore, India, the Philippines, Cambodia and the like. It’s not without its show of struggle though, given the well-documented hurdles faced by aspiring artists toward the action genre in most of these territories – a reminder that the renaissance we’re now seeing has been, a continues to be one that is long and hard fought for. […]

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