Action actor and stuntman Gui Da Silva returns back to the screen for his latest performance in the new shortfilm, Knife Fight. The shortfilm is Da Silva‘s latest (….ahem…) stab at weapons’ choreography opposite fellow actor and stuntman James Young, exquisitely arranged once again by LBP Stunts Chicago’s own Emmanuel Manzanares, who previously directed Da Silva in the stellar pistol-whip action short, Extraction.
It was back in February in the early existence of Film Combat Syndicate that I got to share a dialogue with Hollywood stuntman, action performer and martial artist, Keith Min. A prominent member of LBP Stunts Chicago, much of Min‘s energy in martial arts is spent observing the core, internal philosophies of his teachings as an instructor in Chicago, trained in a variety of disciplines ranging from Baguazhang and Tai Chi, to his preferred style, Xing Yi, which can now be viewed in its cinematic aesthetic in the new kung fu action shortfilm, Xing Yi Quan: Techniques And Applications.
As I interpreted before in my informative and poignant discussion with Min back in February, Min‘s internal principles are what embody his vision to be able to implement his training with students in a simple but effective, and enjoyable manner to students of all types and sizes. Min expanded on the said “internal” benefits of his martial arts training, telling Film Combat Syndicate “Martial arts has really given me a way to condition my body and mind in very unique ways through various exercises, fighting techniques, and chi kung and meditation. I really appreciate the internal styles of kung fu because of how much they emphasize taking care of health. In my life, martial arts have taught me a lot about my outlook on life and how to deal with it.”
During our chat, Min also expressed the foundation of his teachings in Xing Yi, and detailed a little bit more in how he goes about instructing his students, highlighing strength, uniqueness and coordination, among other things. “My classes are Xing Yi which is a very powerful and direct style.” he says. “I teach how to use alignment and body mechanics along with great exercises for health and longevity.” He also added, “There is a big emphasis on full body power and coordination. I like arts like Xing Yi because its concept-based techniques have several applications. But I truly appreciate the way they take care of the body and aim to make it more healthy instead of just building raw strength for power…”
Filmed in the Bedford-Stuyvesant section of Brooklyn, N.Y. earlier this year back in March, Min earned the opportunity to formulate much of that concept for Xing Yi Quan: Techniques And Applications when he collaborated with New York-based independent filmmaker Jon Truei, and fellow New York stunt actors Kenny Wong and Cinematic Fight Studio’s own Lang Yip, Team FistyleZ’s Joey Min from New Jersey, and fellow action actors Jayson Soto and Matt Healey from Philadelphia and Connecticut, respectively. The new shortfilm is edited entirely in slow-motion, which doesn’t take away at all from the dynamic tone of the choreography and the editing, but augments it in a way that further justifies his credentials as one of the best in his respective fields, as a bonafide stuntman, stunt coordinator, teacher, and purveyor of the spirit in which Kung Fu continues to exist to this day.
Click HERE to read my interview with Keith Min. It is one of my earlier articles, and personally, I am very proud to both begin and end my first year as founder and editor of Film Combat Syndicate with a write-up about Min in a brand new body of work.
In addition, you can learn more about Min in the description of the video where you may subscribe to LBP Stunts Chicago for more awesome content. And also, check out some behind the scenes photos following the brand new shortfilm below.