Episode 08 - Cengiz Dervis

Episode 08 - Cengiz Dervis

Author: Ben Johnson October 18, 2016 Duration: 56:31
British actor and former world kickboxing champion Cengiz Dervis is my guest on this episode of the Kung Fu Movie Guide Podcast. This interview took place in the same week Cengiz discovered that he had landed a large role in a new 10-part TV series produced by Marvel's Avengers star Jeremy Renner and The History Channel called Knightfall. Since retiring from the ring, Cengiz has worked behind-the-scenes as a fighting coach, training the likes of Natalie Imbruglia and Rowan Atkinson for the Johnny English films, and also Rosamund Pike for the James Bond film, Die Another Day. He also runs his own production company, Fight Me Productions, for which he writes, directs and produces his own projects.Cengiz was taught martial arts by his uncle from the age of five. He continues to train six times a week, even mastering the legendary Iron Palm (or 'dim mak') technique. Cengiz discusses how a troublesome upbringing in a rough part of London forced him to develop his self-defense skills, and how he channels the same commitment he displayed in the ring into his acting work. Cengiz has worked with Scott Adkins and Joey Ansah on Green Street 3: Never Back Down, and Ansah's subsequent work with Alain Moussi in the Street Fighter: Resurrection TV mini-series. We are predicting great things for Cengiz, so be sure to keep up to date with all his latest news via his website, cengizdervis.com. Big thanks to George Dennis for his continuing technical support. Also, a quick warning: there is a bit of bad language on this one.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.


There's a particular magic in the stories behind the fights, the philosophy woven into the choreography, and the sheer dedication it takes to create martial arts cinema. The Kung Fu Movie Guide Podcast is built on those stories, offering a backstage pass to the world of Hong Kong action, classic Shaw Brothers epics, and modern martial arts filmmaking. Host Ben Johnson, who created the extensive kungfumovieguide.com resource, sits down for detailed conversations with the very people who bring these films to life. Each episode features an unscripted, in-depth interview with actors who threw the punches, stunt performers who designed the falls, directors who framed the shots, and choreographers who turned violence into poetry. You'll hear about their career paths, the challenges on set, and the deep, personal passion that fuels their work. This isn't just a surface-level recap of famous movies; it's about the craft, the history, and the human effort behind every iconic scene. For anyone who has ever wondered about the artistry behind a perfectly executed fight sequence or the legacy of a genre that spans decades, this podcast provides a rich, engaging listen. Tune in for genuine insights from the heart of martial arts cinema.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Kung Fu Movie Guide Podcast
Podcast Episodes
Episode 48 - Jude Poyer [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:12:06
On his very first day working on a Hong Kong action film set, Jude Poyer saw someone rushed to hospital when a stunt went badly wrong. Instead of seeing this as a bad omen, Jude - who had relocated to Hong Kong at the ag…
Episode 47 - Chris Collins [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:06:40
When ex-US Marine and martial arts instructor Chris Collins took his Wing Chun pupils to see the film Ip Man 3 in 2015, he joked that he would be appearing in the next film in the Ip Man series - if another sequel was ev…
Episode 46 - Jason Tobin [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:02:00
As a lifelong fan of Bruce Lee, the chance to play a starring role in HBO's Warrior TV series - based on a story by the late kung fu movie star and executive produced by his daughter, Shannon Lee - was a once-in-a-lifeti…
Episode 45 - Tribute to Alexander Fu Sheng [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:03:02
Alexander Fu Sheng would have celebrated his 65th birthday on 20 October 2019. A poster-boy for Shaw Brothers' unique brand of high-octane martial arts action films throughout the 1970s and early 80s, Fu Sheng died tragi…
Episode 44 - Heidi Moneymaker [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:06:04
When Hollywood stunt performer Heidi Moneymaker was asked to flip a car three times in mid-air while doubling for the actor Saoirse Ronan in the 2013 film, The Host, she approached the job in much the same way she approa…
Episode 43 - Fighting Spirit Film Festival 2019 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:07:06
We have been reporting from the Fighting Spirit Film Festival since it started back in 2016. Now in its fourth year, the event has grown to become the UK's largest martial arts movie festival; a two-day celebration which…
Episode 42 - Mindy Kelly / Janell Smith [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:05:23
From the age of four, Mindy Kelly has dedicated her life to the martial arts. Since moving to Hollywood, she has made her name as both a stunt performer and coordinator, working on music videos for the likes of Lady Gaga…
Episode 41 - Scott Adkins / Mark Strange [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:19
Today we welcome back the martial arts movie star, Scott Adkins, who makes his third appearance on our show. Scott and the director, Jesse V. Johnson, have been responsible for some very impressive work over the last few…
Episode 40 - Olivia Jackson [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:18:13
It was while doubling for Milla Jovovich on the set of Resident Evil: The Final Chapter in 2015 that Olivia Jackson's life would transform forever. A promising young stunt performer, model and Muay Thai kickboxer from So…
Episode 39 - Sonny Sison [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:02:39
After watching Thailand's Ong-Bak and Indonesia's The Raid, the producer, stunt coordinator and fight choreographer Sonny Sison had an epiphany. Where were the Filipino action films promoting their indigenous martial art…