Episode 14 - James Nunn / Matthias Hoene

Episode 14 - James Nunn / Matthias Hoene

Author: Ben Johnson May 16, 2017 Duration: 1:10:19

Aspiring filmmakers should definitely tune into this episode of the Kung Fu Movie Guide Podcast, as I talk to two up-and-coming, talented, London-based directors Matthias Hoene and James Nunn, who are both making waves internationally with their own action films. Firstly, I talk to the director Matthias Hoene about his new film, Enter the Warrior's Gate (aka Warrior's Gate), a Chinese-European co-production written by Luc Besson and Robert Mark Kamen. The time-traveling wuxia fantasy stars Dave Bautista, Uriah Shelton, and the Chinese actors Ni Ni, Mark Chao, Francis Ng and Kara Hui. If you are reading this in the States, you can watch the film right now exclusively on DirecTV.


My second guest is James Nunn, who has become a highly sought-after director after being launched onto the UK indie scene with his first directorial effort, the acclaimed thriller Tower Block (2012), co-directed with Ronnie Thompson. He has since collaborated with top UK fighting star Scott Adkins on two films: Green Street 3: Never Back Down (2013), and Eliminators (2016), which was James' first film under contract with WWE Studios. His most recent movie, The Marine 5: Battleground (2017), featured a number of WWE wrestlers and is available to watch right now on digital and Blu-ray. We discuss his earliest film memories, working with Scott Adkins, how to make a convincing action movie in London, and the impact piracy is having on the film industry.


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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 67 - Isaac Florentine / Max Repossi [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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Duration: 1:08:50
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Episode 63 - Benny "The Jet" Urquidez [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:11:12
Martial arts legend Benny "The Jet" Urquidez was born into a fighting family. His father was a boxer; his mother, a professional wrestler. The second youngest of nine siblings, Benny had to fight to be heard, adapting qu…
Episode 62 - Joe Taslim [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:17:12
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Episode 61 - Larnell Stovall [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:17:50
When martial artist Larnell Stovall first saw the film Blade in 1998, it was a lightbulb moment. But it wasn't the actions of Wesley Snipes as the titular kick-ass vampire hunter which would spark a sudden interest in wa…
Episode 60 - Rocky Taylor [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:15:32
At 75, Rocky Taylor is known as Britain's oldest stunt performer. A day before this podcast was recorded, he was doing doughnut spins in his car and setting himself on fire. In the last year alone, his stunt credits incl…
Episode 59 - Ludi Lin [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:10:53
The career of multilingual Chinese Canadian star Ludi Lin has gone from strength-to-strength over the last few years, with Ludi enjoying success across a range of genres in both China and the USA. Landing the role of the…