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 58 - Brett Chan / Jwaundace Candece [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:27:16
Martial artist Brett Chan has enjoyed a steady rise in the film and television industry since his first appearances fighting with the Ninja Turtles in the late 1990s. A veteran Hollywood stunt performer with over 150 cre…
Episode 57 - Loren Avedon [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:14:29
When Loren Avedon answered a call to the Jun Chong Martial Arts Academy on Wilshire Boulevard in Los Angeles late one night in 1987, little did he know that the call would prove to be life-changing. With only a matter of…
Episode 56 - Stu Bennett [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:07:56
Stu Bennett's transformational story from a shy, skinny kid growing up in the north of England to five-time WWE Intercontinental Champion and 'King of the Ring' - known by his pro-wrestling name, Wade Barrett - seems lik…
Episode 55 - Tara Macken [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:04:16
The key to success in the stunt world, says Hollywood action star Tara Macken, is to be an all-rounder. Tara's resume is testament to that philosophy. Raised in the jungles of Borneo, Tara's adventurous spirit started at…
Episode 54 - Richard Norton [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:17:02
In the late 1970s, Richard Norton - martial artist and bodyguard to the stars - faced a crossroads in his life. He could either stay in Melbourne, Australia, and continue with his nine-to-five job, teaching martial arts…
Episode 53 - Vincent Wang [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:03:27
When a stunt performer couldn't get the right shot needed during a 70ft fall on the set of Vietnamese superhero movie, Lôi Báo (2017), the film's action director, Vincent Wang, made a quick decision. With time running ou…
Episode 52 - Scott Adkins / Maria Tran [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:23:22
Tired of scrolling through streaming platforms trying to decide on the next thing to watch during lockdown? Then let the martial arts action star Scott Adkins help you, as he discusses his favourite fight films of all ti…
Episode 51 - Sarah Chang / Vincent Soberano [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:02:42
You could say it was Jackie Chan that first brought together the Manila-based martial arts power couple, Sarah Chang and Vincent Soberano. They first met at the Jackie Chan Stuntman Training Centre; a huge complex in Tia…
Episode 50 - Gareth Evans [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:17:44
Through his trio of martial arts films - Merantau (2009), The Raid (2011) and The Raid 2 (2014) - filmmaker Gareth Evans helped to put Indonesian action cinema on the map, launched the careers of a new generation of figh…
Episode 49 - End of Year Show 2019 with Mike Fury [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:21:04
Welcome to our annual, festive End of Year Show for 2019, featuring the Life of Action author and fight movie expert, Mike Fury. It has been another action-packed and diverse year for martial arts movies, from off-beat i…