Episode 20 - Michael Worth

Episode 20 - Michael Worth

Author: Ben Johnson August 28, 2017 Duration: 1:11:41
Today we celebrate the weird and wonderful world of Bruceploitation cinema with the martial arts action star, director, writer and fellow podcaster, Michael Worth. When he's not making his own movies, Michael has been following his passion for kung fu movies with a number of exciting projects. I catch up with him during the filming of his own Bruceploitation documentary, which looks into the strange sub-genre of films which followed in the wake of Bruce Lee's untimely death in 1973. The 'clones' films made cult stars out of a number of Bruce Lee imitators including Bruce Li, Bruce Le, Bruce Leung, and Dragon Lee. Many of these names feature in Michael's documentary, as well as legendary kung fu movie actors, directors and producers like Angela Mao Ying, Godfrey Ho, Lee Tso-nam, Mars, David Chiang, Yasuaki Kurata, and the late Phillip Ko.Michael has also penned an accompanying book, The Bruceploitation Bible: The Film Clones of Bruce Lee; both the book and the film will be released later in 2017. He is also helping with the digital restoration of a number of classic Bruceploitation titles for Blu-ray release, working alongside the distributor, Severin Films. Michael is also the co-host of The Clones Cast, a great podcast which looks at a different Bruceploitation title on every episode. In the 1990s, Michael Worth became a prominent star of martial arts action films with movies like Final Impact (1991), To Be the Best (1993) and Fists of Iron (1995). In more recent times, Michael has moved behind the camera to write and direct his own projects, which include Killing Cupid (2005), God's Ears (2008) and the upcoming MMA drama, The Butterfly Guard (2017). We discuss Michael's earliest memories of Bruceploitation cinema, the reasons behind its continuing cult appeal, and some of his favourite titles.

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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
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