Episode 21 - Matthias Hues

Episode 21 - Matthias Hues

Author: Ben Johnson September 12, 2017 Duration: 1:09:49
Today we welcome one of martial art cinema's all-time greatest villains to the show. The giant, musclebound German fighter Matthias Hues has spent a career taking on the likes of Dolph Lundgren, Cynthia Rothrock, Don "The Dragon" Wilson, Bolo Yeung, Billy Blanks, Lorenzo Lamas and Mark Dacascos. But despite his on-screen persona, Matthias is actually a very sweet-natured person, as revealed in this wide-reaching, in-depth conversation. His story is fascinating. He became a highly successful owner of health clubs in Germany before spontaneously moving to Hollywood at the height of the action movie boom in the 1980s. He worked out at the famous Gold's Gym and was eventually spotted, landing an early breakthrough role replacing Jean-Claude Van Damme in the 1988 sequel, No Retreat, No Surrender 2: Raging Thunder. He then landed the main villain role in the cult Dolph Lundgren movie, Dark Angel (1990 - also known as I Come in Peace).Throughout the video boom of the 1990s, Matthias Hues became the poster-boy for a special brand of low-budget American action film, and featured in fight flicks like Mission of Justice (1992), TC 2000 (1993), Bounty Tracker (1993), and Fists of Iron (1995). In more recent times, Matthias can be seen working with Mark Dacascos on a number of exciting new film projects, including Showdown in Manila (2016), Maximum Impact (2017), and Ultimate Justice (2017), which is available to buy on DVD from 3 October.

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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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