Episode 25 - Diana Lee Inosanto

Episode 25 - Diana Lee Inosanto

Author: Ben Johnson March 19, 2018 Duration: 1:00:19
Actor, stunt performer, filmmaker, teacher, activist - there's a lot more to Diana Lee Inosanto than just being the daughter of legendary Filipino-American martial artist Dan Inosanto, not to mention the goddaughter of the iconic Bruce Lee. Despite being only seven when the martial arts superstar passed away in 1973, she still has fond memories of "Uncle Bruce" and growing up with the Lee family, with whom she is still very close. She has continued to teach the philosophy and martial arts of her father, and is currently working on bringing his life story to the big screen. She is collaborating with the veteran Hollywood producer Mark Gordon (Saving Private Ryan) to tell the story of Dan Inosanto's secret martial arts training regime with the Dallas Cowboys, regarded as the catalyst for the team winning the Super Bowl in 1978. In this candid conversation, Diana speaks of her interest and appreciation of the martial arts, as well as her journey as an actor and stunt performer. Her credits include Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Face/Off, Blade and Wild Wild West; she has also worked as a fight trainer for actors including Aaron Eckhart and Melissa McCarthy. We also talk about the sexual abuse claims which have rocked Hollywood, highlighted by the Me Too movement. Diana speaks of her own experiences of sexual harassment and how the industry can use this breakthrough moment to make positive changes.

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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 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…