If you don't know who Jack Ma is, you haven't been paying attention. Jack Ma is one of the richest men in the world today, a founder of one of China's most successful business conglomerates, the Alibaba Group. And he loves Chinese martial arts. He's so passionate about it that he's been working to promote it in novel ways, including creating a new martial sport and promoting it with a short film that starred some of the biggest names in the martial arts world today: Jet Li, Donnie Yen, Wu Jing, Tony Jaa, Jacky Heung, Asashōryū Akinori, Zou Shiming, and Natasha Liu Bordizzo. It's called Gong Shou Dao (The Art of Attack and Defense 功守道) and we covered it in our March+April 2018 issue in the news article Gong Shou Dao – Is It Fit for the Olympics? by Emilio Alpanseque.

The 24-minute short film was initially released in China on November 11 of last year, or Double 11, also known as Single's Day. Since then, it has garnered over 170M views. Now for Chinese New Year 2018, Ma is releasing Gong Shou Dao internationally. Gong Shou Dao can be seen here.

We had the opportunity to chat with Gong Shou Dao's femme fatale, the up-and-coming martial arts ingenue Natasha Liu Bordizzo.

GC: We’ve read that your background is in Taekwondo. Please tell us a little about that.

NLB: When I was around nine or ten my parents wanted me to start training in either dance or martial arts. I chose martial arts. I’m not sure what my logic was at the time aside from perhaps “dance is too girly.” I’m very glad for the decision - my years training in Taekwondo, Muay Thai and Kenpo were not only great for fitness and strength, but also for discipline and tenacity. They also served as a place to vent any frustration during my teenage years. I think martial arts is super important for kids, especially girls. It teaches you how to have proper control of your body, particularly in self-defence.

GC: How was it switching to Chinese style martial arts?

NLB: Wudang sword fighting differs hugely in form and technique from the other types of martial arts I had tried. I trained in Wudang sword fighting solely for my first film - Netflix’s Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon 2: Sword of Destiny. It is a completely different physical form - much more graceful and almost demands the body to move as one unified, fluid entity.

GC: How did you get involved with Gong Shou Dao?

NLB: The opportunity was presented to me and I was utterly shocked by the line-up of martial arts legends working on this film. I was even more dumb-founded that I was being asked to be involved. I’m lucky enough to be mentored by the one and only Michelle Yeoh, since we filmed the sequel to Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon together. All these opportunities in the martial world are only sent my way due to her guidance.

I quickly learned of Jack Ma’s dreams in promoting Chinese martial arts, particularly Taiji, to be universally practiced — it made me think of all the spiritual and physical benefits that martial arts has given me in my own life and childhood.

Most importantly, I wanted to be part of this movement because it’s so important for women and young girls in particular to practice martial arts. The challenges of tackling opponents (often male) in the Dojo as a young woman really do re-program your mind to utilize that bravery, discipline and tenacity to other areas of your life — something women can really benefit from considering a society that teaches us to be cared for and protected by others. I really do believe that physically learning to defend myself, made me mentally far more equipped to handle the many challenges of a career in film - particularly in traveling alone and fending for myself since my late teens.

GC: Tell us more about Gong Shou Dao – how is it doing in China and what is its next step?

NLB: Gong Shou Dao is a story showcasing the beauty of Taiji and other martial arts from various cultures and traditions. In the film, Jack Ma stumbles across a street called “Mount Hua Sect” hiding between flowers and trees. He enters and is soon confronted with multiple martial arts masters from around the world, where each martial arts discipline is tested against the likes of world-renowned stars such as Jet Li. It is not until the end of Jack Ma’s journey that the truth of his experience is revealed. The film is doing really well and has already received over 170 million views online. The international launch today on the GSD site is our next step so tune in to see what Jack Ma’s revelation is. Our goal is to promote the benefits of Taiji and how it brings Taiji’s harmony and balance.

GC: Do you think Jack Ma will do more martial arts short films like this?

NLB: Jack Ma definitely has an appreciation for Chinese martial arts and Taiji, which stems from his admiration of the work of Louis Cha. He’s a visionary and the team at Alibaba Pictures have plans to become a part of the global entertainment industry, so you never know where he might pop up next.

GC: Have you added Chinese martial arts to your training regimen?

NLB: Of course.

GC: What was it like to work with such an illustrious martial arts cast?

NLB: The whole cast was incredibly humble and easy-going. They’re all legends in their own fields, but while filming together they made jokes and chatted like regular old friends. The atmosphere of making the film was relaxed and fun. I was probably the most nervous person there for obvious reasons!

Ma Yun invited us to eat lunch with him every-day during filming. He shared alot of valuable knowledge about good energy, business philosophies and his journey. The rest of the cast also shared stories from their lives - challenges they’d overcome. It was really special. I’ll remember that experience forever.

GC: After being in Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon 2 and Gong Shou Dao, you’ve worked with some of the best martial arts stars already and the martial world is pretty jealous. How do you feel about that?

NLB: I am merely a student of them all! I’m equally as in awe of them as the rest of the martial world, and equally as shocked by my own good fortune.

GC: What are some of your favorite martial arts movies?

NLB: Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon (2000), Drunken Master (1978), Hero (2002), Ip Man (2008), Kill Bill (2003) and The Matrix (1999).

GC: Who inspires you now in the martial arts?

NLB: That’s a hard question, because the martial arts world expands so far past just film, entertainment and even competitive sports. I am equally as inspired by those I train with, my teachers, my peers and every beginner who’s brave enough to get started.

GC: What are your upcoming projects? Any more martial arts films?

NLB: There’s a lot of exciting stuff in the works. Martial Arts is a beautiful undercurrent that will always flow through my career, but I’ve loved doing a wide variety of projects. Right now I have a Chinese action-comedy film Detective Chinatown 2 releasing this Friday for Chinese New Year weekend! After that I have an American-Australian thriller based on a true story involving the Mumbai Terrorist attacks of 2008 called ‘Hotel Mumbai‘ with Dev Patel and Armie Hammer. Finally, I also have an animation with Sony which I’ll be able to announce soon where I voice the female lead. So -- really huge variety and loving it!