On April 24, 2015, KUNG FU KILLER enjoyed a limited American theatrical release. The film is another Kung Fu tour de force for our most celebrated superstar today, Donnie Yen. In the director’s chair is a noted veteran of Hong Kong Film, Teddy Chen. Like many H.K. filmmakers, Chen has filled several roles in the industry: actor, writer, producer, and director. KUNG FU KILLER is his tenth film as director; martial art film fans know his directorial talents best for two previous films. THE ACCIDENTAL SPY (2001), starring Jackie Chen, was a globe-trotting action flick shown theatrically to America long before there was streaming. It was distributed to the U.S. market by Disney’s Dimension after some severe plot-shift editing. BODYGUARDS AND ASSASSINS (2009), which also featured Donnie Yen, was a major success in Asia, garnering numerous film awards and nominations, and it won Best Film, Best Director (Teddy Chen), Best Supporting Actor (Nicholas Tse), Best Cinematography (Arthur Wong), Best Art Direction (Ken Mak), Best Costume Make Up Design (Dora Ng Li-lo), Best Action Choreography (Stephen Tung Wai and Lee Tat-chiu), and Best Original Film Score (Chan Kwong Wing and Peter Kam) from the prestigious Hong Kong Film Awards.

We had the opportunity to chat with KUNG FU KILLER’s director, Teddy Chen.

 

GC: What inspired the making of KUNG FU KILLER?

TC: I have been practicing Kung Fu since I was a child. I learned many styles. But I had a car accident a few years ago and got my hand injured, so I can no longer fight. I think Chinese Kung Fu is not about bringing your enemy down but how you become a decent person. The more you explore the Kung Fu world, the more you discover. Every school has numerous styles. For example, Bruce Lee’s Jeet Kune Do. A small move can have so many deep meanings. That’s what inspired me to make KUNG FU KILLER. Right now many Hollywood action films heavily utilize special effects. They create worlds that don’t exist in reality. Our digital technology might be far behind and there might be a long time before we catch up. But Hong Kong Kung Fu films are still popular even among western audience. I hope my films are seen by not only Chinese audience but also audiences around the world, so I decided to make a Kung Fu film.

GC: How was it working with Donnie Yen on KUNG FU KILLER?

TC: I want to make a great Kung Fu film, a modern Kung Fu film. There are lots of excellent action directors in Hong Kong. For me, Donnie Yen has travelled around and participated in quite a few productions of action films, so he has rich experience shooting actions and knows well about leading-edge technology. What he has to offer is exactly what the film needs. We know each other well and I believe he can help me bring my vision to reality.

GC: You also worked with two Shaolin-trained martial artists in KUNG FU KILLER: Wang Baoqiang and Shi Yanneng.  How was it working with them?

TC: It was great to work with them. They are both very professional. (During the shooting) Wang Baoqiang fought very very hard.

GC: Tell us a little about your personal martial arts background and how that plays into KUNG FU KILLER.

TC: I went to school in Taiwan when I was little. I learned Xingyi, Tai Chi and Bagua when I was a high schooler. Back in elementary school I learned Japanese Judo. In recent years I also started practicing Wing Chun.

GC: KUNG FU KILLER pays homage to a lot of Hong Kong film veterans.  What would you say about these cameos to the American audience?

TC: I’m paying tribute to them. Starting from 1960s, their hard work helped Hong Kong Kung Fu films become a world-known genre, but many also got themselves injured because of their jobs, some even lost their lives. Audience might only get to know faces on screen such as Donnie Yen and Wang Baoqiang, but few get to learn about people who work behind screen to make these films happen. I’m doing this for them.

GC: When most Chinese movies are going directly to home entertainment, what does getting a U.S theatrical premiere for KUNG FU KILLER mean to you personally?

TC: I hope American audience like this Chinese Kung Fu film. I hope they not only watch the fights but also get its message and understand what learning Kung Fu means. This is very important since I know many people in the U.S. practice Kung Fu.

GC: When you were making KUNG FU KILLER, were you thinking about how it might play to the global market or were you mainly speaking to a Chinese audience?

TC: I didn’t give which audience the film’s targeting too much thought. The story can happen anywhere in the world and that was my standard. You can see some intense fighting scenes and a detective story. That’s the point.

GC: What do you think are the biggest differences between Hollywood and Chinese film today?

TC: Nowadays Hollywood films create worlds that don’t exist in reality. They are fake but they have good-looking special effects, and special effects satisfy audience. Chinese films are more down-to-earth since our technology is not that developed yet. I think gradually the difference will become blurred as we have more and more co-productions.

GC: This is your second Kung Fu-themed film in a row after BODYGUARDS AND ASSASSINS (2009).  Will you do another?

TC: One of my favorite directors is Steven Spielberg. He can make JAWS (1975) and he can also make SCHINDLER’S LIST (1993). I want my filmography to be that diverse as well. So I don’t want to label myself as an action director. My next project could be a comedy, a horror or even a detective thriller.