THE LATIN DRAGON SPEAKS: An Interview With REDEEMER Star Marko Zaror!

It's been well over a decade since Chilean martial artist and stuntman Marko Zaror transitioned his career, thus landing in our sights with his debut role in the action-packed feature, Kiltro. Billed as the first South American film of its kind, it helped put Zaror and its director Ernesto Diaz Espinoza on the map toward greatness as the two forged a path through film that would ultimately see them become festival favorites by and large.

Nowadays, Zaror's fourth film with Espinoza, Redeemer, is on the cusp of releasing to North American audiences next month, and it's a real pleasure to still see films like this exist for the big screen, even as films like these are allocated to limited targeted metropolitan theater chains and VoD/digital platforms. Zaror and action stars like him don't get the mainstream treatment that Hollywood once gave to the genre in the 1990's when movie goers couldn't wait to see Jean-Claude Van Damme do a sick helicopter kick to someone's face, so I'm more than willing to throw my money in and support this movie when it comes.

As it stands, it's quite refreshing to add Zaror to the roster of people I can finally share my fandom with and learn from. He's done more than well for himself in becoming one of the biggest stars of the martial arts movie genre and he's grown a fanbase with an outpouring of support that still remains since his career took off while proudly bearing the nickname, "The Latin Dragon". In addition, he continues to accumulate a wealth of knowledge that further sheds light on the need for film industry growth on an international level for aspiring film workers in South America, which no less qualifies him as someone anyone on their way up should listen to, even as he, himself, never stops learning.

You learn things by talking to people, and it's an honor to have spoken with him in lieu of his latest success and continuing efforts in film and martial arts. With his current resume of hits, he's got plenty more coming as he so discusses in his newest interview with Film Combat Syndicate.

Film Combat Syndicate: Greetings Marko, and thank you for taking the time to talk about your career with Film Combat Syndicate. How is 2015 treating you so far?

Marko Zaror: Hello Lee and thanks for your support! 2015 started really good for me with filming The Green Ghost in Austin, Texas and it was a really nice experience. I play the main villain and also served as fight choreographer, and I've got some amazing projects ahead. I feel healthy and I'm training good, so I'm really thankful.

FCSyndicate: You've been around for quite sometime now, but for those of us just getting to know you, tell us a bit about who you are and how you got started in martial arts and film.

MZ: I started martial arts when I was 6 years old. My mother is a Blackbelt in Karate and she used to take me when I was little, but my passion for martial arts truly began when I with my first viewing of Enter The Dragon. From then on, I understood the personal connection there was between martial arts and the direction I wanted to go in life, and I took up several styles thereafter, training in Karate, Kung Fu, Tae Kwon Do, Boxing, Gymnastics, etc. 

It really grew my curiosity on how the human body can evolve and I then excelled into studying high-performance training, learning how athletes train to achieve more speed and power and so on, and I began applying these methods into my own training regimen. 

I traveled to Mexico where I trained with José Luís Mósca and Roberto Perez. At the time, Mosca was working on home videos movies and I realized that there was a opportunity for me to contribute to the martial arts genre through film. Afterwards I then began looking into TV acting, and it was not until close to a year later that I had to make the move to Los Angeles. 

When I arrived, it opened opportunities for me to begin working on stunts, and I ultimately got to work with Andy Cheng on Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson's 2003 film, The Rundown. And my story continued from there.

FCSyndicate: I like how you mentioned your interest into high performance training as a means of evolving your own training in stunts and martial arts. What are some specific things that you do to condition your body? Describe your routine and diet.

MZ: I start with general conditioning three times a week, working on the major muscle groups to prep the body for power training. Then, I start working with more heavy weights and combining these exercises with plyometrics. After 6 weeks of this trainning, I start lowering the weights and I begin focusing more in explosive training, using elastic bands, medicine balls, and so on, as well as doing circuit training of plyometrics combined with power training to develope endurance for filming. 

When you're filming a martial arts movie, sometime you need to be fighting for ten hours and be able to jump and explode and put all of your energy in, so good training is really, really important. 

My diet consist mainly of tuna fish, pasta, rice, broccoli, egg whites, plenty of greens, almonds and honey. In the morning, I have a big fruit salad and I prepare my snacks so I can eat approximately every three hours.

FCSyndicate: Ten hours sounds like a lot! [laughs] You also mentioned working with Andy Cheng to perform stunts on The Rundown. How was that experience for you prior to stepping into acting? And what inspired you to become a more intergral performer as a male lead on film?

MZ: Andy is the man! Working with him was really amazing for me as I made an effort to learn as much as I could, and he is really clear on how to push limits and make you do stunts that you never knew you could do. That experience and all those memories therin will stay with me as some of the best moments of my career. Andy's a good man and I truly admire him as a person.  

That experience gave me the opportunity I needed to apply everything that I learned on the set of The Rundown in Chile. After the movie was released, I went back to produce Kiltro and take on a totally new challenge of making just the kind of action and martial arts movie in a country where this sort of thing did not exist, and it was a nice process. We first hosted a big audition to select our team and then began a six-month training program to teach how to apply martial arts choreography and performance on camera. That challenge in and of itself was also motivational for me.

FCSyndicate: I'm glad you brought Kiltro into the conversation because as it turns out, you have now done four movies with director Ernesto Diaz Espinoza, and you both are a great working pair for the types of films you do. What was it like working with Espinoza that first time? Did you guys know each other prior to Kiltro?

MZ: Yes, we were friends since high school. He was into film and always playing with a camera and making home movies. At one point, we were given an English class assignment to make a video in English and what happened was that we teamed up and made a martial arts movie. We got an A for it! [laughs] 

Ernesto and I have been friends for a long time. He moved to the U.S. when I was there working to work in the industry, and after spending time in Los Angeles, we ended up coming back to Chile to produce Kiltro. And we haven't stopped since!

FCSynidicate: Clearly there's no stopping. [laughs] You two have a good thing going, and you have now continued with your latest film, Redeemer, which I had the opportunity to screen and review last year, and thank you again for the opportunity. Your role in this film is definitely another entry into the "vigilante genre" next to a few other similar characters you've played before. Here, your character, Pardo, makes a deal with God that allows you to hunt down and kill the people you used to work for. What was it like for you to immerse yourself in this particular role?

MZ: It was fun! This is our first movie where I play a character who is so trapped in darkness and delirium. I think MirageMan was also a similarly troubled character, but I think my character in Redeemer goes a little further in that direction. What I liked about it, however, is that we see Pardo trying to free himself of this self-inflicted ritual and set of beliefs to essentially find the redemption and meaning he wants so badly.

FCSynidicate: The film also contains some great key fight sequences, especially one-on-one action scenes and your finale with Mósca was a treat to watch as well. Were there any specific challenges that you faced in designing the action?

MZ: The main challenge for the final fight between myself and  Mosca fight was the location. There was plenty of wind, it really cold and the floor was hard as rock, and it was really hard to stay warm during the fight. It took us four-and-a-half days to film that fight due to the scene's intensity and also for the lighting. 

I wanted the fights in this movie to be more realistic and raw, but without losing their sense of style. After working with Larnell and Isaac in Undisputed 3 several years ago, I tried to incorporate that experience on this movie, and after seeing the result, I'm really happy to see such a big difference made from previous work with Ernesto.

FCSyndicate: And you mentioned training with Mosca earlier on before your career florished in Los Angeles. How would you describe your friendship and comradery with Mosca, on top of working together on this movie?

MZ: When I arrived to Mexico, Mosca invited me to train at his gym. He is from Chile but he's been in Mexico for more than 20 years. He is a martial artist and actor whose work spans between television and movies in Mexico's entertainment industry that have work in television and he was the one that gave me my first opportunity to be in a movie when I was 19. We became good friends ever since, and stayed as such even after I left to the U.S., and we always stayed in touch in the hopes that we would one day film a movie togheter. Redeemer finally gave us that opportunity.

FCSyndicate: I have to say, you are among several major stars today who have unlocked a significant chapter in the world of fight choreography, with the evolution of tricking and gymnastics and showcasing such versatility in making it so screen-friendly as you have done in your movies. Now, I know you don't want to let the cat completely out of the bag, but I do want to ask is, do you feel that the state of martial arts choreography has reached its fullest potential in 2015? Or do you feel like there is another level of achievement waiting to be exposed?

MZ: Yes! Speaking first for myself, I believe that due to the conditions of how we make movies here in Chile with regard to really low budgets, I feel that there is much more we could do if we had the same resources used by other productions. After seeing Redeemer, I'm absolutely happy with the result, but I also know that with more money, the action, choreography, execution and overall performance can reach an even higher level, especially when there's time, more props, stunt rehearsals, etc. But at the end of the day, it's really all about doing your best and expressing your self with what you have. And I do feel that you can see the evolution in Redeemer along with with my other movies. 

With regard to the industry, yes, especially with all the new and young talent there is there, kids training like athletes with access to the whole world to learn from the best, and I believe there won't be an end to this trend. Remember, I was raised from a generation that had neither YouTube nor internet. I still remember finding Bruce Lee VHS tapes at the old video stores in town.

FCSyndicate: I come from that same generation as well, so I admire that answer very much.

You have Redeemer coming out next month and you also mentioned filming The Green Ghost with director Michael D. Olmos. Aside from playing the villain and without giving too much away, what can fans expect from that particular film?

MZ: We had an incredible time in Texas, and it was a great opportunity to work as a martial arts choreographer with really talented people and good friends!  You guys will see plenty of fighting and a really fun movie. I can't really say much, but I really hope the production will start releasing more info so we can talk again!

FCSyndiate: Same here Marko! I'm also aware that you will be starring in an upcoming project based on Nicholas Rodriguez's creation of Zambo Dende - yet another vigilante role! What was that experience for you like while in Bogota, Colombia with the team?

MZ: Thats was the best!!! I really love ZAMBO DENDE, and working and seeing the sights in Bogota was amazing! The people were genuinely nice and the production was really on another level, and working again with Larnell was great. We took it to the extreme while filming and was a really intense shoot while fighting with Michelle, Tait, Esteban and Darren. It was an awesome challenge for us and I'm really looking forward for that project so I can go back to Colombia become ZAMBO DENDE for a much grander-scale project. 

This is a character that really makes my career something special, everything from the message of ZAMBO, his fight against oppression and the inherent history behind this epic source material is what makes this project so powerful.

FCSyndicate: I absolutely agree. I love the story and the set up, and from what I've heard, if the right people would come aboard this project, Zambo Dende could truly become a cinematic superhero feat with franchise potential, especially internationally. Plus, with the posters I have seeng, you and the cast appear to be doing it justice. What is your most fondest memory from working with this cast? What were the rehearsal and training days like?

MZ: It was fun! The first rehearsal was in L.A. at 87Eleven so that was really cool. We did three ten-hour days to work on pre-viz before arriving to Colombia. Once there, the van picked us up and took us to the gym, and then after the rehearsals we stayed, worked out for an hour and all of us went out for walk around town. Two locals helped us around too, Samara and Juan! They were really nice and took good care of us. I really miss Colombia! 

What really surprised me was how nice and passionate everyone was about this project. We had fun and it was very delightfuln and Nicolas is the producer and creator of ZAMBO. He really transmitted his passion for the project to everyone around. I love his energy!

FCSyndicate: The Zambo Dende campaign page on Facebook also paid a special tribute to your late co-star, Darren Shahlavi earlier this year, and I think it is safe to say he left quite a lasting impression on us all with such a stellar career to look back on, including this one you both did together. If you would be willing, share with us your experience with him while working on this project.

MZ: Darren was an incredible martial artist as well as an amazing person. We did spend a good amount of time talking after the day was over, discussing work, philosophy, life, etc. We shared great levity between us. He was a good friend, and we had a great time working together, and those memories will always stay with me.

FCSyndicate: One other question I've wanted to ask pertains to the possibility of working with Scott Adkins again after Undispited 3: Redemption - the best of all three by far with a fourth on the way. Are you and Scott in touch? And can we expect to see you guys throwing down again soon in another film maybe?

MZ: Yes, we talk sometimes. It would be great to fight again in another movie, and I hope the fourth film does great for Scott.

FCSyndicate: Me too, and on both ends! I think your face-to-face reunion with him in Texas back in 2013 was one of the most exciting moments ever snapped on camera! [laughs]..Looking ahead, now that you've wrapped The Green Ghost and the verdict awaits for Zambo Dende, what is next for Marko Zaror?

MZ: I'm working on a new project called Torus 64 which is currently in development and there are no shooting dates or names set just yet. It's really a  personal project of mine and I can't speak too much about it at this time, but I will keep you posted as soon as I have more news to share. For now though, I'm just training and getting ready for whatever is next!

FCSyndicate: Torus 64 already sounds awesome! I have just a few more questions, and this next one pertains to what you said earlier about the industry in places like Mexico and Chilé. Given what you know, your experience on Redeemer and in your honest opinion, how closer are the film industries in Chilè and Mexico to having more resources? How would you rate the current state of industrial progress in those terriories today?

MZ: There's not really an industry in Chilé, per se. We are a small country and there are really small chances on making a movie that can do good business to keep it going. That's why we try and make movies that can appeal to audiences beyond our borders and be distributed around the world. 

In terms of production, Chile is a great place to shoot. You have different landscapes to make any type of movies you want, from deserts and oceans to mountains,  everything within only a two-hour drive, and I think we're starting to see that message get across with more people looking to film here, little by little. Nicolas Lopez is a producer and filmmaker who's been teaming up with Eli Roth and they have been doing a really good job on making films with a good budgets that can appeal to markets overseas, but we still need more. We really only ever see ONE film like this per year. It forces people to have to find different jobs because they can't fully commit to a career in this business as much as they would love to. 

Mexico has a bit more of a leg up in film production than Chilé and they do have a somewhat bigger industry, but nowhere near the level of what you can see in the U.S.. They have really good tax incentives like those in Colombia who are also coming up, and I think Chilé could use this kind of momentum to really have the chance to grow a lucrative industry here so people can pay their bills and build their livelihoods through film.

FCSyndicate: I think that's one of the most informed answers I've learned about the film industry at large, particuarly when it comes to action. There is truly a resounding will among people that ressonates and there just needs to be a WAY to do achieve it.

What advice can you offer to people looking to get into martial arts on film, stunts and acting?

MZ: Just do it! Get a camera and go play! I believe that it's all about passion first and foremost. Start small, make good videos and use the internet to your advantage, build your audience as you continue to improve your craft. And also, you have to dream - Not just dream for the sake of dreaming, but dream every step of the way and enjoy that thing that  you can do every day to make that dream come true.

FCSyndicate: One last question which I thought was a fun one to come up with for the fans: You're in a room locked in the heat of battle with four of your movie characters - MirageMan, Zami from Kiltro, Dolor from Undisputed 3 and Pardo from Redeemer. Who would win in a fight with Marko Zaror?

MZ: Marko Zaror! [laughs] I know all their weaknesses points!

FCSyndicate: [laughs] Excellent answer! Marko, I have to say, I know you're one of the most busiest people in the industry today, and busy is an excellent thing. You were especially busy many years back when you were in New York City promotng Kiltro, and I'm not sure which event it was (think it was New York Comic-Con). Anyway, I regret not having the opportunity to meet you then, but I am especially glad to share a dialogue with you about your career and where you are going in the world of movies. Thank you so much for your time for this interview and your words of wisdom and some of your stories, and I really hope to share another chat with you in good time. You and your family have my best wishes for all of 2015 and from here on out. Good luck amigo!

MZ: Great!! Thanks for all the support my friend! Stay in touch, I will keep you posted! Take care!

There are a few titles out there that still need updates, and those might not get around for a while as some of these things take time. As for now, Redeemer is just days away from its limited theatrical and digital release on June 12 from Dark Sky Films. And by all means, for tutorials and all things Marko Zaror-related, follow him on Youtube!

*For more essential info on the recent events pertaining to the late Darren Shahlavi, click here.

SKIN TRADE Co-Star, Actress Tasya Teles Talks To Film Combat Syndicate

Director Ekachai Uekrongtham's latest internation action thriller, Skin Trade had its big premiere last week shortly before releasing theatrically in the U.S.. Sure, many will immediately see it as a welcoming accomplishment for one of its two lead actors, action star Tony Jaa in his second career outing this year, but the film also sheds light on a very important subject matter, and it's one that actress Tasya Teles (picture credit: Bellaphoto) took note of before staking her claim in the film next to lead actor Dolph Lundgren as his on screen wife. This week, Teles takes to Film Combat Syndicate to briefly share her story, her career, her experience on set with the cast and crew and much more.

FCSyndicate: Thank you for sharing your time with Film Combat Syndicate. How are you doing this year?

Tasya Teles: I’m feeling great! Enjoying the sunshine, hiking with my mom’s dog, even drinking healthy green juice...trying to do good things!

FCSyndicate: For those of us who are new to you, tell us about yourself! How long have you been acting?

TT: Like many in the field, I got the acting bug as a child but I committed to the industry at a professional level only about 4 and a half years ago. I can’t believe it’s been that long already – so much has happened! I feel that I’ve learned so much and become really immersed in acting.

FCSyndicate: And what inspired you to get into the field?

TT: In university I majored in finance, but then I took a couple of acting courses and my world changed. I immediately knew that I couldn’t ignore my love for storytelling. The universe supported my choice. The stock market crashed, and I said to myself: It’s time to do what I love. 

FCSyndicate: What are some of your favorite films to this day?

TT: Great question! There’s certainly quite a few. Definitely The Princess Bride! Aside from the fact that Inigo Montoya (Mandy Patinkin) looks like my father, it’s an amazing classic storybook tale with hilarious characters and a rich imaginary land. Then there’s Forrest Gump, Pulp Fiction, Fight Club, Goodfellas, 300, Snatch, Schindler’s List and The Last Samurai; Among the more current films, I would include The Departed, The Grand Budapest Hotel, Birdman, Shutter Island...I could go on.

FCSyndicate: Are there specific roles you try to pursue that fit you best as an actress? Or do you audition for whatever roles come your way that help stretch your muscles a bit?

TT: While I was born in Toronto Canada, I’m half Ukrainian and half Brazilian. Given the two cultural roots which were strong in my home, I find it quite easy to connect with very different types of characters; the warm, nurturing, free loving ones which remind me of the energy at the beaches in Rio, as well as the generous joking but resilient Slavic characters, who survived tough winters and political strife in Eastern Europe. Overall, I like ass-kicking characters the best, and am now training in martial arts to develop those skills. Wish me luck!

FCSyndicate: I certainly do, which brings me to my next inquiry - Skin Trade is out this month and you had a small role in it as the wife of actor Dolph Lundgren. How did you become part of this production?

TT: It was Christmas and I was heading to Thailand for a holiday after a year of hard work. I needed a break. As far as I was concerned, I was done for the year; my vacation was starting! But, the universe had different plans for me I guess. My agent called telling me about the ‘perfect role’, and insisted I have a quick look. When I saw that it was written on the topic of Human Trafficking, I was immediately hooked. 

Human Trafficking is a subject that I have cared about and been involved with for years, even before I was acting. I have been developing my own organization, called the Unslaved (theUnslaved.com), which sells simple, high-quality bracelets to make money to build alternative opportunities such as schools and training programs to help human traffic victims and end modern slavery. As it was I was finally going to Thailand to visit an organization, COSA, that prevents Human Trafficking along the Thai borders, and it was tough for me to abandon that plan. However, after reading the script, and meeting with the producers and Ekachai, I just had a gut feeling that this role was made for me.   

I didn’t make it to COSA that year, as I was shooting in Bangkok, however I had the opportunity to bring light to human trafficking in a much more powerful way. The whole thing was very serendipitous, and a very special experience.

FCSyndicate: As many of us know, this film was also a personally important one for your on-screen husband, Lundgren, as a means of shedding light on the issue of human trafficking, as you so state. What were your thoughts on this when you learned about this film and what Lundgren wanted to accomplish on top of making such a thrilling feature with Ekachai Uekrongtham at the helm?

TT: The story is great - I think it is the main reason I decided to go in and talk with Ekachai and the producers. Naturally, the idea of working alongside some of the cast members was an exciting prospect, and I applaud Dolph for bringing attention to an issue that people aren’t comfortable discussing. Skin Trade goes into the dark world of human trafficking, and so the film needed a director that could bring a flare of warmth and artistry to the film, and provide some balance. Ekachai was able to do that, and infuse a bit of Thai humor as well as filmic authenticity to the whole production.  

FCSyndicate: Chloe Babcook plays your daughter, Sofia, in the film. What was she like to work with?

TT: Chloe was hilarious. Silly would be a word that best describes Chloe! We had a lot of laughs on set together, and she’s an amazing actress. During her monologue with Dolph I would be so engaged, I’d sometimes almost miss my cue. I still see her often. She’ll introduce me as her mom, and I’ll pretend to get mad at her for coming home late. One day it’ll get old, but we still have a lot of fun when we see each other.  

FCSyndicate: Some folks have already seen my review and the film was available on-demand before it's theatrical release. Have you seen it yet? 

TT: Yes! Chloe and I both saw it, and then I saw it again recently at the premier. There were a lot of stunt gags that all of us were dying to see after post. It is always exciting see how everything comes together at the end of the day. This project really blew my mind. It’s difficult to talk about these fight scenes without giving anything away. But they really did a fantastic job on the movie. I guess you’ll have to watch it yourselves to see! ;-)

FCSyndicate: Is there anyone among the cast you haven't met who you would like share some screentime with in the not too distant future?

TT: If Ron Perlman comes knocking at my door with a movie offer, I ain’t sayin’ no!  You can count on that!

FCSyndicate: What can fans expect from Skin Trade if they haven't seen it yet?

TT: A lens into a dangerous world that otherwise only exists in shadows, and behind closed doors. A couple twists and turns to keep you on your toes, some humor, some sexiness, romance... Oh yeah, and I think there may be one or two action scenes in there as well. ;)

FCSyndicate: That's funny! And speaking of which, given that I run an action movie site, I think fans might be interested to know if are there any upcoming roles in the works?

TT: Yes! I have two big projects that are in discussion right now, keep your fingers crossed! Otherwise I am working on a disturbing Sci-Fi project called ‘Ethix’ this summer, and you can always catch me on CW’s The 100, as the badass grounder Echo, kicking some butt!

FCSyndicate: Will you be going toe-to-toe with Lundgren or Tony Jaa or Michael Jai White anytime soon?

TT: [laughs] Yes, I told Tony Jaa that he better teach me some moves next time I see him, or I’ll hunt him down and karate chop him. I said it with a very mean voice and wild eyes, but he didn’t seem too threatened. Dolph and I are staying in radio contact via email as we both have various productions coming up soon, hopefully we’ll be working together in the future on Skin Trade 2. You never know!

FCSyndicate: In parting, is there anyone you would like to shout out or lend a special thanks to?

Picture credit: Bellaphoto

TT: Definitely! I am so grateful to be a part of this project. Dolph, Craig Baumgarten and the entire production team deserve a shout out for putting this story in motion. On set though, I would like to thank Ben Nott, our cinematographer, for being so on point, and Mike Dopud for teaching me how to stay calm in the middle of an on-set fire bomb.

I have to say, after seeing Skin Trade myself, I would love a sequel as it would only seem fitting. I won't give anything away here as I rather prefer you devoted fans out there go and see it for yourself where it's available in theaters or on-demand. Otherwise, if you haven't read my review, feel free to click here and have at it. Beyond this, I look forward to what actress Tasya Teles has to offer to T.V. viewers and whatever plans she hopes to partake in for the big screen when it comes to action. Female-driven films of this genre are always welcome, and on that note, I sincerely hope to get to report something about it all in due time.

Visit TheUnslaved.com for more info on her endeavors in combatting human trafficking. While you're at it, Skin Trade is now available on VOD and Digital HD, as well as in theaters, so get your tickets and check it out on the big screen while you can!

Special thanks to Agatha Gozdur for playing an intergral role in making this interview possible!

GETTING REEL IN MALAYSIA: An Interview With AYEZ SHAUKAT FONSEKA

The Hit List a weekly article I run on Mondays listing all of the various test fights and shortfilms I spot online for the previous week, is a feature on my blog that has done a great service to my own continued discovery of online action - something I became fascinated by close to ten years ago. It's often intriguing what you find online as you never really know what is happening beyond your own borders unless you look, which is what I do a lot of these days because of the vast amount of talent that has spawned throught the online netizenry of up-and-coming filmmakers.

Actor, martial artist, stuntman, fight choreographer and stunt coordinator Ayez Shaukat Fonseka is one of those inspired artists I speak of whose channel I bumped into a few weeks ago prior to sharing one of its recent action shorts, Kejar (Chase), and as it turns out, his work has already taken shape in Malaysia's mainstream film industry, just two years after starting his own online action and stunt film company, Laksamana Stunt Team. Now with a lucrative career working under the likes of prominent film producer Major David Teo over at Metroweath (MIG) while partnering at Malaysia's own mixed-martial arts facility, Harry Gym Warrior, Fonseca's prospects are continually increasing, and with any luck, he'll be able to spread his wings much more with possibilities beyond borders, and hopefully it happens.

The action film scene is boundless with talent around the world, and among other territories, I have always been a little bit curious about Malaysia's own standing as I've promoted plenty of Malaysian movie trailers before. So you can imagine how fruitful it is to be able to get a lead-in with one of its own, especially with Fonseca building on the momentum of his current successes. He's someone who's got plenty of potential and time on his side, and after this, I certainly hope the rest of the world takes notice.

Film Combat Syndicate: Greetings Ayez and thanks for taking the time to chat with me. Tell us about yourself!

Ayez Shaukat Fonseka: Hi there! I should be the one with gratitude for having me over for this chat. My name is Ayez Shaukat Fonseka, and I am a full time action director, choreographer, stunt coordinator and action actor in the Malaysian mainstream and indie action film industry. I've been doing this since 2006 and I'm pretty established as a choreographer and action director here. But also, I'd like to go one step further and start establishing my name internationally.

FCSyndicate: What inspired you to start making movies?

ASF: I have always been a story teller. I have loved writing stories all of the time even when I was a kid. Up until high school, I had never let anyone read my work because I was so self-concious, but that all changed when my teachers, Miss Shima and Mrs Suriani told me I had talent. So, I started writing screenplays when I was in high school as a hobby, upon later realizing that it was high time to try and visualize them and turn them into movies. I rounded up my best friend, Zul, who has always supported me, and together we shot our very first trailer. We've shot a lot of short films since, and quite a bunch got discovered. Some were screened at festivals and others had gone viral, and so as a result, here I am.

FCSyndicate: Who are some of your favorite film stars and filmmakers to date?

ASF: My favorite actor, hands down, is Denzel Wanshington. He puts in so much life into his characters, and not to forget that he is a total badass when it comes to action sequences! He really has that "You don't want to mess with me" aura that lingers around him. Action wise, Jackie Chan inspires me a lot. And not only is he a great screen fighter, but he also does crazy stunts on his own. His heart, determination and skills definitely make him a legend up there. Others that have my attention are people like Jason Statham for his tough and rugged style, Keanu Reeves who has definitely proven that he is not just a pretty boy, Tony Jaa for blessing the industry with his groundbreaking stunt and fighting action, Yayan Ruhian for his unforgettable cool roles in all the movies he has appeared in, Hong Kong stars Donnie Yen and Sammo Hung, and definitely Bruce Lee for introducing modern screen fighting. Moreover, Scott Adkins who I feel should be given more roles with depth in better movies, oh, and Mel Gibson too. He is a different kind of action star 

For filmmakers, I am a huge fan of indie action, people like the folks at Thousand Pounds Action Company and Movie-Do for their amazing choreography, performance, visuals and cinematography for example. I've always been a huge fan of the raw fast cuts style you see in Hollywood movies, and the Hong Kong Style fight cinematography, but these dudes, they introduce this whole new way to present a fight sequence and I would love to work with them sometime. 

As for commercial filmmakers, there's just too many for me to mention, but if I have to throw a name out there, I'd say I'm a HUGE fan of Gareth Evans of Merantau/Raid/Berandal fame.

FCSyndicate: You said you're pretty established in your field. If you could throw us a few titles worth looking into, what are some you could recommend for action fans? And who are some directors worth keeping

ASF: I have been doing professional stunts since I was 18 years old, which was almost 9 years back in 2006. I've been a stuntman and body double for many feature films here, but only started in choreography and stunt coordinating about 4 years back and the started action directing two years later. Now, I am a fully-fledged licensed director, who is often called upon to direct action sequences here for films and series projects, and recently signed as director for one of the biggest production companies in Malaysia, Metrowealth (better known as MIG) by film Tycoon, Major David Teo. Two upcoming film projects that I've action directed so far that I think will be enjoyable for action fans are Juvana 2 and Juvana 3 (Juvenile 2 and Juvenile 3) produced by Filmscape, as well as 7 Dimensi Aliff (Aliff and the 7 Dimensions) produced by Astro Shaw. 

For both films, I worked together with legendary Singapore-Malaysia director, Faisal Ishak (who had also recently directed an MMA series in Singapore). For Juvana 2 and Juvana 3, I instilled plenty of raw and brutal fighting, but for 7 Dimensi Aliff, there are plenty of CG'd fights which will be groundbreaking to the Malaysian film industry. 

As for local directors to look out for when it comes to the action genre, I'd say they are Faisal Ishak, the Yusof Brothers (Shamsul and Syafiq) and most definitely, me.

FCSyndicate: Tell us more about the Juvana franchise and its story. It used to be a TV series right?

ASF: Juvana started off as a TV series in 2011, directed by Faisal Ishak. It is about a young boy named Daim who was wrongly accused of murder, and was sent into a juvenile detention center. There, he befriends some of the boys and also faces adversity with the bullies among them - a great drama that invokes reality and illustrates how tough it could be to survive such a facility. The series became popular and eventually garnered status an award-winning phenomenon locally, and in 2013, Juvana the Movie was released. The reception was so great that the director and production decided to make it into a trilogy, and having not been involved in the first installment, this is where I was roped in by the director and producers to direct the stunts and action for the remaining two films, in addition to playing one of the main villains.

FCSyndicate: Juvana sounds like a real interesting franchise and I took a look at a trailer for the first one, actually. Can you tell us a bit more about the stars of this franchise and the role you are now playing in terms of the training involved and designing the action sequences?

ASF: The stars of the franchise are Johan Asari who plays Botak, Zahiril Azim who plays Daim, Adam Shah who plays Ayam, as well as Nad Zainal who plays the daughter of a mob boss. These stars are among the most popular young actors in the industry today, and I had the pleasure to train each and every one of them for this particular movie. During pre-production, I was first handed the scripts of both Juvana 2 and Juvana 3. I dissected the scripts and made my own action breakdown, taking out all of the action sequences and designing them together with the director. The both of us worked very closely to design each sequences, and he would brief me about the goals and the story to be told behind each action sequence as my job is to make it happen, to make the fights look real good and appealing - Really, my main goal was to top the action sequences from the first film. After I designed the sequences, we started training with the stars. Only a handful were able to carry out my choreography convincingly while others struggled, but it was my duty to make them look as good as possible.

Laksamana Stunt Team member Riki Rikando and founder Ayez Fonseka with Juvana director Faisal Ishak in the center

FCSyndicate: Will the choreography be stylized in any way? Or is it more geared toward brute force and close quarters like some other movies (like the Equalizer for example)?

ASF: What I like the most about working with Faisal Ishak is that he knows what he wants and that makes it a lot easier for me to design a sequence based on his needs. He knows how to make an action sequence visually interesting, and how to differentiate each of the fight scenes in the movie. For example, there is a scene he wants it to be shot in silhouette. This means that I have to design a sequence that will look good on silhouette by utilizing the space and giving bigger movements. One of the scenes was shot on high speed, which means I have to give movements that will look good in slow-mo. As for the physical style, Juvana is set to be as realistic as possible, so it is mainly gritty, brutal and realistic street fighting, with exception to my character, Shah, Nabila played by Nad Zainal and Karrel played by Chee Hong, these characters are heavily martial arts influenced. Shah wields a kerambit and fights in the lian padukan style of Silat, Karrel is a karate/kung fu expert, and Nabila has a more superheroic style ala The Black Widow in the Avengers.

FCSyndicate: That sounds tremendously wicked Ayez! So what's the status of the production on Juvana 2?

ASF: Juvana 2 is set to be released in Malaysian cinemas October 2015, and we can expect for Juvana 3 to be released next year.

FCSyndicate: That's good news to hear. I do have one other inquiry with regards to the release of Malaysian flicks. There are other films in different foreign countries that get publicity beyond their own territories and I've caught on to quite a few titles myself in the last few years since I began my blog. I think that a lot of action film titles from Malaysia would have some appeal to audiences overseas if they were better known. Do you feel that Malaysian action movies are getting enough attention outside your country? And if not, then what could be done to help accomplish that?

ASF: Honestly I feel that Malaysian films don't get enough attention internationally. I can't really put my finger on it as to why, and even if we make it internationally, it is usually within the South East Asia region. Perhaps we need to be more brave, like approaching international distributors and learn the ropes of international film marketing.

FCSyndicate: Is there a brewing interest among filmmakers amd studios to take their films to international markets these days? And when do you think that day will come?

ASF: There certainly is interest, and there are certain studios who have successfully done so. After all, who doesn't want their films to be released internationally too, right? I, for one, would love it if one of my indies or short films would make it to international festivals, and that is certainly an aim that I've set this year. And I dare say that it is not impossible. Whether we start big or small, we always have to start from somewhere.

Laksamana Stunt Team founder Fonseka with designers Juliana Evans and Kaka Azraff

FCSyndicate: Speaking of your indie projects and seeing as how I discovered you for myself on YouTube, are there any concepts you have in store for more content your channel? And can you offer any information about what you might be developing in feature-length territory, if anything?

ASF: I have actually planned out a whole lot of stuff to be shot and shared on my channel, but unfortunately due to work commitments in the film industry, I have not been able to find time to do so, and this can be pretty upsetting. I need my "release" once in a while, to shoot something that I have total control of, and to share with my subscribers. It is a joy for me, a passion and most definitely something that makes me feel... fulfilled. 

As I mentioned earlier, I'm signed by Metrowealth (MIG) under Major David Teo, an extremely well known film producer and tycoon in Malaysia as a director for the company, so I have a few action projects that I just cannot wait to shoot with the company. I dare to make a bold statement, one that will make a change and leave an impact on the local film industry, action-wise, together with MIG. I have a great company backing me, an awesome team, and all the facilities that any filmmaker would die for, so there is no excuse for me to not do my best. So sit tight! There will be a few action-packed and martial arts feature-length projects coming from us.

FCSyndicate: Are there any folks you look forward to working with internationally?

ASF: Most definitely, I would love to work with Gareth Evans. Definitely Gareth Evans, ever since I watched Merantau. And, I would love to work with other sensational indie action groups like Thousand Pounds Action Company and Movie-Do!

FCSyndicate: I think that would be awesome if you got to work with him and I certainly hope it happens. So tell me, we're in the second month of 2015, and I'm curious. What films are you yourself hoping to catch this year?

ASF: This year, I am looking forward to Furious 7, Mad Max, Terminator Genisys, Mission Impossible 5, The Transporter Legacy, Dragon Blade, Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon: The Green Legend, and The Kickboxer. I am pretty sure there are many more, but these are among the titles that are on the top of my head right now.

FCSyndicate: Same here. I look forward to new titles myself! Are there any last words you would like to share with our readers before we wrap up our interview?

ASF: I'll definitely let you know once I have action projects that begins to develop! 

Thank you so much for having this chat with me, and to other indie action filmmakers out there: If you want to come over to Malaysia, I have the keys to the industry. Give me a buzz! Who knows what possibilities may come?! Regards and best wishes to all!

Loud and clear Ayez, and thank you for sharing your continuing story with Film Combat Syndicate. You're on my radar now!