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!

MJW: Scripts Done For 'Dynamite' & 'Bone' Sequels, Jaa And Jeeja To Appear In 'Never Back Down 3'

If you're looking forward to catching martial arts action star, actor Michael Jai White back in his big screen element, you needn't look further than the upcoming release of the new international action thriller, Skin Trade which arrives this weekend in theaters from Magnet Releasing. White has been busy on a promotional tour for the film as of late, and in some instances, including appearances with fellow action star Tony Jaa as the latter has since crossed over into Hollywood and other markets.

Not much had been known up until now if whether or not fans will see the two back in action together on screen, which is still an exciting thing to note considering the action they perform together is so exquisitely well done as one of the biggest highlights of the film, on top of their chemistry within the last few years as the two met up in Atlanta, Georgia where Jaa was filming Furious Seven. In the meantime, White is hitting the presses to promote Skin Trade with quite a few other blurbs, and primarily with acknowledgement toward fans' expectations and hopes pertaining to previous film hits, namely the Black Dynamite, Blood And Bone and his 2011 directorial debut, Never Back Down 2: The Beatdown.

Alas, the folks over at Nuke The Fridge got the updates and more in their own Q&A with a nod to the aforementioned titles beginning with talk of a Black Dynamite sequel, from which the first centered on White's 70's blaxploitation-era caricature as he takes on a criminal conspiracy leading all the way to the White House. In summation, White states that the live-action sequel's script is complete and also reaffirms its 1970's setting via western as previously discussed in the years since while no other details are offered.

The second inquiry went into the prospects of a sequel to the 2009 martial arts thriller, Blood And Bone. The first movie saw White in the role of an ex-con who infiltrates a criminal organization through its underground fight circuit to fulfill a friend's dying wish. Writer Ben Ramsey had also been pushing for a sequel as well, as the film's popularity has risen thanks in large part to subscription video, and there have even been mentions of crowdfunding it, and as a result, talks of a sequel have only been consistently building among the niche. In part, White stated to NTF that he was "fairly certain" that a sequel would be on the way because of this, and also gave a bit more insight as to what the film would entail in terms of presenting its protagonist apart from his "undercover" role in the first. "In Blood and Bone he was undercover." he said. "You didn’t quite know what his plan was and it was kind of a mystery until it unfolded. I believe the action will be far better in the sequel."

Aside from what White says, it's fair to add that it's going to take more than White's voice to seal the deal. It's been quite a journey for fans waiting to see what would come of this particular franchise, so for lack of a better way to put it, it's all pretty much wait-and-see at this point.

With regard to Never Back Down 3, White teased this a bit last August when posting a photo with actor Djimon Hounsou who lended a supporting role to the 2008 film alongside lead actor Sean Faris. The 2011 sequel, saw the portrayal of White as an ex-con long since established as an MMA trainer to a group of young boys as two within the group prepare to face each other off in the titular underground MMA contest. As for the title he teased back then, that may be a different story, but the best news so far from this is that White did, in fact, confirm he would return to direct as well as star, to which he added some more thoughts about how his character would progress.

"By the end of the second movie, you see that my character has gotten an invitation to get back into the ring and to compete for the MMA crown.", he tells us. "So this is that character embarking on that challenge."

White states he will be leaving for Thailand in three weeks, and also offered quite a tasty morsel on casting, stating in part, "...We’ve got some of the top ones but the ink’s not dry yet. Tony Jaa’s going to make an appearance and also Jeeja [Yanin] is going to be in it. Also I’ll be joined by Josh Barnett who is the most celebrated heavyweight MMA champion ever. There’ll be some fights between Josh and I."

So there you have it. Three titles, all of which are cult favorites in their own right are on their way with further information needed to confirm. White's perpetual movement on these fronts has been a great thing for fans while it still takes a great bit of time for movies to get a green light. Things are tough for the industry, indeed, although support from the fanbase is always appreciated as much as it is a needed factor in the equation.

White is also poised to appear with actor "Stone Cold" Steve Austin in the upcoming thriller, Echo Effect later this year, with other titles forthcoming or otherwise developing. In the meantime, Skin Trade arrives this Friday!

Dolph Lundrgren Talks SKIN TRADE In A New Featurette

Director Ekachai Uekrongtham's latest film, Skin Trade is still on deck for an iTunes release next week before its theatrical release on May 8, and a new featurette is now making the rounds which you can check out below. Certainly a show of action-heavy star power, the film is definitely one that guarantees its fair share of fight action for martial arts fanboys who follow actor and producer Dolph Lundgren, and fellow action star cohorts Michael Jai White, and Tony Jaa in this, his second film of 2015 following his Hollywood debut in Furious Seven.

SYNOPSIS:

New Jersey detective, Nick Cassidy (Dolph Lundgren) heads to Bangkok where he teams up with Thai detective, Tony Vitayakui (Tony Jaa) to hunt down Viktor Dragovic (Ron Perlman) and destroy his human trafficking network. Nick had mistakenly killed Dragovic's son in a sting operation on the New Jersey docks, and Dragovic responded by attempting to kill Nick and his family. Nick miraculously survived the brutal attack, but his wife and daughter were killed. With nothing but vengeance to live for, Nick and Tony traverse their way through the Bangkok underworld in search of the elusive Dragovic. Meanwhile, FBI Agent Eddie Reed (Michael Jai White) is sent in to bring Nick home. But as the crossfire ensues, Nick has to determine who his true allies are.

Check out the featurette below, and click HERE to read my review in case you missed it.

Screener Review: SKIN TRADE (2015)

SYNOPSIS:

New Jersey detective, Nick Cassidy (Dolph Lundgren) heads to Bangkok where he teams up with Thai detective, Tony Vitayakui (Tony Jaa) to hunt down Viktor Dragovic (Ron Perlman) and destroy his human trafficking network. Nick had mistakenly killed Dragovic's son in a sting operation on the New Jersey docks, and Dragovic responded by attempting to kill Nick and his family. Nick miraculously survived the brutal attack, but his wife and daughter were killed. With nothing but vengeance to live for, Nick and Tony traverse their way through the Bangkok underworld in search of the elusive Dragovic. Meanwhile, FBI Agent Eddie Reed (Michael Jai White) is sent in to bring Nick home. But as the crossfire ensues, Nick has to determine who his true allies are.

REVIEW:

It's taken close to twelve years since first breaking out with the 2003 hit film, Ong Bak, followed by a string of movies that have highlighted action star, actor Tony Jaa's career in its first stages of evolution. Nowadays, he's found himself among a broader range of people and opportunities, one partly led by none other than fellow cinematic action hero, Dolph Lundgren as both take the international leap in director Ekachai Uekrongtham's action-packed crime thriller, Skin Trade, with a great cast and formula for storytelling that does contain some highs and lows, while otherwise still enjoyable from start to finish.

Lundgren and Jaa portray the respective roles of New Jersey detective Nick Cassidy and Thai detective Tony Vittakayul, unbeknownst to each other as both are on their own missions to take down Viktor Dragovic, a well-protected Serbian international crime boss whose family controls multiple pockets of their human trafficking crime ring. How protected is he? Well, eventually, Dragovic is caught and detained by the police until legal technicalities allow him to roam free once more...but not before retaliating  in blood.

Cassidy is ambushed and barely survives the firey attack on his home, and with his wife and daughter presumed dead, he goes rogue and armed to the teeth to find Dragovic once and for all. Eventually, Cassidy's own police force tracks down him in Thailand with the help of Vittakayul and his team, but the sting turns deadly real quick, forcing Vittakayul's hand as he chases Cassidy through the streets and alleyways of Bangkok. Little do they know, however, there is a red herring among them playing the two against each other, and both must work together to learn the truth while putting an end to Dragovic's business before more girls are sold and enslaved.

Lundgren reportedly spent seven years on the script for this film before production finally began in late 2013. Scribes Gabe Dowrick and Steven Elder also lended a hand in crafting this, one of Lundgren's more personal endeavors in film pertaining to the subject matter at hand, into a workable narrative for a noteworthy action movie for fans of the genre, and much as well to the favor of fans of fellow cast member Jaa and action star Michael Jai White.

Most of the movie is well acted, particularly with thesps like Peter Weller and Cary Tagawa, actress Tasya Teles and actor Mike Dopud who make the most out of what little time they have on screen, as well as actor Ron Perlman whose performance as the main villain of the film quite nicely. More to the point though, the film plays well to the experimental nature of having Lundgren and Jaa working together on the screen for the first time since becoming friends for as long as they have been so. As it stands, they work great together, but more importantly, in addition to his scenes with supporting actress and co-star Celina Jade in the role of girlfriend, Min, we also see Jaa's acting muscles much more fleshed out than in his earlier films. It takes some getting used to in the first act, but in the second and third, Jaa's chemistry with Lundgren, Jade and White becomes something much more credible in Jaa's upward mobility into other markets as an actor. As for Lundgren, for as long as he's been kicking butt on camera, he never ceases to be a step ahead of anyone during a foot chase. Lundgren is still the cinematic heavy-hitter for which he has made himself known, showing he has what it takes to lead a well-balanced film that entertains.

Several of the performances also become stronger well into the second-half including Jade's and Perlman's. Ultimately though, beyond his recent minimal Hollywood debut role in Furious Seven, Skin Trade presented ample opportunity for Jaa to stand out more than he was able to in his earlier career, and for this, it truly is Jaa's show. Both of Jaa's fights between Lundgren and White were solid, although fans will surely get much more of a kick out of seeing White and Jaa go toe to toe as well. The techniques are solid and the cinematography was excellent enough so as to SHOW the choreography and its execution making it a much more awesome experience, which is important for almost any action fan.

Skin Trade was my first foray into Uekrongtham's work while not having yet seen films like Beautiful Boxer (2004), Pleasure Factory (2007) or The Coffin (2008). Dowrick's and Elder's script does reveal some key plot points sooner than preferred which tends to upend some of the intensity this film was meant to have. Other than that, Uekrongtham does an adequate job in spearheading this latest effort with such a diverse cast and talented actors who've left a mark in action film history over the years, and while I maintain my vaguery on the film's plot points, I certainly hope Skin Trade, or perhaps further prospects for Lundgren, Jaa and White to work together again. And I'm sure action fans wouldn't mind that in the least.

Magnet Releasing will release Skin Trade in the U.S. for its digital and theatrical release on April 23 and May 8 respectively

Watch The Kick-Ass New Thai Trailer For SKIN TRADE!

Action star Tony Jaa's year has gotten off to an exciting start now that his debut Hollywood role in Furious 7 is circulating globally. It's just the first of three movies he will be appearing in this year so far with his second, director Ekachai Uekrongtham's international action thriller, Skin Trade, poised to release this month as well. That's two in one month, making it an awesome time to be a Jaa fan if there ever was.

The film is getting its day in the U.S., digitally and theatrically on April 23 and May 8, respectively. At the same time, Thailand is also getting its release this month as well, and for this, we now have a new trailer to share full of heavy-hitting action with Jaa, and fellow lead action stars Dolph Lundgren and Michael Jai White to name a few. Check it all out below and mark the dates as so stated!

SYNOPSIS:

New Jersey detective, Nick Cassidy (Dolph Lundgren) heads to Bangkok where he teams up with Thai detective, Tony Vitayakui (Tony Jaa) to hunt down Viktor Dragovic (Ron Perlman) and destroy his human trafficking network. Nick had inadvertently killed Dragovic's son in a sting operation on the New Jersey docks, and Dragovic responded by attempting to kill Nick and his family. Nick miraculously survived the brutal attack, but his wife and daughter were killed. With nothing but vengeance to live for, Nick and Tony traverse their way through the Bangkok underworld in search of the elusive Dragovic. Meanwhile, FBI Agent Eddie Reed (Michael Jai White) is sent in to bring Nick home. But as the crossfire ensues, Nick has to determine who his true allies are.

SKIN TRADE Brandishes An Official U.S. Poster

There have been a few posters floating around in the wake of the latest official trailer for Ekachai Uekrongtham's international action thriller, Skin Trade. The film is moreso introspective for lead actor Dolph Lundgren who also served as producer as the film itself touches on a subject he has publicly professed about within the media, and now the film itself is gearing up for a limited theatrical and VOD release of its own within the next three months.

As such, feel free to glance toward the end of the album beneath the trailer where you will find the first, second, and then third, official poster for the film courtesy of Uproxx. Skin Trade stars Lundgren alongside international action star Tony Jaa, with actress Celina Jade, and actors Ron Perlman, Michael Jai White, Peter Weller and Cary Tagawa also starring.

SYNOPSIS:

New Jersey detective, Nick Cassidy (Dolph Lundgren) heads to Bangkok where he teams up with Thai detective, Tony Vitayakui (Tony Jaa) to hunt down Viktor Dragovic (Ron Perlman) and destroy his human trafficking network. Nick had inadvertently killed Dragovic's son in a sting operation on the New Jersey docks, and Dragovic responded by attempting to kill Nick and his family. Nick miraculously survived the brutal attack, but his wife and daughter were killed. With nothing but vengeance to live for, Nick and Tony traverse their way through the Bangkok underworld in search of the elusive Dragovic. Meanwhile, FBI Agent Eddie Reed (Michael Jai White) is sent in to bring Nick home. But as the crossfire ensues, Nick has to determine who his true allies are.

Watch Lundgren And Jaa Spring Into Action In The U.S. Trailer For SKIN TRADE

I think the biggest thing that intrigues me about any trailer is what I don't see. That said, while there's plenty of compelling action with co-lead, international star Tony Jaa alongside towering powerhouse Dolph Lundgren, perhaps the one thing I'm looking forward to sampling is how well they pair on screen between lines, especially considering Jaa himself is now crossing over into other markets.

Other than that, Skin Trade makes the latest from director Ekachai Uekrongtham with an ensemble cast lining-up this seasoned cast of stars to hit th U.S. next month. Action fans will appreciate this, no doubt about it, and with thanks to Magnet Releasing no less. See the trailer from Yahoo just beneath the synopsis and take note of the iTunes/On-Demand and theatrical dates at the end!

SYNOPSIS:

New Jersey detective, Nick Cassidy (Dolph Lundgren) heads to Bangkok where he teams up with Thai detective, Tony Vitayakui (Tony Jaa) to hunt down Viktor Dragovic (Ron Perlman) and destroy his human trafficking network. Nick had inadvertently killed Dragovic's son in a sting operation on the New Jersey docks, and Dragovic responded by attempting to kill Nick and his family. Nick miraculously survived the brutal attack, but his wife and daughter were killed. With nothing but vengeance to live for, Nick and Tony traverse their way through the Bangkok underworld in search of the elusive Dragovic. Meanwhile, FBI Agent Eddie Reed (Michael Jai White) is sent in to bring Nick home. But as the crossfire ensues, Nick has to determine who his true allies are.

H/T: The Action Elite

[UPDATED] SKIN TRADE Gets New VOD, Premiere And Theatrical Release Dates

It won't be long before director Ekchai Uekrongtham's upcoming international thriller, Skin Trade, finally makes its way to theaters. Initially conceived by lead actor Dolph Lundgren, the film itself has since taken on a new identity through social media as production began at the top of last year courting action fans with the intent to entertain, but with a story based on the actor's own acknowledgement of the afflicting nature of human trafficking at a global scale.

Having already touched base with the mainstream media via CNN, I'd say the production is slowly and progressively accomplishing its goals on both fronts, in addition to teasing a meaty cast of action stars including international action star, Tony Jaa as the film marks his second run in an English language production following the April 3 release of Furious 7.

Although Skin Trade ,still hadn't had a release date prior to presenting a full trailer as of last year along with its acquisition by Magnolia Pictures. At least now, that seems to have changed as we may now guarantee ourselves a North American limited theatrical release currently set for May 8, 2015 (according to Box Office Mojo), preceeded by a premium VOD release on April 23 and a premiere at the Egyptian Theatre on May 6.

SYNOPSIS:

New Jersey detective, Nick Cassidy (Dolph Lundgren) heads to Bangkok where he teams up with Thai detective, Tony Vitayakui (Tony Jaa) to hunt down Viktor Dragovic (Ron Perlman) and destroy his human trafficking network. Nick had inadvertently killed Dragovic's son in a sting operation on the New Jersey docks, and Dragovic responded by attempting to kill Nick and his family. Nick miraculously survived the brutal attack, but his wife and daughter were killed. With nothing but vengeance to live for, Nick and Tony traverse their way through the Bangkok underworld in search of the elusive Dragovic. Meanwhile, FBI Agent Eddie Reed (Michael Jai White) is sent in to bring Nick home. But as the crossfire ensues, Nick has to determine who his true allies are.

An official trailer still awaits via Magnolia. In the meantime, watch the latest trailer below!

H/T: City On Fire