Sunday, September 18, 2016

Cool Ass Cinema Presents: An Interview With Former Shaw Brothers Star & Director/ Action Choreographer, Lu Feng



Famous the world over for playing various villainous characters in a series of Kung Fu and Wuxia movies all directed by Chang Cheh, Lu Feng (sometimes billed as Chu Lu Feng) was one part of the team of five actors popularized in a 1978 motion picture titled THE FIVE VENOMS (in America as FIVE DEADLY VENOMS). Under Chang Cheh's guidance Lu Feng was part of Chang's 4th Generation of movie stars that gained massive popularity around the world in a series of varied action pictures featuring some of the most dizzying, dazzling, and creatively gory action you've ever seen. Master Lu has since moved exclusively behind the camera, still working in the industry that brought him prominence on the international market. The famed Shaw Brothers Studios may be closed and the Five Venoms have long since disbanded (working in some capacity; or passed away in the case of Chiang Sheng), but the films live on.

Below is a lengthy, career spanning discussion with one of Hong Kong cinema's best loved old-school actors, and one of the industry's greatest actors of villain roles, Mr. Lu Feng.

Early Roles. Clockwise from top left: SHAOLIN AVENGERS (76); THE HAND OF DEATH (76); THE CONDEMNED (76); NEW SHAOLIN BOXERS (76)
VENOMS5: Can you tell me about your childhood, when you became interested in acrobatics and martial arts?

LU FENG: I grew up in a poor family. I have three older brothers. My parents couldn't afford to raise so many children, so they sent me to Chinese opera school. The government-run schools do not charge tuition, and they pay for your food and living expenses; but you must pass the exam first. I was lucky to be accepted. Most of my childhood was spent growing up in the school community--nearly 11 years in drama school with a total of 40 other male and female students. Every day we learned about opera performances. At 5am we are up to start the day courses with the first class beginning at 5:30am. In the beginning when I was learning somersaults (tumbling) it was very hard, but this training gave me foundation that helped me in my movie career up to today. After breakfast was finished at 7:30am, I learned about weapons, knives, guns, swords, forks (Fei Cha), and other weapons. Afternoon and night was reserved for normal academic studies. This lasted nine years. The last two years was for stage performances. At that time when I was very young, there was no so-called interest in such things; it was because the family was poor, and I was sent to study acrobatics, stage performances and martial arts! 

Early Roles. Clockwise from top left: SEVEN MAN ARMY (76); MAGNIFICENT WANDERERS (77); CHINATOWN KID (77); NAVAL COMMANDOS (77)
V5: Did you go to the same school as Kuo Chui and Chiang Sheng?

LF: The three of us--myself, Kuo Chui (Philip Kwok Chun Fung), Chiang Sheng--all studied opera, but we were not from the same school. Chiang Sheng and I learned Jiang Chinese opera (Revolutionary Opera), but Kuo Chui's was slightly different. He studied Taiwanese Opera. Since school fees are not required, the government encouraged the development of artistic talent in learning Chinese Opera. As I stated before, much of the training consisted of tumbling, juggling, and weapons. The three of us became very good at acrobatics, and I am slightly better at using weapons. For the movies, I have tried almost all the various weapons.

V5: Who inspired you to get into movies and become a martial arts actor?

LF: After graduating from opera school I was supposed to further my development in professional arts. But because of the changing times, fewer and fewer people were watching Chinese Opera; the recruitment for China National Drama Theater was in decline. The movie and television industry was developing much faster so we had to find another way to survive. This was around 1975. At that time most of the martial arts staff in movies all had background in Chinese Opera. For example, Sammo Hung and Yuen Woo Ping all have a base in Chinese Opera. Fight Director Tang Chia is the same. Of course, we had Sifu Lau Kar Leung who came from a genuine martial arts background but that was rare. All I can say is I stepped into the movie industry because of the decline of Chinese Opera and that my good friends lead me into this industry. I was a stuntman for a few years before Director Chang Cheh promoted me as an actor. I played small roles at first, but also worked as a deputy fight coordinator. At that time Sifu Lau was just leaving Director Chang to direct his own movies. I was working at Director Chang's company when he shifted his base to Taiwan to form Chang Gong (Long Bow). Some of those films being FIVE SHAOLIN MASTERS (1974), MARCO POLO (1975), NAVAL COMMANDOS (1977)... when he closed down he took me, Chiang Sheng, Kuo Chui, and about 20-30 other men back to Shaw Brothers in Hong Kong.

Lu Feng and Wang Li (right) in Chang Cheh's NEW SHAOLIN BOXERS (1976).
Lu Feng battles John Liu (top) and Tino Wong (bottom)
V5: You have an early fighting role in SECRET RIVALS 2 (1977) for director Ng See Yuen and his Seasonal Films Company. John Liu and Hwang Jang Lee were very popular at this time. Do you remember anything about making this film? Wang Li appears in the same fight scenes with you.

LF: When I first started in this industry it was through a friend's recommendation. I participated in some movies as a stuntman. SECRET RIVALS 2 was one of those jobs. I remember Master Yuen Woo Ping was the Fight Choreographer. Wang Li was a stuntman then too, although I don't remember working with him on that one. We did collaborate for years at Shaw's and we did become good friends. I don't recall much about the picture. I just thought John Liu and Hwang Jang Lee were great masters. I wasn't in the whole movie just when they needed a stuntman.

V5: How did you first meet director Chang Cheh?

LF: As I said earlier I joined Chang Cheh through a friend's recommendation. The first time was on HEAVEN, HELL, EARTH (HEAVEN AND HELL in 1975). They had changed the Chinese name but the English name stayed the same. At that time I did not know if Chang Cheh would pay much attention to us since we were just small potatoes; so I just tried to do the best job I could. I did know Master Lau Kar Leung liked me. He was still there with Chang Cheh at that time as his Fight Choreographer. He gave me a chance to show off and perhaps because of this director Chang Cheh noticed me (laughs)!

V5: In 1975 this was being promoted as 'The Hell', but the production was shelved for some reason and started again with new cast and choreographers in 1977. Do you recall anything about this?

LF: With HEAVEN, HELL, EARTH, I think Chang Cheh was trying to create a new style of movie--with singing, dancing, ghosts, weapons, and other elements. It didn't click with audiences. Then again, maybe Chang Cheh was ahead of his time. I think the later Hong Kong zombie movies were influenced by it to some degree. The film went through a few different titles, too; one of them was something like 'The Third Kind' which wasn't very clear (laughs)!

Lu Feng as General Gu Bei Zhi in SHAOLIN TEMPLE (1976)
V5: Can you discuss your experience making Chang Cheh's epic SHAOLIN TEMPLE (1976)?

LF: SHAOLIN TEMPLE (1976) was the first time I played something resembling a real role. I only had small roles before, so I was really nervous. I remember a scene where I had to say some longer lines of dialogue and my mind suddenly went blank! I'm trembling, very scared that I can't finish the scene. I'm thinking to myself, "what an idiot!" But fortunately, I had better luck doing the martial arts sequences. I tried to do it well! Ti Lung was the big brother to us on the set. He gave us in the younger generation a lot of encouragement.

Clockwise from top left: FIVE VENOMS (78); INVINCIBLE SHAOLIN (78); LIFE GAMBLE (79); CRIPPLED AVENGERS (78)
V5: FIVE VENOMS (1978) was your first time as an action director? Was it a good cooperation between yourself, Leung Ting and Robert Tai?

LF: FIVE VENOMS was the first time I was a Deputy Action Director. I had little experience, but I was anxious to learn. This was Leung Ting's first time as Action Director. Each move set was given to the actors just before we'd shoot them. Leung Ting had no experience, but he brought some ideas to the film; such as how Wei Pai interpreted the Snake. His action design for the Snake was not the same as traditional Snake style. The action designed by me, Robert Tai, Chiang Sheng, and Philip Kwok was very hard to put together but we had a great time doing it. In retrospect I have nothing but good memories. Tai Chi Hsien was a good brother, a very good director who worked hard for Chinese cinema.

V5: FIVE VENOMS (1978) is very popular around the world. Are their any memories you can share making this famous film?

LF: That year FIVE VENOMS earned a lot of money in Hong Kong and Taiwan. However, we didn't expect nor did we know our films were being embraced around the world. It was 20 years before I knew they were so popular since social media had yet to develop. Working at Shaw's was like working in manufacturing. He had his own theaters, distribution, iron works, woodworking facilities, garment factories; these were all there to complete the film. They had their own actors and directors producing dozens of movies a year. So for us it was like a job; and completing each job successfully was most important and was the mentality we all had. It was certainly my feeling at the time.

We got a call sheet everyday with a list of work to be completed as well as our progress for that day. Daily some unpredictable situation would occur, often a work-related dispute. Never personal, though. For example, instead of using the traditional Snake Fist, Leung Ting decided to create a new technique. The left hand was the cobra head and the right was the tail. Unlike the Snake Fist in SNAKE IN THE EAGLE'S SHADOW (1978), nobody was familiar with this style. If we had stayed with the familiar style our film would have been completed earlier than Jackie Chan's snake fist picture. So at that time we were all in opposition of Leung's design. But director Chang Cheh decided to use the new Snake technique for the movie. It didn't affect the film's finesse although that Snake style was never used again. It did establish the uniqueness of FIVE VENOMS. In those days we were all new, so we tried so hard to do our best. Under Chang Cheh's leadership we had a good product.

V5: Around the time FIVE VENOMS (1978) was in production, director Sun Chung was preparing TO KILL A MASTERMIND (1979), a film with a similar concept. Do you remember this film from that time?

LF: TO KILL A MASTERMIND (1979) was a copy of Chang Cheh's FIVE VENOMS (1978). Like Chang Cheh, Sun Chung was introducing new actors--around seven--but his picture was similar to Chang's movie. I've not seen TO KILL A MASTERMIND, but the story doesn't seem as good as what Chang Cheh wrote for FIVE VENOMS. 

 
V5: One of your best works is CRIPPLED AVENGERS (1978). After a two year absence Chen Kuan Tai (above at left) returned to Shaw Brothers. You were fantastic playing his crippled son with the iron arms. Did he give you any acting advice?

LF: Chen Kuan Tai was the idol of my youth. I was holding back my excitement to work with him. He was our senior then and we greatly respected him as our leader. Whether in the action or the drama parts Master Chen gave us great respect as well. He also exceeded our expectations. Chiang Sheng and I were deputy directors (assistant directors) on this film as well as action directors along with Kwok Chun Feng (Kuo Chui). Master Chen never questioned the script nor offered an opinion on the action he was given to do. He's really good! Of course, when working with Ti Lung, David Chiang, Wang Chung, Danny Lee and other predecessors in THE WILD BUNCH ON THE BEACH (SHANGHAI 13) they are the same, too. The elder class are the best brothers.

Clockwise from top: SHAOLIN RESCUERS (79); THE DAREDEVILS (79); KID WITH THE GOLDEN ARM (79); THE MAGNIFICENT RUFFIANS (79)
V5: You are famous for playing the villain. You have played many memorable bad guys. It is hard for me to pick a favorite you are so good at playing them. Do you like playing bad guys the best?

LF: According to my own experience, when I was playing the villain the box office was better. When I was the good guy it wasn't quite as good like in DESPERATE ACROBATIC TEAM (THE DAREDEVILS) (Laughs). I have a good friend who told me jokingly that I was a "natural born villain"; so maybe I'm really a bad guy (laughs)! I am fond of the Kao Chin Chuen (Gao Jin Zhong) character. I played him twice in MARKET HERO (SHAOLIN RESCUERS) and again in TWO CHAMPIONS OF SHAOLIN (1980). I prefer MARKET HERO since I won an award for it! Another bad guy role I am fond of is "Butterfly" Hua Chong in HOUSE OF TRAPS (1982). I was very handsome in that one (laughs); at least I felt handsome in it!

V5: In your films you always use long weapons. Do you have a favorite? Moon Sword? Spear? Or a different weapon?

LF: Because I was in Opera School, I had to learn many skills such as singing, martial arts, somersaults and weapons. I began Opera training when I was 8 years old. Since I had a loud voice more attention was paid to my singing as opposed to tumbling. By age 15 or 16 I no longer retained my child voice; some people do, but I didn't. It was no longer so clear as before. Due to this I concentrated solely on my martial arts skills, weapons and somersaults so I could be a martial arts actor in the movies. You asked me what is my best weapon... You've seen in my films that I am good at using them all (laughs)! I love using them, although they're very dangerous.

V5: Going back to the singing for a moment, I've seen photos of you singing on stage the night you won your acting award in 1979.

LF: Gordon Liu was accompanying me that night on stage. A special occasion! After having been out of the National Drama School for 40 years, myself and all the old students had a reunion on October 25th, 2012. I did a "painted face" performance that night in full costume (see insert photo).

Lu Feng as the leader of a blood-drinking cult of killers in MASKED AVENGERS (1981)
V5: My favorite is the Flying Fork (Fei Cha) weapon from MASKED AVENGERS (1981). Stunning choreography in that one. I saw it in the theater when I was a child. It was my first time seeing the Venom group on the big screen. Needless to say, I was in awe. Can you comment on this film?

LF: The characters of the title are similar in meaning to "Righteous Fist". It is generally understood although the meaning is not the same since the character for righteousness, or justice, becomes the fork (trident/3-tipped head) representing the killer gang in the film. The justice comes in the form of the heroes sent to stop them. This was a much darker film than what we had been doing up to this time. Chu Ko joined our group as an action choreographer on this picture.  

Special mention here, my master, director Chang Cheh, is a great fan of the Chinese National Opera. Sometimes when we're filming he would sing an opera song or two (laughs)!

Lo Mang, Kuo Chui, Sun Chien, Lu Feng, Chiang Sheng... THE DAREDEVILS (1979)

V5: Did you know Chang Cheh's fourth generation of stars were so popular outside of Asia?

LF: As I've said before, our Five Venom Group has so much love from foreign fans; we never expected it. We feel really surprised and very happy about it. We feel very honored; including me and Kwok Chun Fung.

Lu Feng (far right) with his 'Best Supporting Actor' Award at the 25th Asian Film Festival in July of 1979.

V5: How did you feel when you won the 'Best Supporting Actor In An Action Film' Award for SHAOLIN RESCUERS (1979)? You were such a strong opponent playing Kao Chin Chuen. It took all the main cast to defeat you! You played the character again in TWO CHAMPIONS OF SHAOLIN (1980).

LF: Winning the "Asian Film Festival Best Supporting Actor Award" for SHAOLIN RESCUERS was the greatest honor I have had as an actor. When filming, your hardest effort to get the best result is the most fun, the most satisfying thing. Of course, the rest of our group of five friends put in hard work as well. I have told you that our movies do well as long as I am playing the villain to the end; and when many have to combine to defeat me, then I will die miserably.... because I'm too strong (laughs)!

Clockwise from top: 2 CHAMPIONS OF SHAOLIN (80); FLAG OF IRON (80); LEGEND OF THE FOX (80); THE REBEL INTRUDERS (80)
V5: Do you recall the problems while shooting TEN TIGERS OF KWANG TUNG (1980)? Chang Cheh's original story was about the 10 Tigers but the story was later re-worked to feature the young relatives of the 10 Tigers. A lot of good action footage was cut out. Fu Sheng injured himself and Wei Pai left Shaw's for Golden Harvest.

LF: Director Chang cultivated the younger generation to uphold the legacy of their predecessors. This approach began with MARCO POLO (1975), Fu Sheng with Kwok Chun Fung; Ti Lung performing with Lo Mang and myself. The Kwang Tung 10 Tigers coaching the younger 5 Tigers is also the same idea. I don't really remember any problems other than normal issues that occur on set. In my memory of him, Wei Pai is a person who didn't communicate with people to the point you were completely unaware of his departure. He was a difficult personality. Director Chang's masculine cinema (Yanggang) also influenced the later generation Hong Kong triad film. That genres greatest director, John Woo, was once Chang Cheh's assistant director. You know more about the details of my films than I do (laughs), I admire that!

Lu Feng (middle) in a 2-on-1 fight against Lo Mang (left) and Chiang Sheng (right)

V5: Thank you. I grew up watching them and have studied as much as possible about them over the years. As for the other members of your group, Lo Mang and Sun Chien have a different background from you, Kuo Chui and Chiang Sheng. How was it working with them?

LF: Sun Chien learned Taekwondo and Lo Mang learned Nanquan (Southern Fist). When devising action that utilized their expertise, myself, Kuo Chui and Chiang Sheng tried to design action that suited their strengths. For instance, in our movies I am always armed; Kuo and Chiang were always leaping into the air, and so on. I also used tumbling and light skills but on a smaller scale. On the set the three of us would meet with director Chang to communicate before shooting. Finally, we would plan the action sequence, shooting the move sets of three people together. Whether it was only two people fighting in the move set, three people, or more than three, the decisions were made by the three of us. Completing a set is harder the more people you have since it requires more maneuvers. Before the shooting session begins we will talk about the general direction of a sequence. For example, how many people hit me, the last one who should be killed, or how my character will die; and the length of time afforded the middle portions of the fights all takes time. Lo Mang, Wei Pai, Sun Chien and others were instructed by us and didn't participate in the designing of the fights.

V5: Why did the 5 Venom group split up in 1980? I asked Lo Mang about this in 2007 and his response was the audience wanted the lighter tone of Jackie Chan and comedy routines as opposed to bloody heroics.

LF: There is an old Chinese proverb, "There is no never-ending feast"; meaning that any family or close friends must one day separate. We certainly tried to work together as best we could and be understanding as a team. But the fact is there were various reasons--Director Chang leaving Hong Kong for Taiwan and then China; the decline of the martial arts film genre.... however, it's a pity we oftentimes refuse to accept the reality.

Lu Feng, Kuo Chui and Chiang Sheng in FLAG OF IRON (1980)
V5: Chiang Sheng died in 1991. Do you have a memory of him you could share? He was a close friend of Philip Kwok as well.

LF: The three of us got along very well because almost everyday we studied new ways of designing martial arts moves. We had a strong bond between us. Chiang Sheng went to heaven, but it was with great sadness for us since he was such a good man and a great actor. Chiang was an interesting person. He had no temper and held no grudges. He could get along with anyone he met; but he loved to drink. Kuo Chui was a more serious actor but also a good man.

V5: Chiang was fantastic in LEGEND OF THE FOX (1980) as the main villain, Tian Gui-nong. He was a much better actor than he probably ever got credit for.

LF: I agree. Tian Gui-nong in THE YOUNG FLYING FOX (LEGEND OF THE FOX) was a very good role for him. He was known for playing the non-serious parts, but he played a villain beautifully; particularly because his jovial personality is the total opposite to the character.

Lu Feng and Lung Tien Sheng (right) in SWORD STAINED WITH ROYAL BLOOD (1981)
V5: Lung Tien Sheng joined your group in 1980 for the re-shooting of TEN TIGERS OF KWANG TUNG. He had a lot of charisma. He was especially good in FLAG OF IRON (1980). Did he work well with you, Kuo Chui and Chiang Sheng?

LF: Lung Tien Sheng (Long Tian Xiang) is a great actor. He brought a lot of intensity to our group. Of course, Cheng Tien Chi and Chu Ko came a short time later and were also fantastic. Cheng is my classmate. Both he and Chu Ko came from Chinese Opera background. I explained our cooperation earlier, regarding the action design. Like Lo and Sun Chien, Lung Tien Sheng didn't participate in choreographing the fights. After myself, Kuo and Chiang left Shaw Brothers, Chu Ko and Cheng Tien Chi took over as action directors at the studio.

Lu Feng as Hu Yi Dao in LEGEND OF THE FOX (1980)
V5: What is your favorite character you played and why?

LF: I said earlier my favorite should be Kao Chin Chuen, the villain of SHAOLIN RESCUERS and TWO CHAMPIONS OF SHAOLIN. As much as I truly loved playing this character my absolute favorite is the "Snow Fox", Hu Yi Dao from LEGEND OF THE FOX (1980). Hu Yi Dao was more humane than other characters I've played. I loved the heroic relationship between my character and the righteous Miao Ren-feng as played by my colleague, Kuo Chui. It was a different sort of masculine role than I normally played. Had it not been for Director Chang's mastery the interpretation might not of been as good! My next favorite would be Kao Chin Chuen, and then followed by Hua Chong in HOUSE OF TRAPS (1982).

V5: Have you or any of your co-stars ever contributed ideas during shooting, or did you always follow the script as written?

LF: The script, of course, is written by Chang Cheh. They're his ideas although sometimes he collaborated with Mr. Ni Kuang, a very famous writer and novelist. It is Chang's decision to shoot the picture, and his decision as to which parts we will play. The three of us--me, Kuo and Chiang Sheng--would then get together with Chang Cheh to decide the weapons we'd be using, such as the tridents in MASKED AVENGERS (1981) or the flags in FLAG OR IRON (1980); or some other elaborate weapon. Chang Cheh would have final say over the dramatic portions of the production, but in the fighting choreography the decision is ours. Us three were putting our best ideas forward as a team whether we used them or not. It was our dedication to the film that we tried to contribute only our best.

Lu Feng in Chang Cheh's BRAVE ARCHER series. Clockwise from top: THE BRAVE ARCHER (77); BRAVE ARCHER 3 (81); BRAVE ARCHER 2 (78); BRAVE ARCHER AND HIS MATE (82)
 
V5: Can you tell me about Chang Cheh? As a man and as a filmmaker. He is my favorite director.

LF: Undeniably, Chang Cheh was a pioneer of Chinese cinema. Whether it is Swordplay, Kung Fu, Triad/Gangster, Blood Brotherhood, Comedy, even Musicals, Chang Cheh's status as a forerunner still affects the Chinese film and television industries. Chang Cheh presented unique weapons in his films; the flags I mentioned earlier, as well as the "whistle stick" seen in NORTH SHAOLIN VS. SOUTH SHAOLIN (INVINCIBLE SHAOLIN).... the long stick with a chain connected to a truncheon. I've not seen this type of pole weapon used again. The tridents and lethal flags haven't been seen up to now. Chang Cheh is a great director. He came close to making one hundred movies. For me, he is the best martial arts movie director, but is the worst producer because he had no idea of handling the financing. His investment in his films was more than it cost to make them. He had no concept of the monetary end of film production.

After leaving Shaw Brothers and Hong Kong, Chang came to Taiwan again with the intentions of making movies, but this time under the Chang Ho banner. I said earlier he was the best director, but he wasn't too good with handling the budget. Unfortunately, the resources in Taiwan were nothing like what we had at Shaw's. The restrictive nature of the productions in Taiwan had an impact on the quality of the films. He loved spending the money but this lack of properly allocating funds meant he was always over budget. This was Chang's one major weakness.

Aside from his innovations as a filmmaker, Chang Cheh was a man of many other talents. His artistry in calligraphy in the Chinese world is famous. He wrote the famous song called 'High Green Mountains'. In Taiwan many people know this song. It described the indigenous name of Taiwan. When in Hong Kong I found out that he had also been an actor. I really do miss my master, Chang Cheh. Talking about these old times is a very pleasant thing.

Lu Feng in NINJA IN THE DEADLY TRAP (1981)

V5: You directed several films. Did you like directing? Was it harder or easier compared to being an action director? Please elaborate.

LF: I co-directed NINJA (NINJA IN THE DEADLY TRAP) with Kwok Chun Fung and Chiang Sheng. After we finished that picture, Kwok left Chang Cheh followed later by Chiang Sheng. I stayed in his company as assistant director. In 1984 or 1985 Chang Cheh and I went to Thailand to shoot a movie called ARENA (DEATH RING). I brought in a new actor named Li Chung Yat to star. I used lots of Thai actors too. Myself and Chao Kuo were action directors on this picture. I took ARENA (see insert) to the Chinese distributors but none would take it, so it only played in Thailand that I am aware of. When it was finished we went to make THE DEMONS (THE NINE DEMONS).
 

Around this time, Taiwan and Hong Kong Martial Arts and Action movies were deteriorating. Chang Cheh moved on to the Mainland and I went to television first as an actor and later as a director again. I remained an action choreographer, though. It's been nearly 20 years since I was an actor as I've concentrated on working behind the scenes, and mostly working in China. My job at present is strictly as an action choreographer or director.


NINJA KIDS (82); VAMPIRE KID 2 (88)
I enjoyed being both an actor and an action director; but there is a difference between the two. An actor has to follow the action he's given to perform. If an action director knows you're good at martial arts, tumbling, somersaulting, etc, he can give you a great performance. If it's an ordinary action director you will not play to your full potential. As an action choreographer you can have an unlimited imagination to play around with. You want to give the audience the most wonderful Kung Fu fighting possible. Combining the two--being both an actor and action director--I think is the best... because it is in my hands to play to the strengths in the fighting and control it; like Jackie Chan and Sammo Hung, they have been both actors and action designers; only now they are old and best suited behind the camera.

Top row: SHANGHAI 13 (1984); Bottom row: THE NINE DEMONS (1984)
V5: Do you remember SHANGHAI 13 (1984)? Can you tell me about this production? Many famous actors together including a young Andy Lau.

LF: Of course, Andy is now a big Chinese movie star. THE WILD BUNCH ON THE BEACH (SHANGHAI 13) should be among his earliest film work. He had just left TVB (Hong Kong TV) when he joined the cast. All of Chang Cheh's actors from the first generation of Jimmy Wang Yu to the fifth of Cheng Tien Chi were participating. I fought and killed him in this movie! Young Andy is very diligent, dedicated, and worked very hard on this picture. The seniors worked tirelessly to deliver the best action sequences possible. In the end, SHANGHAI 13 never played in Hong Kong theaters. I don't know why. Sometime after this, Cheng Tien Chi gave up acting and became a director as well. He's the one who convinced me to get into the industry.

V5: What became of Wang Li? Have you seen him recently?

LF: After we left Shaw's we no longer stayed in contact. I really don't know where he is now. 

Clockwise from top: 10 TIGERS OF KWANG TUNG (80); SWORD STAINED WITH ROYAL BLOOD (81); MASKED AVENGERS (81); HOUSE OF TRAPS (82)

V5: After 1985 you did very few movies. Did you ever think of retiring?

LF: No, the film industry was changing and the types of movies we were doing were in decline. Shaw's was closing down and switching to television, so I did the same. Virtually everyone has a TV set in their home. You can see a free show so why spend money to go to the theater to see a movie? At that time HK movies were becoming more and more crude and audience confidence in productions went away.

V5: What is the achievement you are most proud of?

LF: Normally I wouldn't say my film work was an achievement. Doing movies was just a job for me; a job I tried to do my best at every occasion. Since social media has become more developed I've discovered I have many fans so I feel very happy and proud to have brought excitement and joy to them. Secondly, being recognized with an "Asian Film Festival Best Supporting Actor" award for SHAOLIN RESCUERS, I can say for sure I achieved a lot in that movie (laughs)!

The Good Guys...
V5: Compared to the old days, what is your opinion of today's Hong Kong action films? Do you ever watch your old movies?

LF: Hong Kong film industry has become more diversified to meet the needs of the audience. There aren't many martial arts movies made nowadays; at least nothing compared to the old days. It's mostly comedies, gangsters or cop movies being produced. It's a shame... perhaps it's just down to different times or just a changing audience.

Today the film production companies are more picky about which movies can make the most money for a return investment. In the old days this was not the situation. Director Chang was always looking for new themes to shoot, new ways to make his stories, present his ideals, and interpret the emotions of the heroes as well as being innovative in the martial arts action. Chang Cheh wanted to entertain an audience with a good story as opposed to catering to a particular audience.

... and the Bad Guys
 
V5: One last question, you and the rest of Chang Cheh's 4th generation of stars have a lot of fans around the world. What would you like to say to them?

LF: I am very very grateful, and also deeply honored to learn the fans love me as an actor and filmmaker. I'm just trying to do my best work. I never expected to be anyone's favorite. Although our film work is over three decades old, these fans still like to remember us. I want to say to them, Thank you... really, really thank you very much, I love you!

  I would like to thank Mr. Lu Feng for being so generous with his time in answering questions about his career. It was a sincere honor discussing his career with him. I wish him continued success in all his future endeavors.

CAC was also granted an interview with Kuo Chui (Philip Kwok), the Lizard of the 5 Venoms. You can read that interview HERE

***I would also like to thank Dan and June for contributing translations for this interview***
 

Sunday, September 4, 2016

Man From the Deep River (1972) review


MAN FROM DEEP RIVER aka IL PAESE DEL SESSO SELVAGGIO (THE COUNTRY OF WILD SEX) aka SACRIFICE! aka THE MAN FROM THE DEEP RIVER aka DEEP RIVER SAVAGES aka RIO DE LA MUERTE, RIO DEL AMORE (RIVER OF LOVE, RIVER OF DEATH) aka MONDO CANNIBALE (CANNIBAL WORLD)

Ivan Rassimov (John Bradley), Me Me Lay (Maraya), Pratitsak Singhara (Taima), Ong Ard (Lahuna)

Directed by Umberto Lenzi

The Short Version: The infamous Culinary Captain of the Cannibals got the notorious sub-genre rolling with this enjoyable jungle romp filled with violence, gore, and.... romance? Yes, Ivan Rassimov, after being taken captive by a tribe of (somewhat) passive neoliths, falls in love with the chief's daughter and, after a trial period of enslavement, assimilates into their culture, putting civilization behind him. The numerous scenes of bizarre tribal rites, rampant nudity, severed tongues, dismembered limbs, animal slaughter, and single scene of bodily consumption are at odds with the serious drama, but Lenzi is a good enough cook to make it a tasty 93 minutes. A well made, excessively violent variant of Elliot Silverstein's A MAN CALLED HORSE (1970), the hardcore cannibal crowd may still crave more than Lenzi's MAN offers.


John Bradley is on a photographic jaunt in Thailand. While enjoying his assignment he ends up in a scuffle with a local man in a bar and accidentally kills him. Bradley flees the scene and heads for the rain forest for more shots in the hopes of nobody finding him. Ignoring a warning of traveling too far down river, Bradley's guide is killed and he is captured by a native tribe that believes him to be some sort of fish-man. Witnessing acts of violence committed against cannibal captives of an enemy tribe, John soon forgets the brutality of his surroundings once his attention shifts to Maraya, the beautiful daughter of the chieftain. After observing and undergoing various rituals John Bradley becomes one of the tribe and marries Maraya... just as the opposing tribe of flesh-eating headhunters prepare to attack the village.


Film director Umberto Lenzi has many fans around the world. He also has many critics who have little to no appreciation for his varied resume. There's a raw, maybe even crude, unmistakable style that's a defining feature found in much of his work where many directors have no signature at all. Having dabbled in virtually every genre style, his most famous films on the international scene... at least those that have awarded him the most notoriety, have been the much-maligned cannibal films; the bastard offspring of the Mondo Movies that gained infamy via the worldwide release of MONDO CANE (1962).


The first instance of graphic celluloid cannibal cuisine was served up by director Lenzi in this 1972 jungle excursion. A strange blend of brutality and romance, it's not as extreme as later entries, but for historical value, it's required viewing. One of the film's strongest attributes is the capturing of the colorful local flavor and customs of the Thai people. You get a sense of both danger and exoticism in the surroundings and the culture--particularly the natives in their element. None of the other films--including Ruggero Deodato's CANNIBAL HOLOCAUST--managed to do this as successfully.


Deodato's movie certainly relies heavily on tribal culture, only its concentration on extreme cruelty and gore removes some of the authenticity that Lenzi is able to preserve. Both films are like night and day when compared side by side, although each are classics in their genre for different reasons. Deodato's movie edges Lenzi's out from a structural standpoint since its media manipulation in creating violence for a story is as potent now as ever before. It's also a much more powerful experience because of his numerous gut-punches, and presentation of inhumanities from savages and supposed civilized man. On the other hand, Lenzi's movie caters to a peculiarly crude romanticism; built specifically around a single character immersed in a strange new world. The film isn't driven by violence alone, although there's no denying the sensationalism was the major selling point.


From an expositional perspective, Lenzi's movie wins by a wide margin. MAN is the only film in this genre that makes any attempt at humanizing its savages. We live with them for 93 minutes unlike John Bradley who gradually changes from detesting his captors to becoming one of them. Like the Kuru, the cannibalistic enemies, this moderately passive tribe isn't without their share of barbarism. The difference is they have the capacity to love. In Deodato's movie (and especially in LAST CANNIBAL WORLD) the natives are seen as one-dimensional, cave dwelling primitives; or forced into violence by aggressors that include indigenous enemies as well as modernized ones. They are very much in the vein of the vicious Kuru of Lenzi's movie. And since we're discussing stone-age throwbacks with hygiene issues....


Those expecting something as relentless as HOLOCAUST or Lenzi's CANNIBAL FEROX (1981) will find themselves frustrated since the 'pieces de repugnance' doesn't occur till 70 minutes into the movie. Simplistic in execution but effective, this brief sequence of graphic flesh-eating would be the blueprint for the other films that followed. Anthropophagy isn't the narrative thrust, just a plot device that's used to show the Kuru are even more barbaric than the unnamed tribe Rassimov has spent the entire movie with. The same sequence was recycled later in Lenzi's cannibal compilation, EATEN ALIVE! (1980); but went missing in the Prism Entertainment release on VHS. Aside from the cannibalism, the film's major source of trashiness is an abundance of nudity, sex, and animal violence. Some viewers accustomed to rowdier grue will likely find the film slow-going, maybe even boring in between the nastiness.

Regarding the animal cruelty, there's a lot of it in MAN FROM DEEP RIVER. Many arguments have been made about these scenes in recent years; an article was written about them HERE. While it's obvious that in some of these movies the animals died for the sake of the exploitation value; in others it was either for food or the entertainment of the natives. Cock fights and battles between snakes and a mongoose have been a part of cultures the world over. If you've ever watched National Geographic, you'll see a lot of animal violence by cameramen filming animals and their place on the food chain. For some viewers these scenes will be far more disturbing than anything else onscreen. This type of greasy carnival food is a staple of these movies, and even more prevalent in the sub-genres antecedents, the Mondo movies.

Of these sequences the fight between the cobra and the mongoose is the most engaging, if no less grim. I've always been fascinated by this scenario. Apparently cobras fare less favorably in scuffles with mongooses than other snakes like vipers and constrictors who have more powerful venom and or attacks that can break through the protective "wall" of the mongoose. The scene doesn't propel the storyline, it only shows what the indigenous people do for entertainment. Despite its accurate placement, the sequence moonlights at increasing the exploitation value; and likely offending a few folks in the process. For the kookiest 'Cobra vs. Mongoose' battle see the Shaw Brothers exploitationer FANGS OF THE COBRA (1977), aka COBRA GIRL. It's like a live-action Tom and Jerry cartoon.


Some of the other animal scenes are more nauseating such as an alligator being nearly decapitated before its evisceration; and a monkey that loses the top half of its head for an afternoon snack. The monkey business looks as real as everything else. Considered a delicacy in Asian lands, Rassimov doesn't look at all enthused at partaking in this 'fresh off the cranium' finger food.


Playing the Man From the Deep River is Ivan Rassimov. He's good in the role if overly theatrical. You almost expect Rassimov to recite Shakespeare at some point. After being captured, humiliated, and enslaved by the tribe, he tries to escape a few times. On three occasions a helicopter passes overhead. Twice he tries to flag them down but is unsuccessful. On the third time Bradley, astonishingly, hides from the chopper overhead. After saving a young boy in the tribe, he is finally accepted as one of them. He is "set free" so to speak, assimilates to their ways, and uses some of his modern skills to improve the lives of his new family. It is here where MAN becomes a borderline X-rated chick flick.


This was Rassimov's first time working under Lenzi, yet he wasn't the first choice. Originally, Gianni Garko, the lead in several Italian westerns like IF YOU MEET SARTANA PRAY FOR YOUR DEATH (1968) and HIS NAME WAS HOLY GHOST (1972), had the role but declined; citing he didn't feel comfortable doing the picture half-naked. Rassimov's unique stone-like face blessed him with many villain roles, but he was just as compelling playing a hero even if he gets a bit melodramatic at times.


Interestingly, the 'Deep River' mentioned by the savages is symbolic of civilization. Lahuna initially warns his daughter about John Bradley, stating that he comes from the Deep River, a place of danger. In contrast, John himself is warned by a local boatman to not venture too far down the river because of the dangers found there. This parallel between two worlds isn't explored beyond the periphery but it's there; and a welcome addition to the world's only cannibal love story. 


Playing his love interest is Burma born Me Me Lay. This was her first of three films featuring stock animal sound effects and Stone Age people who eat everything with their hands. This role is the most substantial of the trilogy. Lenzi's movie gives her far more to chew on than Deodato did in LAST CANNIBAL WORLD; or even Lenzi again in EATEN ALIVE! (1980). Constantly naked with no dialog in the former title, Me Me Lay is little more than window dressing in the latter.


Lenzi's movies are frequently tasteless; but here at certain times, he displays restraint when necessary. These moments are mostly relegated to the love story angle between Bradley and Maraya. It's handled unusually well, too. Surprisingly, Lenzi dislikes the film's Italian title (translates to 'The Country of Wild Sex'); and his feelings are sound since the relationship between the two is given time to build and is actually touching at times. Still, there's a lot of sex onscreen--whether intentionally loving, or for some bizarre sexual ritual, or even rape... such is the case during the cannibalism scene where the young girl is violated multiple times before one of her arms, a leg and a breast end up in the cannibal's bellies.

The screenplay by Francesco Barilli and Massimo D'Avack is compelling even if it's heavily sourcing Elliot Silverstein's A MAN CALLED HORSE (1970), an American production from two years earlier. However, elements of the story came from a Thai woman familiar with tribal customs named Emmanuelle Arsan (Marayat Rollet-Andriane), the author of the 1957 novel, 'The Joys of a Woman'. Some sources claim the actual author was Arsan's husband.


The script doesn't waste time getting John Bradley to Thailand since he arrives over the opening credits. It would seem some of this pre-DEEP RIVER action got left on the cutting room floor, though; early on we see Bradley at a kickboxing match with a blonde woman named Susan. The way they converse with one another it's like they've spent a lot of time together; yet we never learn who she is aside from a girl he's with at this arena... a girl who isn't enjoying herself at all. This is the first of a few stumbling blocks due either to editing choices or footage that simply never got shot. Elsewhere there's a vague subplot involving a witch doctor in the tribe. Just prior to Bradley and Maraya getting together, we see this scary looking character burning two voodoo dolls of Bradley and Maraya (see insert). She becomes gravely ill towards the end of the movie but this plot point never gains any traction. The witch doctor character does die horribly at the end but this angle is just sort of dangled in front of the audience and ultimately left to die.


Depending on who you believe, the film shoot lasted anywhere from six weeks to a four month period in Bangkok and in the jungles along the Burma border. Lenzi used actual tribesmen in his movie. Making things more difficult, none of these local actors spoke English or Italian. Casting a local girl for the film's major sanguinary set-piece proved difficult; the problem was solved when a prostitute was hired to be eaten onscreen.

The film was a success; and in 1974, Lenzi was approached to do a sequel again starring Rassimov and the lovely Me Me Lay. After requesting an increased payday, the producers passed on Umberto and went to Ruggero Deodato. The result of course was LAST CANNIBAL WORLD (1977).


No stranger to the sweltering jungles, Lenzi had previously helmed several other similarly set adventures with far more family-friendly fare like SANDOKAN, THE GREAT (1963) and TEMPLE OF THE WHITE ELEPHANT (1964). By 1970, this type of pulp entertainment gained a harder edge with an increased accent towards nudity and bloodshed.

***MAN FROM DEEP RIVER has been released in the US a few times since the 1980s. A cut VHS from Prism Entertainment had the cannibalism removed. In a much better presentation, Media Blasters unveiled a widescreen version to DVD in 2004. Now, RaroVideo's US division has issued the film uncut on bluray. As of this writing, it's available exclusively from Raro till November 29th, 2016 when it's available elsewhere. This should not be confused with 88 Films bluray release in the UK. Missing three minutes of footage, it compensates with a cannibal feast of extras.***

 
Lenzi's movie straddles the line between a typically gloomy 70s style American adventure/western and what the Italians would be getting up to towards the end of the decade. It's both notable and ironic that the one that birthed all the fine young cannibals distinguishes itself by not being solely about cannibalism at all. Despite some flaws, MAN FROM DEEP RIVER is one of Lenzi's most intriguing affairs. A bit too heavy on the exploitation to garner interest from few outside the primary audience, it still holds up amazingly well today; and is among the upper tier of Europe's Cinema of the Grotesque.

This review is representative of the Raro bluray; Specs and Extras: 2.35:1 widescreen 16x9; Italian language with improved English subtitles/English dubbed version; documentary 'Cannibal World' (00:25:20); 12 page illustrated booklet; running time: 1:33:15

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