Tell us what your martial arts training was like as a teenager, and how it differs from now.
Silvio Simac: I became interested and became interested in martial arts in the 70s. As a child at the time, I was inspired by the late Bruce Lee. As soon as I took up martial arts, a passion awakened in me, the fire burned brighter and brighter inside, the colors of the belts changed, I began to take part in competitions and soon won more than one award for the dojo. After 28 years, I became a black belt in 5 different disciplines. Currently, I regularly write articles for a number of sports publications, publish books, DVDs and educational materials in electronic form. With constant trembling in my heart, I continue to learn, expand my knowledge and grow in all directions.
I recently noticed that you have become much drier. What caused this change?
Silvio Simac: I have an innate passion to challenge everything and I have a burning desire to win. I don’t believe in everything, so I decided to dispel the myth that life declines after 40. That’s why I set myself the goal that at the age of 40 I would certainly be in my best physical shape.
Have your exercise routines and diet also changed?
Silvio Simac: I am constantly looking for alternative and more effective training methods. In order to quickly reach the peak in my career, I regularly attend courses, master classes, read various publications in order to update my knowledge base in the field of sports, kinesiology (note: a discipline that studies muscle movement in all its manifestations), biomechanics, neurology and business.
Tell us about your gym/dojo. How did it all start? How did the idea of creating SIMAC MMA come about?
Silvio Simac: The idea has been developed over the last 10 years. I started teaching 22 years ago when I took a new career turn - the entertainment industry. She TOTALLY distracted me from teaching. But thanks to her, I acquired useful connections and created a reliable and strong team with which I could work in the future.
I noticed that you teach not only mixed martial arts, but also much more. Can you tell me what courses are available?
Silvio Simac: Students are divided into 3 age categories: from 3 to 6 years (Super Simacs), from 7 to 12 years (Juniors) and from 13 and above (Adults). For more information, please visit www.simacmma.com.
Please note that I named my system "SIMAC MMA" because it combines the most effective, practical and healthy elements of martial arts that I have ever worked with. There are many references to tradition, but the system is in no way related to cage fighting.
Let's move on to films. Just the other day I watched the episode “Endomorphe” from the series “Metal Hurlant Chronicles”. Share your impressions of the filming.
Silvio Simac: Everything is the same as with every new film set: a lot of things are different, the mood rises, new challenges appear that must be overcome, knowledge is enriched. Besides this project, White and I had two more. There was some work experience, and overall it was very interesting.
How was it working with Michael Jai White and Michelle Lee, seasoned actors? Must have been feeding off their energy?
Silvio Simac: As I said, I acted with Michael Jai White in two films, and it was an honor for me. Every person I've filmed with has influenced me in their own way: the way I walk, the way I talk, the way I act in front of the camera and the way I act on camera.
Can you tell us any unusual or interesting story that happened on the set of Man of Tai Chi? One that no one has ever heard of. A little about what happened behind the scenes.
Silvio Simac: When I worked with Keanu Reeves in “Man of Tai Chi,” I arrived on set a week before filming my episodes in order to get used to the time difference. During this week I constantly struggled with sleep, suffered from desynchrony (note: jet lag), and on the last day of filming I fell asleep right between takes.
Let's change the topic. I saw an action short by Dean Alexandrou called Razed. Tell us about working with Dean. He is very talented and you both work well together.
Silvio Simac: Dean is one of the nicest guys, both on and off camera. Very professional and talented. A perfectionist when it comes to details.
Let's talk about future projects. I saw that you are involved in the Thai action movie “Killing The Seeds”. Can you tell us at least something about the film?
Silvio Simac: Development is now in full swing, and we will most likely start filming it in Thailand in early 2015, but unfortunately I am not allowed to divulge other information.
Now let's get back to the old films. Tell us about Transporter 3, you showed yourself great there. How did you get the role and how was it working with Jason Statham?
Silvio Simac: It's funny that I didn't even audition for the role. A few years earlier I had already worked in Paris with Luc Besson and his company EuropaCorp on the film Danny Chain Dog with Jet Li. About 800 people auditioned for my role. Representatives of the manufacturing company contacted me directly and offered me the role, taking into account our previous cooperation. It was interesting to work with Jason Statham, a sociable guy.
The last movie question is about the fight with Scott Adkins in Undisputed 2. Describe the preparation for this fight, how long it took to film, and, if you remember, tell some story related to the filming. I know it was quite a long time ago, but the fight turned out great.
Silvio Simac: It was an honor to work with Scott Adkins, we have already appeared in five films together. We became friends 13 years ago in Thailand during the 3-month filming of the action movie Black Mask 2. Undisputed 2 was filmed in Bulgaria in the dead of winter. We worked in a studio where it was -20 °C. We were constantly sprayed with water to make us look sweaty on screen. To warm up, I was doing push-ups on the floor, and then I was asked a question: how many full push-ups can I do in 1 minute. I did 105 push-ups with my chin touching the floor and my arms fully bent/extended.
Last question. What goals do you want to achieve in acting and in your SIMAC MMA dojo? Fancy coming to the states and becoming a big action star? Or do you like to combine school management and filming?
Silvio Simac: I will continue to make my dreams come true regarding martial arts and the film industry, I will grow and try to make more people know about me.
I am waiting. I hope there will be something exciting.
I would like to mention Pasha as a person who has been an active participant in this project since…
Sad ending, albeit with a joke...
Added a video from the filming of "Twilight of the Warriors".