World cinematic statement from the New “Russian Hollywood”
Sometime in 2000, Jackie Chan himself gave a “Start in Life” to this incredible team called “A. D. Academy of Achievements”, which after 13 years is still reaching the world level with its unusual works in cinema. Team members themselves come up with stories, shoot, edit and work on advertising their own films. And all this is by no means at an amateur level. The head of the film group, Dmitry Shadrin, ambitiously claims that the quality of martial arts film production has fallen all over the world. And in Russia he was “hacked to death” at conception.
6 questions for a genius... or a boastful charlatan?
- Why cinema and martial arts?
D. Sh. – I have always loved action films. In the 80s I watched a lot of Indian, Hong Kong, American, and of course Russian cinema. In the late 90s there was a choice between sports and cinema. Of course I chose cinema. This way I can realize my full potential in life. This is very important for every living person.
- Are you saying that Jackie Chan personally influenced the formation of the team?
D. Sh. – In 2000 there was a gathering of Jackie fans. There I literally met Jackie for a few seconds and talked with Brad Allan. They inspired me a lot. I was on the rise and knew for sure that I would make high-quality and powerful films. The energy of these people was so incredible that I still feel it to this day. She makes me move, realizing myself.
- What has your group done that is so unusual and unlike anything else in 13 years?
D. Sh. – In 2005, we made a youth film “Squishy”. The most interesting thing is that the final 4-minute battle scene took 3 months. Despite the fact that everything in this film is simple, there are no analogues in terms of production, ideas and technical capabilities in Russia now. Now we are finishing the sitcom without a single word, (note: There is only one film in the world without words - The Ball. Produced in France) “+20, - 35 degrees, precipitation 100%”, filled with numerous action in the style of Leonid Gaidai, Buster Keaton and of course Jackie Chana. At the same time, work on the adventure, erotic thriller “The Stranger” is nearing completion. We are the first in Russia who successfully combined mysticism, detective fiction, martial arts and beautiful “on the edge” erotica in the context not of Art House, but of the most accessible, entertaining cinema, while putting a significant thought into the film. There is something to see and something to think about. All this already sets us apart from other filmmakers. Add to this an aesthetic, artistic picture, without excessive shaking or shaking of the camera, and you will get an incomparable viewing pleasure. Now we are promoting our films to world film festivals.
- You were very dissatisfied with the state of modern martial arts films. What is this connected with?
D. Sh. - Dissatisfied? That's putting it mildly. The quality of films has dropped as much as one can imagine. Remember the 80-90s. There were so many bright works and big names. What now? Old-timers squeeze the last out of themselves, and the younger generation prefers to demonstrate computer effects, performing BI techniques on steel cables. Of course, they also used cables before, but they did it very competently. Now everyone is flying. Besides, you don’t believe in the power of teenagers. Looking at Jackie, Sammo, Jet or Donnie Yen I could say: - Oh, these guys are interesting, inventive and strong. What now…? Only Tony Jaa is of interest. But he is also running out of personal resources. Nothing is eternal. The younger generation can save a lot. But it simply isn't there. Why? Because professionals in their field are leaving. And whoever stays follows fashion. Look at the films Corey Yuen made in the 80s. What's happening now? Sammo Hungg and Jackie Chan are also in decline. Donnie Yen is staying afloat, but for how long. Need a change. But again... young trickers and stuntmen have good body control and techniques, but they don’t know how to present themselves at all. They are not interesting to look at. Only a few try to get into the cinema. In Russia we have a total disaster with fighting games. At the beginning of the century, “The Monk”, “Lotus Strike”, “Main Caliber” were published... But this is a drop in the ocean. We have an association of stuntmen in Russia. But where is she and what significant has she done for the new movie? There are many talented, young guys who are simply not allowed to develop. They make their own movies and their own videos in the hope that they will somehow be noticed and given a role in the movie. This is very sad.
- Can you characterize the potential of “action cinema” in Russia?
D. Sh. – There is certainly potential. But the main problem is that the “film steering wheel” is often run by producers who have no idea about cinema at all. And since young stuntmen and fighters are intensely busy with their training, and not with studying cinema and improving their acting skills, this plays a cruel joke on them. Agree, what will be the attitude towards stuntmen who simply come, fight somehow and leave? You need to do your job brilliantly. Nowadays in the stuntman craft there are more people from the street than professionally trained ones. The heads of stunt schools need to think not primarily about how to make as much money as possible, but about how to educate a professional who clearly knows his job. Moreover, a specialist who knows how to argue with producers. Explaining why this and that should be done. And how to do it is not necessary. Now everything is done quickly and no one wants to bother. Why look for a battle concept, come up with interesting moves and take a very long time to build a shot, if the money has essentially already been paid. And the fact that the audience doesn’t like the film and fails at the box office, and a month later they forget about it, this has already become a normal trend. Over the past, say, 20 years, I cannot proudly say about any action film in Russia: - Oh, this is really cool! All thumbs up!!! This is why we study cinema. Cinema from different countries. Let's find out how to make it better and more interesting. The promising "Raid" was recently released. But what do I see? Everything shakes and shakes. Why can't you take a dolly or use technology on cables with a camera. The result will be a wonderful picture. Sometimes I find it funny to watch fighting games. Why? There is a dialogue, some scene, everything is fine... and suddenly the battle begins. What does the operator do? It's as if he closes his eyes and just moves the camera. And when the fight was over, he blurted out: - Uff... Thank God! Then the editor, stunned by the buzz, stitched it all together in an incredible way. So what's the result? Abstract art in the Art House style. That's why I don't understand these actions in the movies. See how Armor of God, Meal on Wheels and Miracles were filmed and edited. In general, “Miracles” for me is the highest example of cinematic combat cinematography!
- So, should there be a “fighting” movie for young people or not?
D. Sh. - Of course there will be! Provided that young filmmakers begin to pay more attention to studying cinema. There are good teams in Russia with decent potential. For example, Novosibirsk has a very powerful technical base and just a huge flow of enthusiasm. But they don’t really pay attention to the actors’ performances, “cinema” shooting and editing. In addition, with each film you need to surprise more and more. And there are fewer and fewer ideas for choreography. In Ufa there is a good group in its essence, but the guys do not shine with anything outstanding. Sergey “Dragon” Morin from Moscow is promising. His series "The Guy in the Hat" is attracting audiences. But they also lack cinematic quality in the same cinematography and editing. Dmitry Fedorov, who has directed several short films, is incredibly talented, but cannot find a team of like-minded people. And without a group, no matter how genius he is, he is nothing. In Ukraine - Alexander Litvinenko, an amazing athlete with great potential. And what…? This will continue until the producers pay attention to them. And if they do, they will dictate their terms. So you need to take a professional approach to creating a movie and releasing it to the film market. I would be happy to invite all representatives of this film industry to the Big Meeting and talk. I am sure that sales and implementation are important for everyone in this life. This can be achieved in a smart way. Plus, there is the opportunity to invite Jackie Chan to resolve this issue. He is willing to make contact and is concerned about the entry of Chinese cinema into the Russian market. And we, in turn, could contribute to his film projects. Remember how many Europeans participated in Hong Kong cinema in the 80s, thereby ensuring the internationality of Asian cinema. We need to act together. And the main thing is to listen to your colleagues, study the history of cinema and move forward. We all have a lot of ambitions, but making films that the whole world would be delighted with is not an easy task. But you must definitely strive for it. Of course, provided that we all need it sincerely and truly.
Dmitry Shadrin
Especially for Martial Arts Info
11.09.2013
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…
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