Below I’ve posted an extended featurette for my martial arts documentary Blvd. Warriors, which explores the inspiration and influence of Asian martial arts & popular culture on urban America. The documentary features interviews with Grandmaster Ron Van Clief (The Black Dragon, The Last Dragon), Grandmaster Ronald Duncan, Oso Tayari Casel, Shidoshi Nathan Ingram (The Deadly Art of Survival), Shihan Gregory Duncan, Qi Chi, Oliver ‘Power’ Grant, King Uprock, Reginald Hudlin (House Party, Boomerang), Bishop Donnie Williams (Enter the Dragon), Chip Fu, Master Michael Jai White (The Dark Knight, Blood and Bone), Master Carl Scott (Kung Fu Executioner, Soul Brothers of Kung Fu, A Hard Way to Die, Bruce Lee: The Man, the Myth), Jerry Quickley, Ric Meyers, Gloria Hendry (Live and Let Die, Black Belt Jones) and many, many more. Many of those interviewed are not in this clip reel. Blvd. Warriors is an epic story that unfolds over a span of more than 70 years and multiple generations, involving people from all walks of life and a variety of backgrounds, all of whom found inspiration, comfort, strength and a value system in martial arts culture. This ultimately influenced their life paths in many ways, and in many cases, it even saved their lives. Find out more about Blvd. Warriors at www.blvdwarriors.com.
Check out the official featurette for Blvd. Warriors, below.
Thanks so much Derek, glad you enjoyed this. And, it is a sad commentary on where we are today, but things are changing! Look forward to sharing the entire film with you.
I just loved watching this trailer, and look forward to seeing the rest. Growing up, my favorite music was Motown and 70′s Soul. As a young American Chinese kid, I looked up to and admired my Black brothers and sisters in music and dance. Little did I know then that they were influenced by Asian martial arts and films. Not till I went to college and met fellow martial artists who just happened to be African Americans, did I feel a long-lasting connection and establish friendships that have lasted 30 years. I continue to dream that the arts we share in common will bring people of different backgrounds together more and more. It’s ridiculous that we separate and congregate only with those who look like us. Let’s keep mixing it up, and enjoy our humanity.
Thanks so much Derek, glad you enjoyed this. And, it is a sad commentary on where we are today, but things are changing! Look forward to sharing the entire film with you.