| INTERVIEW WITH JALAL MERHI! Sweeper: What went on behind the fight between Bolo Yeung and you? JALAL MERHI: "Tiger Claws" was my second movie and we had a lot of dreams and expectations so we planned a well choreographed fight on top of the theater where Bolo's charicacter lived but the budget was tight no further fund came so Bolo and myself changed it and shot the whole final fight and the Cynthia Vs Bolo fight in one long afternoon and night,all of us were very tired but it was fun. And I started to learn you can't get everything you want. Sweeper:: What is your favorite movie you have starred in? J.M: "Tiger Claws"-"Talons Of The Eagle"-"Expect No Mercy". Sweeper:Did you do your own stunts in "Talons of the Eagle" ? J.M:Yes I did including the driving and the love scene. Sweeper:Why did you choose to produce/direct movies rather then just star in action flicks? J.M Some times out of necessity but mostly I do enjoy directing more then anything. Sweeper: Has there been any particular time where a certain actor didn't get along with you? J.M: Yes...You always have artistic difference and every actor comes with different expectations but then try to work it out. Sweeper What is your pedigree in martial arts? J.M:I started "Tae Kwon Do" moved to "shotokan" and then to "Choy lay fut" and "Kung Fu" Sweeper: What do you think of fellow actors. Jean-Claude Van Damme,Dolph Lundgren,Steven Seagal,Bolo Yeung,Loren Avedon,Don "The Dragon" Wilson and Cynthia Rothrock? J.M: Jean-Claude Van Damme: Came in just the right time to re light the martial arts candel. Dolph Lundgren: I see him more of an action star,he has a great screen presence. Steven Seagal: I like his dirty direct foward action. Bolo Yeung: I had dinner with him on Tues. Mar 26th. We are hoping to do something soon,I love his screen presence and I feel he did not get the break he deserved. Loren Avedon:He was great in "King Of The Kickboxers",I enjoyed working with him ("Operation Golden Phoenix" and Tiger Claws III") and I hope he gets another chance for a comeback. (Kenner note: So do I) Don"The Dragon" Wilson:I have met him personially twice and he seems like a great person witha pashion for the art. Cynthia Rothrock: A true martial artist a sweet person that I love dearly,Hollywood should never have seen in her what Hong Kong, myself and the whole world had seen for years,fun energy power and good screen presence. Sweeper:What do you think of negative comments you hear about your movies? (F.E Ziggy's Video Realm. My friend Ziggy labels Jalal Merhi "The worst actor in the B.movie buisness.".) J.M:I never read them but I feel every one has the right to a web page and write things. I do get a lot of letters of encouragement and that is all I need to keep me going. I am committed to the film industry and martial arts and as long as films sell I keep making them mainly as director and mabie actor too. Sweeper: How did you get started in the movie buisness? J.M:After winning the weapons division in a tournament sweaty and focused I was approached by a producer who was scouting the circuit for martial arts expert in weapons,but after one year of courting that movie never happened but by that time I got to know some great film people that helped me get in. Sweeper:What is the producing process? J.M:It's the toughest and least appreciated process but without procedure of getting funds star's scripts and crew including Director together the movie will not get off the ground. Sweeper:How many movies do you put out a year? J.M Average two. Sweeper: Thanks for taking time out of your busy schedule to do this interview. J.M:Its my pleasure and good luck. |
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