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The Protector
Interview article by Nobuhiro Hosoki
After two of the finest martial artists, Jackie Chan and Jet Li, had become major exports from Hong Kong to the U.S. in the 90s, Asia has been struggling to produce another gravity-defying blood master with lightning-fast fists. Worry no more! There's a new man on the horizon by the name of Tony Jaa! His bone-crunching fighting skills are faster than a speeding bullet train, and his aerial kicks are higher than those of Bruce Lee in his heyday. His new film sends out jolts of electricity from first shot to last. He recently flew in from Thailland to promote his film at the American Museum of the Moving Image in New York City, showing off some of his vicious moves on the side.
(Note: all of the following interview has been translated, except for when Tony Jaa apologizes for
his broken English.)
—— In case you aren't sure, everyone loves this film. Martial arts films are shown here every month, and by my account, I think this movie was interrupted by applause more than any other one shown here. One of the brilliant things about this film is the choreography. Who does it?
(Tony Jaa) It's actually my teacher, Panna Rittikrai, with my
stunt team.
—— For how many years have you been a student of martial arts?
(Tony Jaa) Ten years! I'm sorry my broken English.
—— One of the things I love about this film, besides the action, is that your films always have spiritual statements and are a celebration of the spirit. It's a joy that we have an action movie that is basically about peace.
(Tony Jaa) The character in this film is largely based on myself and my parents back home in the Province of Surin in Thailand, where they actually raised two elephants, Flower and Leaf, which are still with my family today.
—— One of the most amazing things in this film is that seven-minute airway sequence without a edit, which is absolutely amazing. How long did it take to choreograph, rehearse, and shoot it?
(Tony Jaa) I prepared that scene for one month, and that scene took eight takes. They only allowed two takes per day, and the film only had four days in it for that shot, so I had to time it perfectly from the first floor to the seventh floor. This is one of the scenes that I was most proud of. I actually had to change one camera guy, because he couldn't follow me, and on one of the takes I got up to the third floor feeling almost done, but the safety crew people didn't follow me in time, so I had to cut it and start all over again. For the next one, I had everything perfect again till the third floor, and this time the film ran out.
—— I haven't seen anything this good since new 90's in Hong Kong, and having said that, did anybody suffer any injury in his film?
(Tony Jaa) Before we started the production, I was very selective about the people who are incorporated into this movie. When I actually sat them down, I asked, ok, are you willing to get hurt? Are you willing to give a hundred percent? What I wanted was reality from them. All the stunt people who were authenticated from the time I was younger and studying martial arts--we had this kind of a relationship with each other throughout the film, eating together, sleeping together, going out together. It shows in the movie.
—— It seems like, stylistically, your martial arts has changed somewhat from Ong-Bak to this film. What went into making that decision, If you can describe that difference?
(Tony Jaa) Yes, I wanted to show something new this current movie, so I made new moves.
—— All those moves are found in Thai boxing or other martial arts?
(Tony Jaa) Yes, they are based on elephants moves actually, with my hands mimicking an elephant's trunk, which I just incorporated into the movie.
—— On a average day, how long did it take you to prep the fight scene for the shoot?
(Tony Jaa) It depends. All together it took about a year.
—— Do you have an idol that you model yourself after or that inspires you?
(Tony Jaa)I have been a fan of martial arts films since I was a kid. Bruce Lee, Jackie Chan, and Jet Li are all heroes for me. As you may have noticed, my films incorporate Bruce Lee's intense fighting moves, and Jackie Chan's comic value and charisma.
—— What do you do before you go out and shoot, like what do you eat, how you stretch?
(Tony Jaa) My favorite food is bananas, just like an elephant and monkey. Usually on a average day, I practice eight hours a day, with body and mind together. The most important thing is a focus and meditation: you have to really work on that for everything else to take place.
There are lots of other martial artists who are better than me, so you just have to do your best every day to keep up with the opportunities that are given.
—— Are you seeking out other martial artists?
(Tony JAA) Yes, I am looking for the martial artists from all the styles. The next film, Ong-Bak2, is going to incorporate a lot of that! It's gonna be a period piece. Production starts the end of this year.
