Read Bruce Le and ENTER THE CLONES OF BRUCE ~ my latest interview for KungFuMagazine.com. It was an honor to interview Bruce Le and I highly recommend this documentary.
Last May, I was interviewed for the Karate Kid episode of REELZ channel’s Unknown Story documentary series. That episode will be airing this Saturday March 19 at 9PM ET/10PM PT and repeated on Sunday March 20 at 1AM ET/2AM PT. For details, visit the REELZ Unknown Story site.
Here’s the synopsis:
The Unknown Story: Karate Kid
The original film about a high school student who is being bullied who teams up with an unlikely mentor made an impact with audiences and critics alike, when The Karate Kid premiered approximately 35 years ago. Since then, there are countless generations who have been drawn to the story of the underdog turned champion, in several versions and sequels of The Karate Kid that have followed. Now, Cobra Kai continues to bring in audiences who are eager to see what happened to the original characters of the first movie, and interest in martial arts has been reignited worldwide. We take a close look at the magic of the original movie, from the casting to behind-the-scenes shenanigans among the cast members, as we celebrate the story of Daniel-san and Mr. Miyagi.
I have not seen this yet so I do not know how much of my interview actually appears in this documentary (maybe none) but the documentary maker just notified me so hopefully I got some screen time. Visit the REELZ website to find out how you can tune in.
Join directors Greg Lynch Jr. and Doug Nichols for the Amazon Prime watch party of their film Stro: The Michael D’Asaro Story on Saturday May 1st at 6PM PST. Amazon does not let you schedule a watch party in advance so on Saturday May 1 at 5:45 pm, the link to the watch party will be shared on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/StroTheMovie and Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/strothemovie. For more information, visit Stro: The Michael D’Asaro Story Amazon Prime Watch Party. NOTE: I’m credited as ‘Starring’ on the Amazon Prime website but I only appear in a few cameos and I’m by far the weakest fencer showcased in this documentary.
Stro: The Michael D’Asaro Story is an award-winning documentary about my NCAA fencing coach by Gregory Lynch Jr. and Doug Nichols. It is available now on Amazon Prime, free to subscribers. I’m a little embarrassed because Amazon Prime gives me top billing. I only appear in a few cameos and am surely the least notable fencer amongst the illustrious cast of world champions, masters, and Olympians. Stro had an immense impact upon my life and I was very honored to take part in this.
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Read my latest interview for Den of Geek: Age of Samurai: Battle for Japan Is a Netflix Docu-Drama Written in Blood and Ink
Stro: The Michael D’Asaro Story will be screening at the Burbank International Film Festival. Maestro Michael D’Asaro was my fencing coach at San Jose State University. This documentary is by my good friend, Greg Lynch Jr., and I have a cameo in it. Below is the information from BIFF with information on how you can stream the screener.
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Michael D’Asaro taught about life through the medium of fencing
Micheal D’Asaro lived a life completely intertwined with the sport of fencing. It provided an avenue for him to escape the poverty of Brooklyn’s Redhook district through a fencing scholarship to NYU. He became one of the dominant fencers of his era after coming under the tutelage of a fierce Hungarian Instructor by the name of Csaba Elthes. He made a name for himself internationally as well, fencing against the greats like Nazlimov and Pawlowsky. But D’Asaro always marched to his own beat which brought him into conflict with the governing body of American Fencers. He left the sport as a competitor when he wouldn’t compromise to suit what he consider old fashioned codes of behavior. He returned to the sport as a coach in San Francisco purely by happenstance when he was hired to be the new head coach at the Halberstadt Fencer’s Club. The only problem was, he had never been formally taught how to coach fencing. But, he taught himself to coach, quickly excelling to the top ranks of United States coaches. He was hired to coach National and International Teams. He achieved his greatest success at San Jose State where he directed the women’s foil team to five straight national championships. His San Jose State students formed the basis for several Olympic Squads in the seventies and eighties He cut his college career as a coach short in the mid 1980s. He was burnt out and tired of the college politics. He moved first to Oregon where he opened his own salle, but that only lasted a short while. Ultimately, he moved to Los Angeles where he continued to teach fencing. He passed away in 2001 from an inoperable brain tumor. D’Asaro left an indelible impression on all the people he met. The lessons he passed on are still used today by his students, in fencing as well as in life.
My first interview for DEN OF GEEK has just been published. Read BE WATER: Director Bao Nguyen Reveals Bruce Lee’s Fight Against Racism in America.
I am thrilled and honored to join the illustrious panel of writers at DEN OF GEEK and hope to provide more articles and interviews for them in the future. Below is my author’s bio for them:
Gene Ching is a 32nd generation layman disciple of the original Shaolin Temple of China and was the publisher of Kung Fu Tai Chi magazine until it ceased publication in May 2020. He has been writing professionally since 1991. For several years, he earned his entire living making swords and was a weapons expert on El Rey Network’s Man at Arms: Art of War with Danny Trejo. Among his hobbies is talking concert goers through bad drug trips, which he calls his ‘karma’ work but really he just wants to see the shows.
Gene Ching ~ musings & publications 