Directed by Rainer Sarnet from Estonia, "The Invisible Fight" was released earlier this month nationwide in Europe. Eddie Tsai, a Taiwanese action director and stunt performer, who bravely ventured into Hollywood for four years, took on the role of action director for the film, living out his dream of becoming an action director. The success of a Hollywood action blockbuster globally depends on the action director's ability to design thrilling, blood-pumping scenes that make the audience sweat with suspense. In these high-difficulty scenarios, stunt performers must risk their all to execute the stunts. All stunt work involves inherent risks, with a high probability of injury. Behind the applause from the audience for a great film, there lies the hidden and endless toil of these individuals.
Eddie Tsai said, "I have been practicing martial arts since the age of 13, accumulating over 30 years of experience. I am proficient in various traditional Chinese martial arts styles, including both northern and southern Shaolin, as well as different types of martial arts from around the world. Due to my passion for action films and the desire to apply my skills, I decided to venture into Hollywood in 2019, immersing myself in film culture and starting from scratch. Unfortunately, the outbreak of the pandemic in 2020 halted my progress, causing significant setbacks. Despite the challenges, I was determined not to give up due to the pandemic. As the situation gradually improved, my workload increased steadily. The release of 'The Invisible Fight’ was great encouragement for me.”
Reflecting on the origins of his Hollywood journey, Tsai mentioned that in 2019, he represented a Taiwanese martial arts group that visits North America and Europe to perform Kung Fu. His martial arts performances were well-received, and during a visit to Hollywood in Southern California, he broadened his horizons which planted seeds for future studies in Hollywood. Over the past four years, he has been involved in the filming of projects such as "Kung Fu Games," "End of Loyalty," "The Invisible Fight," and "Alpha of Aberdeen," taking on roles in stunt coordination and stunt performance.
Regarding his ultimate goal of making a mark in Hollywood, Eddie Tsai expressed, "I aspire to learn how to become an action film director. The diverse film genres in American cinema, meticulous team collaboration, numerous international opportunities, creativity, the visual impact, and dynamic camera work have exposed me to various cultural influences, making me realize that the learning process is endless."
"The Invisible Fight" action director Eddie Tsai. Provided by the interviewee
For example, "For the recently released 'The Invisible Fight,' when we started filming in 2021, the director's goal was to create a 'European version of a kung fu film.' The shooting locations spanned from Estonia to Latvia, Greece, and Finland, showcasing a rich Catholic religious atmosphere. When designing the martial arts scenes, I had to fully integrate the essence of both Eastern and Western martial arts. I even took on a role in the film, which turned out to be quite remarkable." This was reported by our journalist, Lu Xin, in Los Angeles.
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