Features Interviews

The Cynthia Rothrock Interview By King Of Kung Fu

Selected Filmography:
1985:Yes,Madam
1986:Millionaire's Express
1986:
1988:China O'Brien
1989:Martial Law
1994:Undefeatable
2012:Double Fury

http://www.cynthiarothrock.org/

As a writer for Asian Movie Pulse, i was very excited when had agreed to do a interview for the site as i have been a big fan of hers for many years. The first movie i ever seen her in was Righting Wrongs (Above The Law), opposite . She impressed me so much i had to go out and get her other movies, her movement, speed and power made her brilliant to watch within Kung Fu cinema and it was no wonder people like wanted her in his movies.

Martial arts achievements
Rothrock is five-time World Karate Champion in forms and weapons between 1981 and 1985. These categories are not combat-oriented, being displays of fluidity of movement rather than fighting, and are therefore not segregated into male and female categories but fully open to both sexes.

She holds six Black belts in various Far Eastern martial disciplines, including Tang Soo Do (also “tangsudo”, Korean), Tae Kwon Do (Korean), Eagle Claw (Chinese), Wu Shu (contemporary Chinese), Northern Shaolin (classical Chinese), and Pai Lum Tao Kung Fu (contemporary Chinese). She received her sixth degree black belt in Tang Soo Do Moo Duk Kwan in 2006 and was tested by Grand Master Robert Kovaleski, 7th Dan and chair of the I.T.M.A. She also works as a martial arts instructor and her favorite weapons are the hook swords.

Cynthia Rothrock spent five years in Hong Kong starring in Asian produced motion pictures. In that time she had starred with kung-fu greats Samo Hung and Yuen Biao. She was even offered a role opposite of Jackie Chan in Armour of Gods, but Jackie got injured so the company instead put her in Righting Wrongs with super star Yuen Biao. During that Asian tenure she, unbeknownst to her, has set a record of becoming the very first non-Chinese westerner to carry an action movie single-handedly in Hong Kong. In fact, she left Hong Kong as one of the most celebrated action stars in Hong Kong's cinematic history!

Here we go, this is the interview between myself and Cynthia Rothrck, please enjoy.

1:How old were you when you started Martial Arts and which is your favorite style?

I started martial arts at the age of thirteen and my favorite style would have to be Eagle Claw Kung Fu.

What was your toughest experience on a movie?

There were many tough experiences. I would have to say when I was filming Triple Cross, an Indonesian movie. They had me put my head in front of a pipe that was suppose to just blow out smoke. When I put my head there, or actually my fighting partner, was suppose to pretend to burn my face, flames shot out of it, and he saw it, turned my head, and fire singed the back of my hair. I was so lucky my face wasn't there and that he moved my head out of the way. If he didn't my face would have been burned. It taught me a lesson to be very careful on set.

What was it like working with legends such as Sammo Hung and Yuen Biao and how good are they in real life?

I absolutely love working with both of them. Sammo is a genius when it comes to choreography. Yuen Biao is my favorite actor to fight with. Our timing was pretty much the same, so it made doing complicated moves very easy. Both are great people in person. Yuen Biao didn't speak much English so there was a lot of smiling and sign language, and Sammo is very funny in real life.

If you would remake one of your movies, which one would it be and why?

China O'Brien for sure. We talked about it even, trying to get the rights for it. First of all it was one of my first English speaking films, and first one shot in the United States. We were all new and didn't know much about acting. I would love to shoot a more modern day version but very dark and grittty…..

Out of the movies you have made, what are your top 5?

Lady Reporter
Above the Law (Righting Wrongs)
Yes, Madam
Sworn to Justice
Santa's Summer House ( to be released this year)

Who are your kung fu idols?

Jackie Chan and Jet Li.

What future movies can we expect to see you involved with?

I have a few that I may do. It all depends on if they get financing. They vary in story, one Friday's Child is a horror film, Rogue Space, a sci fi, Dracula 2013 horror, the Pitfalls of Penelope Peacock a comedy, and am in talks with a big director for a major film. The next film I am scheduled to do is where I am a manager of an MMA team.

Do you have a dream project and what would it involve, weather it would be movies or in real life?

I would love to be in the Expendables and do a tv show.

What advice would you give to anyone trying to get into the kung fu movie business?

First know your craft as best you can, study some acting courses, and get a good agent that deals with action stars.

Do you have a message for your fans around the world and here on Asian Movie Pulse?

Thank you so much for all the support over the years. I hope you continue to watch my films as I am on a comeback right now. Many blessings in your life, stay happy and positive.

I would like to thank Cynthia for being such a great sport and answering a few questions during her busy schedule, i wish her all the best in the future and will continue to support her and watch her movies, thanks – KING OF KUNG FU

About the author

kingofkungfu

Hi my name is Justyn Hughes, I have been involved or watched martial art kung fu movies most my life. I started muay thai when i was around 4-5 years old for ten years. I became a fan of kung fu flicks after watching prodigal Son in the mid 90's and that blew me away. Some of my favorite stars are: Jackie Chan, Sammo Hung, Yuen Biao, lam Ching Ying, Lau Kar Leung, Ti Lung, David Chiang, Chen Kuan Tai and many more.

King Of Kung Fu (Justyn Hughes)

Favorite movie: The prodigal Son

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