The Chilean martial arts movie, Fist of the Condor, starring martial arts phenom Marko Zaror (John Wick: Chapter 4, Undisputed 3, Machete Kills), had its world premiere at the 2023 Rotterdam Film Festival in the Netherlands. It had screenings for the Alamo Drafthouse Fantastic Fest Presents series and will debut as a Hi-YAH! Original. Fist of the Condor titled El Puño del Cóndor initially, was written, edited, and directed by Ernesto Díaz Espinoza (The Green Inferno, editor; The ABCs of Death, director, segment C).
At the Staten Island location with the kung fu-inspired Flying Guillotine bar and martial arts museum opened by RZA and Alamo Drafthouse in 2022, Zaror is officially the second inductee into the “Fists of Legend” wall, after RZA himself. The wall features an imprint of honorees’ fists, intended to immortalize the bone-breaking fists of martial arts cinema legends, cementing inductees’ legacies alongside martial arts memorabilia that spans the storied history of kung fu cinema.
“This film represents my journey as a martial artist to a great extent, particularly the winding but necessary path to overcoming my own perceived limits through the process of trial and error—and a great deal of introspection and perseverance,” said Marko Zaror, lead actor of Fist of the Condor. “The story itself arose from delving into diverse approaches to nutrition, personal philosophy and training, and a desire to create a well-executed kung fu movie that also reverently portrays Latin American culture and values on-screen.” [Statement from the Well Go USA Entertainment release.]
About: Upon the Incan empire’s fall to invading conquistadors, 16th-century Incan martial arts masters quickly hid a sacred manual containing the secrets behind their deadly fighting technique. But after centuries of careful safeguarding, the manual is again at risk of falling into the wrong hands, leaving its rightful guardian to battle the world’s greatest assassins to protect the ancient secrets within.
“Marko has done an incredible job of bringing this story to life while paying clear homage to classic kung fu films and the many people who paved the way in the genre,” said Brennan Lane, digital channels and acquisitions manager at Well Go USA Entertainment. “That feat is even more impressive while playing two roles to perfection. Audiences will get a great taste of Marko’s technical skill and artistry in the upcoming fourth installment of the John Wick franchise. We’re excited to bring fans another serving of his work so soon afterward.”
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Source: Well Go USA Entertainment