Malaysia’s first martial arts film ‘Kinta 1881′

Malaysia is set to join Thailand and Vietnam in the rush to fill the relative void in martial arts movie output from Hong Kong. KINTA 1881 is their first martial arts movie featuring local wushu champions and action choreography from Hong Kong veteran Chin Kar-lok. A newly released trailer depicts impressive action and production values similar to ONG BAK and THE REBEL.

Full Trailer for KINTA 1881.

Directed by C.L. Hor, KINTA 1881 is set in the late 19th century and centers on a tin rush in Malaysia’s Kinta Valley where Chinese immigrants poured in to seek their fortunes. A tin mine becomes a central backdrop for much of the film’s kinetic screen fighting.

This is the first release for Absolutely Black, a production company formed from Hor’s Blackbox Pictures and event management company CMG Absolute.

What should interest genre fans is that the stars are all real martial artists. Robin Ho is a former world wushu champion. Michael Chin, Kuan Fei and Shawn Lee are all national Malaysian wushu artists and David Bao is a world champion tai chi performer from China.

Of this set, Michael Chin has the most action film experience. He began working as a stuntman at age 16 and is a one-time member of Sammo Hung’s stunt team with credits that include FULL THROTTLE and DRUNKEN MASTER 2. He has even doubled for Jackie Chan.

AD Chin Kar-lok should need no introduction for Hong Kong action fans. Having started out as a stuntman in Sammo Hung’s stunt crew in the early 1980s, he has been at the center of Hong Kong’s famous action output ever since, in front of and behind the camera. Some of his best work as action director includes ON THE RUN and THE ICEMAN COMETH. His more recent work with Hong Kong’s Brat Pack in films like ONE NIGHT IN MONGKOK and DRAGON SQUAD have not given him the best opportunity to showcase his talents but KINTA 1881 and its straight up martial arts action looks to remedy that.

Promotional pictures for Kinta 1881.

Below are some behind-the-scenes videos from KINTA 1881.

Behind the scenes footage from KINTA 1881. Real Hong Kong style fight work can be seen here with a full contact kick to the head that knocks a stuntman out.

Behind the scenes footage from KINTA 1881. This footage shows some of the wirework used during an elaborate sequence outside of a cave entrance.

Behind the scenes footage from KINTA 1881. The stunt crew’s use of limited pyrotechnics is shown, as well as breakaway props. Check out that awesome fall off the staircase.

KINTA 1881 is so far not listed as a 2008 release in Malaysia and there is yet no news on any North American acquisition.

Source: The Star Online

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Tags: Chin Kar-lok, upcoming, Videos, wushu