REEL ONE Flying Heroes of Taiwan

REEL ONE Podcast: Grady Hendrix on the Magic of Taiwanese Wuxia & Martial Arts Cinema video and edit by Zeb Schmidt produced by Paul Kazee A deep dive of Taiwanese wuxia films with New York Times bestselling author and co-founder of the New York Asian Film Festival, Grady Hendrix! In this can't-miss episode of the REEL ONE Podcast, Chris Poggiali talks with author Grady Hendrix to explore the rich and influential history of Taiwanese martial arts cinema. Hendrix, a co-founder of Subway Cinema , shares the fascinating story of how a group of film enthusiasts in New York started a movement to bring Asian genre films—from romances and comedies to action-packed martial arts movies—to a wider audience. This passion project evolved into the renowned New York Asian Film Festival, which has hosted legends like Jackie Chan and John Woo. This episode focuses on a special retrospective of Taiwanese wuxia films, many of which have been beautifully restored in 4K and feature new, improved subtitles. Episode highlights include: What is Wuxia? Grady Hendrix breaks down the wuxia genre, comparing it to the American Western. Discover the mythological world of the "Jianghu" (rivers and lakes) , a space of abandoned temples, bamboo forests, and unparalleled martial arts masters. The Master: King Hu: Learn about the legendary director King Hu, the "John Ford" of wuxia films. Hendrix discusses how King Hu elevated the genre to an art form , incorporating elements of Peking Opera , innovative cinematography, and profound philosophical themes. Iconic Films Explored: We take a close look at masterpieces like Dragon Inn and the epic A Touch of Zen. Discover the incredible behind-the-scenes stories, from months-long actor training to the year-long wait for a single shot to be perfect. The Evolution of Action: The conversation traces the development of martial arts choreography, from the foundational work of action directors like Han Ying-Chieh to the dynamic, intricate style of Sammo Hung. Learn how the on-screen fighting evolved from graceful swordplay to hard-hitting, empty-hand combat. Top Film Recommendations: Grady Hendrix and our host give their top three must-see films from the series, including The Valiant Ones, A City Called Dragon, and the modern classic Reign of Assassins. Whether you're a lifelong martial arts movie fan or new to the genre, this conversation with Grady Hendrix offers a captivating look into a vital and thrilling part of film history. About our guest: Grady Hendrix is the New York Times bestselling author of novels such as "The Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying Vampires" and "My Best Friend's Exorcism." He is a co-founder of the New York Asian Film Festival and Subway Cinema. He also co-authored with Chris Poggiali (the podcast host) "These Fists Break Bricks: How Kung Fu Movies Swept America and Changed the World." Don't forget to LIKE, COMMENT, and SUBSCRIBE for more content on the art of cinema! Keywords: Grady Hendrix, REEL ONE Podcast, Taiwanese Cinema, Wuxia, Martial Arts Movies, Kung Fu, King Hu, A Touch of Zen, Dragon Inn, New York Asian Film Festival, NYAFF, Subway Cinema, Asian Film, Film History, Movie Podcast, Cinema, Film Analysis, Sammo Hung, Shaw Brothers, Golden Harvest, Action Choreography, Foreign Film, Chinese Cinema, Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon, Michelle Yeoh.