Interview with Max Repossi
In loving memory of Max Repossi, a martial artist, an action actor, a friend, a filmmaker and so much more. Max passed away on Wednesday, 14th April 2021. He will be dearly missed.
Picture courtesy of Max Repossi for A Chase Sequence
Max Repossi wrote, directed, produced and starred in the action short film A Chase Sequence, which was screened at Fighting Spirit Film Festival in 2018 and he performed demonstrations at Fighting Spirit Film Festival 2019.
He played Vittorio in The Immortal, an action-fantasy short film directed by Dom Fred. The Immortal tells the story about three modern-day swordsmen who fight to the death in order to win a divine prize. The short film was screened at Fighting Spirit Film Festival 2020.
How were you introduced to the world of martial arts?
I started practicing Judo at the age of 7. Back then my mother used to take me to afternoon classes. I did not fall in love with the practice at first so, after a couple of years, also due to the fact that the training venue had to be renovated for safety reasons, I decided to stop. However, my real journey was just about to begin. A few years later, in 2000, I decided to give it a go one more time. It all started when a friend of mine, Massimo, called me and said: “Hey Max, let’s go to check that Kung Fu school”. I replied positively, even though I did not know what style of Kung Fu it was about. I must have probably heard that word “Kung Fu” first, when I watched the movie “Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story” on VHS with Jason Scott Lee, a few years before with a friend of mine Naples. Anyway, when me and Massimo (and our mothers too!) entered the Kung Fu school, I immediately fell in love with everything there was in there. No hesitations at all. Seeing those disciplined kids moving with grace, the rack full of beautiful and exotic weapons…it really struck me the most. Since that day training has become my life, both as an action actor and a martial arts teacher. Some of my Kung Fu brothers are still my best friends and they still continue to practice, teach and experience martial arts, as well as being successful in life. We travelled the world together thank to the passion we share for martial arts. We are bound for life.
Who are some of the martial artists that you look up to?
I grew up with Van Damme, like every single Italian kid in the 90’s…he was and still is my hero. I also love Donnie Yen. He is an unbelievable martial artist and action actor. He moves with power and grace, and he performs every single technique, every kick, every look, at the camera, like no one else in my opinion. I like Wu Jing (Jacky Wu) a lot too, he truly is one with the camera, the one and only Jackie Chan (who does not like him?) and Scott Adkins, who knows how to be both technical and incredibly effective in his amazing movies.
You practice many different styles of martial arts, do you have a favourite style?
Picture courtesy of Max Repossi for A Chase Sequence
Yes, I practice different Kung Fu styles, especially those coming from the southern regions of China and Hong Kong: Choy Li Fut, Lau Gar, Wing Chun and Hung Gar. The last one is still the one that defines me the most, without the shadow of a doubt. I also studied Iaido (Japanese Katana) for many years: that gives you another way of moving your body, and greatly help me with my martial training. I also practiced western styles, like boxing and kick boxing. Many people always ask me whether I do Tae Kwon Do, because of my knack for kicking, but I never even tried that. The real reason is that you just have to keep your moves sharp and explosive in the movie scenes.
Where is your favourite place that your work has taken you?
I have been lucky to travel a lot and to be in many places in the last few years. My favourite places are still China and Hong Kong.
How did you get your start as an action actor?
I started with my own projects and shorts, getting some experience at first. My first feature action movie was “Vixen” (2018) directed by Ross Clarkson; we shot it in China, it was a tough but great experience overall! I also made lots of friends on the set, like Bryan Larkin, Julian Gaertner and Jai Day.
What do you enjoy the most about being an action actor?
Life on the set, waiting, then being able to express yourself at the camera. You also make bonds with people very easily, because you live in the same place for weeks at a time.
What’s the most challenging part of being an action actor?
Picture courtesy of Max Repossi
On the set? Waiting! Ahah! Waiting and being ready when you are called. But I enjoy it now. Outside the set, the fact you have to wait as well. Sometimes you have one project after the other, sometimes there is more time to wait, but you always have to be ready and prepared to take a plane, anytime, anywhere.
What do you think makes a great martial arts/action film?
Great camera work and great performers. If you have these two things at a good level, you will have a great product, no matter your budget. Action directors and Stuntmen/Action Actors are a paramount of importance to hit it big.
What were your inspirations for A Chase Sequence?
That greyish modern action atmosphere, like the “007” James Bond movies with Daniel Craig and “The Bourne Identity” series. That kind of action European touch was the inspiration.
How was your experience making A Chase Sequence?
It was a real challenge. With no time available and quite little experience, we shot the film in just a few hours, I must say I am pretty happy with the results.
How did you come up with the action choreography in A Chase Sequence?
A few days before the shooting we decided to shoot in a couple of places where we did not have the permission to: an abandoned industrial building in the suburbs of Milan and on a rooftop. As we did not have much time, I had to improvise on the fly and create the choreography on the set. My partner, Fatah Ghedi, who is an outstanding actor but not specifically a stuntman did an amazing job! I am particularly happy about the rooftop scene. I have to thank Dario Pastore again, the one who did an incredible job both on the camera and in post-production.
Would you like to venture more into directing?
Yes I would love that, but I think I have to study a lot and get more firsthand experience before that.
What do you see as the future of martial arts/action films?
Personally, I see more joint ventures between the East and the West movie industries (especially at studios level) and even more high-level independent films. We need these full heart movies. Overall, I expect there will be more indie action movies in the next few years.
Do you have any upcoming projects that people should look out for?
There are three different feature movies I worked on last year that are in post-production at the moment. In addition to those, I have two short films which entered the editing process just before the lockdown we are experiencing started. I also received a new script just last night. Let’s see how things go and keep our fingers crossed (smiling).
How has your experience been with the Fighting Spirit Film Festival?
Great. It is like family to me. I love the organisers: Soo, Weng, Es and the whole team. It is amazing how you can meet incredible people who share your same passion. There, I also got in touch with professionals I worked with afterwards. I even performed for an audience live, when I went there! I always have a great time being at the Festival. I really feel being part of the family.
Pictures courtesy of Dom Fred for The Immortal
Pictures courtesy of Dom Fred for The Immortal
Pictures courtesy of Dom Fred for The Immortal
Speed Round. Pick one film for each category.
What was the first film you ever watched?
Probably “Pinocchio” (Disney, 1940).
What is your favourite current film?
“Once Upon a Time in Hollywood” by Tarantino
What is your favourite film from your favourite director?
“Cape Fear” (Martin Scorsese)
What is your guilty pleasure film?
“The Horror Masterpieces” of the Maestro Dario Argento!
What is a film that you think is underrated and deserves more attention?
“Knock Off” (1998) with Van Damme, directed by Tsui Hark.
Pictures courtesy of Dom Fred forThe Immortal