Maria Tran Exploring The World Of Female Kung Fu Stars In FEMME FATALES

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Maria Tran Exploring The World Of Female Kung Fu Stars In FEMME FATALES

Who says the world of martial arts cinema needs to be a boys club? Certainly not Australian filmmaker Maria Tran, who is very much aware that while the Jet Lis and Jackie Chans of the world have historically claimed most of the limelight, standing right behind them - and often kicking their asses - are a host of talented female performers. And she's bringing them front and center with her new documentary project, Femme Fatales, which is launching in to its production cycle now.

For the past decade of her life, Fairfield-based filmmaker Maria Tran has devoted her life in making Hong Kong cinema homage action films in her backyard. She and her female led film production company Phoenix Eye will soon be embarking internationally across South East Asia investigating the role of Asian action cinema and the role of women for her self-funded independent documentary titled “Femme Fatales: Seen & Unheard”.

Maria will spend 10 days abroad and her Sydney departure is scheduled in on the 11 November, travelling from Hong Kong to Vietnam and then finally the Philippines and she will be interviewing & interacting with former female action stars, emerging actors, martial artists, film directors, producers and academics who will share their insights and experiences.

“If there’s one thing I would like to add to Australian cinemas, is female-led stories in the martial arts action genre. This project will allow me to connect with some of the world’s most talented, showcase their plight and allow the film industry to see the often-unspoken contributions of women in this male-dominated genre.” Says Maria.

Mike Leeder, who has worked with action megastars such as Jackie Chan, Jet Li, Jean Claude Van Damme and is known as an expert in Asian action cinema is on board this project as associate producer.

“Australia used to have its own brand of genre cinema, action, horror, martial arts and more! Action is international, it doesn't need you to understand the language, the culture or the politics, it’s the cinema of the underdog! We all need a hero or a heroine!” adds Mike.

Tran has long worked behind the scenes in the Australian industry, bringing her talents to larger projects while also directing her own smaller budget indies. Check out the trailer for Australian TV comedy Maximum Choppage and Tran's own short film Hit Girls below for examples of her work!

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