The Last Kumite
| The Last Kumite | |
|---|---|
| The Last Kumite | |
| Directed by | Ross W. Clarkson |
| Written by | Ross W. Clarkson Sean David Lowe |
| Produced by | Sean David Lowe Wayne A. Graves |
| Starring | Mathis Landwehr Kurt McKinney Billy Blanks |
| Cinematography | Ross W. Clarkson |
| Edited by | Oliver Harper |
| Music by | Paul Hertzog Stan Bush |
Production companies | Loewe Media Capelight Pictures |
| Distributed by | Capelight Pictures MPI Media Group (USA) |
Release dates |
|
Running time | 135 minutes |
| Countries | Germany United States |
| Language | English |
The Last Kumite is a Kickstarter-funded 2024 low-budget martial arts film. It is directed by Ross W. Clarkson[1] with a soundtrack by Paul Hertzog and Stan Bush, who composed for the classic martial arts tournament film Bloodsport. It is an homage to popular action movies of the last century.
Plot[edit]
Martial artist Michael Rivers wins an official martial arts competition, attracting the attention of Ron Hall, a promoter. Hall, also a human trafficker who does business mainly in Eastern Europe, invites Rivers to compete in an underground tournament in Bulgaria for a million dollar prize. Rivers, who has already decided to retire, declines the offer.
Hall needs to recruit challengers to face infamous underground champion Dracko, who is in the habit of crippling and killing his defeated opponents; he kidnaps Rivers' daughter Bree to force him to participate. On Rivers' arrival in Bulgaria, he meets Damon Spears and Lea Martin, other fighters who have been blackmailed out of retirement in a similar manner. They team up to save their family members during the tournament. Other martial artists Master Loren, whose wife was murdered and daughter kidnapped by Ron Hall, "Lightning", and Dracko's former Sensei Julie Jackson prepare Rivers for victory.
Production[edit]
In August 2023, Capelight Pictures released a 4K UHD DVD version of Bloodsport, which included a variety of features.[2] As Bloodsport proved to be still popular, Capelight re-invested some money in a Kickstarter project titled The Last Kumite, "inspired by the likes of Bloodsport, Kickboxer and No Retreat, No Surrender".[3]
Cast[edit]
- Mathis Landwehr as Michael Rivers
- Matthias Hues as Ron Hall
- Kurt McKinney as Damon Spears
- Billy Blanks as Loren
- Cynthia Rothrock as Julie Jackson
- Michel Qissi as Wolf
- David Anthony Kurzhal as Marcus Gantz
- Monia Moula as Lea Martin
- Kira Kortenbach as Bree Rivers
- Mike Derudder aka "Mike D. Vecchio" as Dracko[4]
- Abdel Qissi as Det. Dobrev
Kurt McKinney had previously starred in No Retreat, No Surrender with Jean-Claude Van Damme, while Matthias Hues and Cynthia Rothrock had acted in No Retreat, No Surrender 2. Billy Blanks had previously acted in The King of the Kickboxers. Other actors with ties to classic martial arts tournament films also make appearences in the film, including Michel Qissi (Kickboxer, Bloodsport), Abdel Qissi (Lionheart), and Bolo Yeung's son David Yeung.[5][6] YouTuber David Kurzhal ("Viking Samurai") also appears.[7]
Soundtrack[edit]
Paul Hertzog composed the score, with added songs by Stan Bush. Hertzog described their renewed cooperation as "a bit of a nostalgic nod to Bloodsport and Kickboxer".[8][9]
References[edit]
- ^ "Ross W. Clarkson Profile". FilmAffinity. 26 May 2024. Archived from the original on 26 May 2024. Retrieved 26 May 2024.
- ^ Bona, JJ (4 July 2023). "Bloodsport SteelBook 4K UHD (Capelight Pictures)". cityonfire.com. Archived from the original on 1 June 2024. Retrieved 1 June 2024.
- ^ "First Teaser Trailer for Throwback Martial Arts Movie 'The Last Kumite'". firstshowing.net. 1 June 2024. Archived from the original on 31 May 2024. Retrieved 1 June 2024.
- ^ "Mike D. Vecchio". wrestlingdata.com. 4 June 2023. Archived from the original on 4 June 2024. Retrieved 4 June 2024.
- ^ Godfrey, Jake (13 December 2014). "The Last Kumite: Trailer released for martial arts legends film". filmstories.co.uk. Archived from the original on 30 May 2024. Retrieved 30 May 2024.
- ^ "The Last Kumite". fareastfilms.com. 26 May 2024. Archived from the original on 26 May 2024. Retrieved 26 May 2024.
- ^ "The Last Kumite, 2024". thevikingsamurai.com. 3 June 2024. Archived from the original on 3 June 2024. Retrieved 3 June 2024.
- ^ "News". Paul Hertzog Homepage. 1 June 2024. Archived from the original on 1 June 2024. Retrieved 1 June 2024.
- ^ ""No Surrender" Drops in May, 2024!". Stan Bush Homepage. 16 April 2024. Archived from the original on 1 June 2024. Retrieved 1 June 2024.
