Marko Zaror Rocks Chilean Action Double Feature in Austin

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Marko Zaror, Isaac Florentine with Tim League

Local action film fans enjoyed an extra special double-fisted dose of bone-jarring action at a free screening of Mandrill and Undisputed III: Redemption at Alamo Drafthouse on South Lamar on Friday night. The audience was also treated to a Q&A with Mandrill producer and star Marko Zaror and Isaac Florentine, director of the second and third films in the Undisputed series -- seen above with Fantastic Fest and Alamo Drafthouse founder Tim League.

I enjoyed Mandrill at Fantastic Fest, and it was interesting to see it again with an audience full of action fans. I was disappointed to hear that plans for an American version of Zaror's 2007 action film Mirageman have been scrapped. Zaror alluded to the release of Kick-Ass having an impact on the loss of interest in Hollywood for a film about a hero from the streets that fights only with his fists. Check out a nice photo of Zaror (wearing a Mirageman shirt!) after the jump.

Marko Zaror

Marko Zaror is no stranger to the Alamo Drafthouse -- he premiered Mirageman at Fantastic Fest 2007, appearing at the fest with writer-director Ernesto Diaz Espinoza. In 2009, Zaror and Espinoza returned to the fest with Mandrill, which stars Zaror as a hitman for hire, haunted by the brutal death of his parents. A job becomes more complicated when he meets the daughter of his next hit. Mandrill is an entertaining film, and reminiscent of some of the secret agent ladykiller movies of the 60s and 70s. Check out Zaror and Reymond below in a very familiar lobby from Fantastic Fest 2009.

Marko Zaror and Celine Reymond at Fantastic Fest 2009

I thoroughly enjoyed Undisputed III: Redemption -- often martial arts action films lack character development and depth, but despite not having seen the earlier films in the series I was still engaged and invested in the main characters. Scott Adkins returns as Uri Boyka in the story of eight elite fighters who are prisoners from maximum security prisons around the world. They are brought together by a powerful underground gambling syndicate for a secret, survival-of-the-fiercest battle competition. The champion receives his freedom. However, with millions of dollars at stake for the organizers, there's plenty of underhanded plotting -- and Zaror as the villianous Colombian fighter Dolor.

Director Isaac Florentine spoke during the Q&A about the making of Undisputed III: Redemption, which was shot in just 30 days. "It's the team that makes the movie," he stressed. Florentine stated that his influences were spaghetti westerns, where "America is an idea." Florentine provided insight to his extensive directing role for the popular children TV series Power Rangers. Given carte blanche in his work, he used it as an opportunity to experiment with techniques including one-shot, split screen and false perspective. Florentine referenced his time with Power Rangers as "the lab" for the work he does now.

Undisputed III: Redemption is being released today on DVD, Blu-ray and Video On Demand. Florentine said he hopes people will avoid illegal downloading of the film, which he claims has already occurred and jeopardizes the opportunity for funding of Undisputed 4.

[Photo credits: Marko Zaror, Isaac Florentine, and Tim League at Double Feature, Marko Zaror; Marko Zaror and Celine Reymond at Fantastic Fest 2009, all photos by Debbie Cerda, on Flickr]

Great post!

This was such a fun night!!! I watched UNDSIPUTED II over the weekend, just as good as III. Michael Jai White is fantastic in it and Florentine's direction is just as solid. I also watched the movie Florentine recommended during the Q&A: DRIVE (1997). Very solid action film. A bit goofy at times (RUSH HOUR owes a lot to this film) but solid action.

Thanks!!

I thought that Florentine said "Deep Dive", and was quite confused. thanks for setting that name straight for me, I'll check it out!!