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12/07/05
movieXplosion.com's Ron Smoorenburg interview
Ron Smoorenburg, martial artist, actor, stunt and fight coordinator. Got his big breakthrough when he starred opposite Jackie Chan in Who Am I? Ron delivered an impressive end-fight loaded with extreme high kicks. This end battle is one of Jackie Chan's best fights captured on film. Ron played in several international productions after that, including working with other Hong Kong legends Donny Yen and Corey Yuen.
Ron's next stop... Thailand! Tony Jaa impressed Hollywood and the rest of the world with his action-packed martial arts flick, Ong Bak. His next flick, Tom Yum Goong, will be released soon and fellow Dutchman Ron Smoorenburg got a chance to play one of the baddies in the film. MovieXplosion.com talked to the Fight Master about Tom Yum Goong and his futures plans.
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Why did you move to Thailand?
Well, because of Ong Bak and Tony Jaa. Thailand has also become more interesting than Hong Kong when you look at action films.
How much different is Thailand's film industry compared to The Netherlands and Hong Kong?
Holland doesn't make action movies, it's more drama. Hong Kong is using too much wire-stunts lately. Tony Jaa, is using no wire tricks or CGI. He also goes all the way, he's 100% real. He's very skilled, great technique, doesn't mind to receive punches and kicks.
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What kind of films and commercials did you already do in Thailand?
A commercial with Tony Jaa (see photo), which is being aired in China and Thailand. I play a gang leader who fights Tony Jaa who's got a power boost after eating a Thai fruit.
I've played a role in Tony Jaa's new film Tom Yum Goong. I'm one of the final fights' highlights. Tony's fighting 60 men in this scene.
Also did Japanese and other commercials. Twice for Sumitomi Creditcard, Panasonic, M-Sport in which I played an action figure. I've also starred as gang leader and did the stunts for an American production called Fifth Commandment.
How did you get the part in Tom Yum Goong?
I've managed to get on the set, thanks to a friend of mine, and met the director Prachya Pinkaew. He was very interested and I needed to do a screen-test, an action demo, on the spot! Just like I did on the set of Jackie Chan's Who Am I? back in 1997. With only three days left to film, the director decided to give me a big role in the movie's final fight.
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What's the movie's synopsis and can you give some details about your role?
Tom Yum Goong tells the story of a country boy who tracks down the mafia, responsible for stealing the village's mystical elephants. I play head of security of the location of the last scene.
The trailer for Tom Yum Goong looks very impressive. The fight choreography and stunts reminded me of the Hong Kong and Jackie Chan films of the 80's. You know, real hardcore action, actors and stuntmen who are really getting hit. How did you experience the shoot, are the fights well prepared and did you get hurt?
Filming the sequence was impressive. The fight sequences were all very well prepared and studied months before shooting took place. Also figuring out the camera angles and other technical stuff have been well prepared. Tony's working closely with his stuntteam who knows how to take a hit. I did receive some very powerful kicks but that's part of the job. Tony told me to also hit him hard.
How is it working with Tony Jaa? As a person and also as a martial artist?
He's very original as a martial artist, he's a new superstar. He just goes all the way to make his films. He's very devoted and sincere as a person.
What are your plans for the future? Working again with Tony? Will you stay in Thailand or are you still planning to go to Hollywood?
I sometimes train with Tony's stuntteam. These kind of films aren't being made in America, where it's all special effects and CGI. I'm practicing martial arts my whole life and try to achieve as much as possible in this genre, so I don't want to be replaced by special effects. I just love these kind of martial arts films. Hollywood used to be my dream... but it's all happening in Thailand now!
Ron, thanks for the interview! Good luck with your film projects!
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Related links:
official Ron Smoorenburg website
official Tom Yum Goong website
Written by Reggy 12/07/05
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