The following is an interview with actor and martial artist Jon Foo regarding his work in the upcoming short film, Duality. The short, written by Sarah Lynn Dawson and directed by Emad Asfoury, centers on a man traveling between different universes against his will. The project will receive its world premiere during a special screening event this month in Los Angeles. In this interview, Fanboy Comics Managing Editor Barbra Dillon chats with Foo about what drew him to the film, the amazing cast and crew involved in the project, the process of approaching a role that requires heavy stunt choreography, and more!
This interview was conducted on June 18, 2014.
Barbra J. Dillon, Fanboy Comics Managing Editor: You are currently starring in the short film Duality. For our readers who may be unfamiliar, can you tell us more about the story behind the film?
Jon Foo: Duality is about a man trapped between two worlds living in two realities, and he’s not sure which one is real. The Director, Emad Asfoury, used a lot of symbolism and very unique shots to make a slightly off reality feel.
BD: What initially intrigued you about the film and enticed you to take on the role?
JF: Sarah Lynn Dawson, who wrote the script, met up with me in Venice and told me her rough idea, which I thought was different and interesting, so I agreed to meet Emad at his studio. He was full of energy about making the movie, and I thought that confidence could make a good movie.
BD: The cast and crew of Duality consist of some amazingly talented creators and performers, including New Age guru Deepak Chopra, who narrates the short film. Can you tell us about the process of working with the creative team and the contributions of these individuals?
JF: Every one was great. We got a lot of footage shot in a small space of time. A lot of the scenes were captured by chance, and Emad liked that spontaneity. Everyone was very quick to adapt to the changes, and we got some very good shots shooting this way.
BD: What was the most exciting element of filming Duality for you, and what are you most looking forward to audiences experiencing with the film?
JF: Switching from the city in a suit, to the desert and back and forth was interesting for me. The movie is thought provoking and very serene . . . I mean Deepak Chopra’s doing narration.
BD: Many of your past credits, including Tekken, Universal Soldiers: Regeneration, and Street Fighter: Legacy, have called upon your martial arts and stunting skills. Do you find that roles requiring a heavy amount of stunts challenge or enhance your approach to the roles?
JF: If it’s an action movie, then the way the guy fights is important, and if you can figure that out, you can figure out a lot of the character’s situation, so that can help the creativity. You just have to know your coordinator or do it yourself.
BD: Are there any particular martial artists or stunt people that have inspired your work?
JF: I’ve seen a lot of action movies, and the guys that stand out would be Bruce Lee, Jackie Chan, Jet Li. Donnie Yen is also doing some really cool stuff.
BD: Being that we focus on all things “geek” at Fanboy Comics, would you care to geek out with us about your favorite action films?
JF: Well, if your gonna geek out, it might as well be Star Wars, The Matrix, and you know what . . . Kung Fu Hustle (Steven Chow) and Indiana Jones.
BD: Lastly, what would you like to tell fans who want to learn more about Duality?
JF: To find out more about Duality, you can follow the Facebook page for all the updates.
