INTERVIEW: TONY JAA

02.16.05 By Nick Nunziata
Chud.com

 

Ong Bak is on screens now, and its per screen average was higher than just about everything else in the marketplace. Only on 387 screens, it's reaching people in small bursts but it's the kind of flick you'll want to see before it becomes a monster on video and certainly not because of some Wu-Tang marketing bullshit. It's a cool movie, and you'd better believe the hype for Tony Jaa. He's about my height, but the stuff he can do defies about 62 laws of nature and inertia. While touring the country to promote the film ( Devin's review , Fred's interview ), I spoke to Tony after he did a phenomenal performance as the halftime event during a Hawks/Pacers basketball game . What follows is our conversation as parlayed with the help of a translator.

 

Nick Nunziata: First of all, I'm with the Internet. As a result of the web, everyone had an idea who you were because of the hype that's been building up for Ong Bak . What has the transition been like finding this whole new audience excited about your work before your film even arrives in the states?

Tony Jaa: I'm so proud and happy that people know my work and have kept up with me so much. I can only hope to be a success in Thailand , but now the rest of the world and America . It's just a merit for my life.

 

Nick Nunziata: We're used to over the top unrealistic action movies built on a foundation of special effects. Your work is grounded in realism. How important is it to you to show how little you need in the way of bells and whistles?

Tony Jaa: For Ong Bak , it's the first Thai film that really depicts Muay Thai so it was very important that we didn't use any stunts or doubles of any kind because we wanted to show the movements in a definite manner. These are real movements and they can be done.

 

Nick Nunziata: They can be done by you! They sure as hell can't be done by me!

Tony Jaa laughs. Which is better than him elbowing your head into a blue powder.

 

Nick Nunziata: What I saw at the halftime show at the Hawks game was phenomenal. You made the combat look fluid and effortless. I always hear about the groups that martial artists assemble and how vital they are. How important is your crew to you and how did you assemble them?

Tony Jaa: The group is important. There's always constant training and everyone on the team practices our cues. It's like eating dinner or eating dessert, part of the routine so it's really important we get it right and put our hearts into it.

Nick Nunziata: As far your discipline goes, how long have you been doing Muay Thai and do you practice other disciplines as well?

Tony Jaa: I watched films by Bruce Lee, Jackie Chan and Jet Li since I was a kid and I'd go home and try to practice those moves at home. At home I have two elephants, so whenever I went out with them I'd try to practice with them. I'd jump off their backs and do tricks. My basic training is a mixture of all those martial arts but I also received the basics in Muay Thai from my father who is a Muai Thai boxer as well. After that I had the opportunity to watch Born to Fight , my master's film. One of the first action heroes in Thailand . I had the opportunity to work with him so after I finished high school at the age of 15 I studied with him. I worked my way from working in the crew and working behind the scenes, carrying dollies to becoming a stuntman from watching what they do. Working as a stuntman on Mortal Kombat, out of 100 people I was the one they cast. I took my friends to see Mortal Kombat: Annihilation and I was like that's me, that's really me and no one could see that it was me because I was playing someone else. I wanted them to see that it was me doing these stunts. I put together this project, Ong Bak with my master and we presented it to director Prachya Pinkaew. I also studied at a physical education facility where I learned all of the martial arts moves and preparation for Ong Bak took eight years. Four years of that I went and trained in Muay Thai. I went to an academy and I learned about what to do and how to prepare myself for the film. I usually train for eight hours a day in all different types of martial arts and practice the moves. During that time I come up with new moves and develop new stunts, and practice them.

Nick Nunziata: There's been a discussion about Luc Besson having something to do with the film. When you freeze frame Ong Bak during the cart chase sequence there's a message to Luc Besson on a concrete column. Is it an inside joke or did it have more meaning?

Tony Jaa: It's actually the director's intention, because he's wanted to work with Luc Besson. There's actually two of those in the film, one there and another to Steven Spielberg.

 

Nick Nunziata: Nice! Now I have to watch it another six times.

Tony Jaa: It's the scene in the market where he's on the table doing the spins and after he jumps off you'll see it.

 

Nick Nunziata: This took eight years, which is incredible and shows an incredible amount of dedication. Have you looked at the future? What's next? Follow Jackie Chan and Jet Li across the ocean or continue to grow in Thailand ?

Tony Jaa: I want to develop stronger roots in Thailand first because right now we're in the midst of my new movie, which depicts Muay Thai in a different sense. It's more important to have stronger roots in Thailand first.

 

Nick Nunziata: I wish American filmmakers showed the same restraint. As far as your tastes go, watching how the concept of a martial arts and action films in general are viewed so different here in America . Who do you admire?

Tony Jaa: I like a variety of films because watching all films you get new ideas and there's no specific one where this person is better than that person but if you watch them all you'll get new ideas.

Nick Nunziata: When I was young I was told never to punch someone in their skull because the bones are so strong. Ong Bak has to hold the world record for head punches and it's awesome. How did this onslaught of scalp punching come about? It's very effective to watch.

Tony Jaa: That's the feeling we want viewers to get because when they see that they think it's really scary. Actually we put a lot of preparation and safety precautions in it.

 

Nick Nunziata: Kids are going to see this movie and want to be the next Tony Jaa. What's your advice to youngsters who become interested in martial arts because of this film?

Tony Jaa: First, if you like martial arts it doesn't matter which one you practice as long as you put your heart into it and really love the sport. Second, you have to have the endurance to persevere no matter what obstacles come your way. Also, I have to warn kids of the dangers of doing this and for parents to take precautions. We all train very extensively for these movies and sports and you have to have good training to do these stunts.

Nick Nunziata: Well, I am in awe of your skill and it's been a pleasure to spend time with you.

Tony Jaa: Thank you very much.

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